Rideshare insurance isn’t a legal requirement in New York state, but your personal car insurance probably won’t cover you while you’re driving for a rideshare company.
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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Cheapest recent rates in New York for rideshare drivers
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $129/mo for liability only and $196/mo for full coverage in New York.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from New York within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from New York within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Rideshare insurance is a special type of car insurance for drivers who work with transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft. Personal auto insurance policies won’t cover rideshare drivers while on the job, so a rideshare insurance policy fills coverage gaps.
While New York requires all drivers to have car insurance, it doesn’t require rideshare drivers to have rideshare insurance. Many insurers offer rideshare insurance as an affordable add-on. The type of insurance covering rideshare drivers depends on the three driving phases they’re in.
Here’s what rideshare drivers need to know about securing rideshare insurance in New York.
Quick Facts
CSAA is the cheapest rideshare insurer in New York, at $161 per month.
Uber and Lyft offer their own rideshare insurance coverage for drivers.
Rideshare drivers in New York City must have commercial auto insurance.
Cost of rideshare insurance in New York
Rideshare insurance in New York is fairly expensive. Rideshare drivers pay an average of $387 per month for liability coverage and $491 for full coverage. The table below shows the cheapest rideshare insurance companies in New York.
Insurance Company
▲▼
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
▲▼
CSAA
$161
Safeco
$205
Liberty Mutual
$238
Progressive
$299
Erie
$402
USAA
$419
Travelers
$490
Bristol West
$496
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Best rideshare insurance companies in New York
Below are three of the best rideshare insurance companies for different types of New York drivers. Each offers different benefits and prices, so it’s important to compare multiple policies and prioritize what’s important to you. Your rates will also vary based on your driving record, age, and where you live.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.6 /10
4.5
Best choiceBased on 1,680 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about CSAA
Drivers appreciate the competitive rates and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of communication and the recent price increases.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
AAA members
Customer service
Membership perks
How drivers feel about CSAA
Drivers appreciate the competitive rates and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of communication and the recent price increases.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
AAA members
Customer service
Membership perks
Reviews (458)
John
December 18, 2024
Verified Review
Good Until an Accident Occurs!
Ensure to verify all coverage completely to avoid any discrepancies!
Sigryd
December 17, 2024
Verified Review
Excellent
They are able to help and are very professional.
Joel
December 17, 2024
Verified Review
Insurance Costs
For the few miles we drive each year, the cost is high, and they are not alone in this. I have never had two payments that were the same. Every six-month renewal comes with an increase.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NR
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.75
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Why we picked this company
Liability only: $161
Full coverage: $242
CSAA offers New York drivers the most affordable rideshare insurance coverage, and it’s the best option for drivers looking to save money on a policy. CSAA covers drivers during gaps in coverage in the different rideshare phases, ensuring drivers aren’t ever unprotected.
Pros
Fewer-than-average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Rideshare insurance available as an add-on
Cons
Must be a AAA member to be eligible for coverage
Insurance partners and coverage vary based on location
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.3 /10
4.5
Best choiceBased on 765 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Safeco
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cash back for being claims free
Optional coverages
Diminishing deductible
How drivers feel about Safeco
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cash back for being claims free
Optional coverages
Diminishing deductible
Reviews (427)
William
December 16, 2024
Verified Review
Fair
The policy rate increased at the beginning of the coverage.
Scott
December 15, 2024
Verified Review
Retired senior facing affordability issues
My rate has increased by 60% in 2 years despite having no accidents. Just like with Netflix, I'm considering leaving due to this.
Elliot
December 9, 2024
Verified Review
Current Insurance
Even though our vehicles are aging and we haven't had any claims, our insurance costs keep rising.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NR
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.08
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Why we picked this company
Liability only: $205
Full coverage: $233
Safeco is one of the best options for rideshare drivers who want flexibility and the ability to customize their policies. It offers the Safeco Auto RideSharing Coverage add-on to ensure riders are covered while waiting for a ride. Safeco is also one of the more affordable options, according to Insurify data.
Pros
Customizable policies
Accident forgiveness available
Cons
Availability varies by state
Higher-than-average number of complaints on the NAIC index
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.7 /10
3.6
A solid optionBased on 2,714 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Liberty Mutual
Drivers appreciate the initial low prices, quick claims handling, and easy account access but dislike the significant price increases over time.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
New and financed vehicles
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about Liberty Mutual
Drivers appreciate the initial low prices, quick claims handling, and easy account access but dislike the significant price increases over time.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
New and financed vehicles
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (1,585)
Searle
December 19, 2024
Verified Review
Fair
They don't give you any discounts.
Kenneth
December 19, 2024
Verified Review
Steer Clear of This Greedy Insurer
Steer clear of this company. They continue to raise rates regardless of how safe a driver you are.
Jerry
December 18, 2024
Verified Review
Good but Costly
Be prepared for your policy payments to jump to almost a car payment!
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
798
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
3.95
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Why we picked this company
Liability only: $238
Full coverage: $354
Liberty Mutual is one of the best rideshare insurance options for drivers in New York looking to utilize discounts. The insurer offers a variety of ways to reduce your policy costs, including claims-free, violation-free, multi-car, multi-policy, and paperless policy discounts.
Pros
Numerous available discounts
AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent)
Cons
Coverage varies by location
Low rating in customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
Rideshare insurance requirements in New York
Rideshare drivers in New York must have the following coverages before beginning to drive with a transportation network company (TNC) such as Uber or Lyft:[1]
New York state’s minimum liability coverage
Personal injury protection coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage
Financial responsibility coverage through their TNC
The insurance that kicks in in the event of the claim depends on which of the three phases of the rideshare process the driver is in.
Phase 1
Phase 1 is when the driver uses their vehicle for personal use, and the rideshare app is turned off. If you’re in an accident during this phase, your personal auto insurance policy will cover the damages.
Phase 2
Phase 2 is when the driver has turned on the app and is waiting for someone to request a ride. During this phase, rideshare companies provide limited liability coverage, typically in the following amounts:[2]
$100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
$25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage
Rideshare insurance can cover any potential gaps your TNC insurance doesn’t cover.
Phase 3
Phase 3 is after the driver accepts a ride and is heading to the pickup location or driving the passenger to the dropoff location. During this phase, Uber and Lyft provide extensive coverage:
$1 million in bodily injury and property damage liability coverage
Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage (if your personal policy has these)
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Personal injury protection and medical expenses coverage
Medical payments coverage
Both Uber and Lyft have a deductible of $2,500.[2][3] While New York state doesn’t require you to have rideshare insurance, it can be useful in covering some gaps not covered by your TNC. If you don’t have it and get into an accident while waiting for a ride, your out-of-pocket expenses could end up being quite high.
Requirements to drive for Uber and Lyft in New York
Rideshare drivers in New York must meet certain requirements for themselves and their vehicles before hitting the road. Here’s what to expect in New York state and New York City.
Rideshare car requirements
Uber drivers’ cars in New York State must:
Have at least four doors and be a car or minivan
Have four seats with seat belts
Be 16 years old or newer
Be in good condition with no cosmetic damage
Not have any commercial branding
Lyft drivers’ cars in New York State must:
Have four doors
Be from 2007 or later
Have five to eight seat belts
Not be a taxi, limo, or non-Express Drive rental vehicle
Not be titled as salvage, non-repairable, or rebuilt
Uber drivers’ cars in New York City must:
Have at least four doors and be a car or minivan
Be six years old or newer if driving for Uber Black
Pass an emissions inspection
Be in good condition with no cosmetic damage
Not have any commercial branding
Lyft drivers’ cars in New York City must:
Have four doors
Be from 2007 or later with approved TLC inspection
Have five to eight seat belts
Not be on the list of ineligible subcompact vehicles
Have New York or New Jersey plates
Rideshare driver requirements
Uber drivers in New York State must:
Be at least 25 years old
Have a current New York driver’s license
Have a valid registration
Have at least one year of driving experience in the U.S.
Have proof of insurance for your rideshare vehicle
Pass a background check
Have a photo of yourself
Lyft drivers in New York State must:
Be at least 25 years old
Have a valid New York State driver’s license
Pass a driver screening
Have a smartphone
Have a valid registration
Have personal vehicle insurance
Have a photo of yourself
Uber drivers in New York City must:
Be at least 19 years old
Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
Have a valid Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) driver’s license
Have a valid TLC-licensed vehicle
Have proof of residency
Have at least one year of driving experience in the U.S.
Have a valid registration
Have proof of commercial insurance for your rideshare vehicle
Pass an Uber safety screening
Have a photo of yourself
Visit the NYC Greenlight Hub
Lyft drivers in New York City must:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a valid New York State driver’s license
Have a valid TLC driver’s license
Pass a driver screening
Have a smartphone
Have a valid registration
Have personal vehicle insurance
Have a photo of yourself
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Types of rideshare insurance coverage
While New York doesn’t require drivers to have rideshare insurance, your insurance company may require it, and it can still be useful coverage even if it doesn’t. Coverages may differ by company, but typical coverage options include:
Liability coverage
Liability insurance covers costs for bodily injury and property damage for the other party if you’re in an accident. Most states require drivers to carry it.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage protects drivers if they’re hit by a driver without insurance or one who doesn’t have sufficient insurance. It covers medical bills and repair costs that the at-fault driver can’t cover.
Collision and comprehensive coverage
Collision coverage pays for repair costs for the driver’s vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault. Comprehensive coverage covers non-collision damages, such as vandalism, theft, or severe weather, such as hail. When combined with liability insurance, these three coverages comprise a full-coverage car insurance policy.
Deductible options
Insurers offer drivers choices for what they want to pay as a deductible. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums, while lower deductibles mean higher premiums.
Rideshare insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about how rideshare insurance works in New York, look at these answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about rideshare insurance in the Empire State.
Do you need rideshare insurance in New York?
No. You don’t need rideshare insurance in New York. But it can be useful in filling coverage gaps.
Do Uber drivers in New York have to carry commercial auto insurance?
Uber drivers in New York state don’t need to carry commercial auto insurance, but drivers in New York City must have a TLC commercial auto insurance policy.
Do you really need rideshare insurance if you have personal auto insurance?
While you don’t need rideshare insurance if you have personal auto insurance, it can be helpful in filling coverage gaps between your personal auto policy and your Uber or Lyft coverage.
What happens if you get into an accident while ridesharing without insurance?
If you get into a car accident while ridesharing without insurance, you could face significant out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, driving without insurance is illegal in New York, so you could face additional fines and penalties and could even lose your license.
Does DoorDash count as rideshare for insurance?
Depending on the insurer, yes, DoorDash counts as rideshare for insurance. Talk to an agent to see how the company views delivery drivers.
How does a rideshare insurance claim work?
A rideshare insurance claim works in different ways, depending on which phase of ridesharing you were in during the incident. First, report the incident to your rideshare company. It’ll assess your eligibility for coverage under its policies.
If you’re not covered, you’ll need to turn to your personal or rideshare insurance for coverage. Call your insurance agent and explain what happened to move forward with your claim.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Danny is a Brooklyn-based writer with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance. A former editor at Insurify, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.
Danny has been a contributor at Insurify since March 2022.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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