When do you need rideshare insurance in Pennsylvania?
The state of Pennsylvania doesn’t require Uber and Lyft drivers to buy a separate rideshare policy. Under the state’s Act 164, rideshare companies already carry insurance on your behalf once you turn on the app.[1]
Your personal insurer can deny a claim or cancel your coverage if you drive for a rideshare company.
Also, rideshare company insurance coverage has limitations. It may not pay to repair your vehicle if you have an accident while you’re waiting for a ride request.
Rideshare insurance requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania drivers must carry at least the state’s 15/30/5 minimum liability coverage on a personal auto policy.[2] Your auto policy generally doesn’t cover you when you’re logged in to a rideshare app, unless you also have a rideshare endorsement.
Under Pennsylvania’s Act 164, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have to insure their drivers when they’re logged in to the app. The coverage available through these Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) is lower while you wait for a ride request.
Pennsylvania also requires first-party medical benefits coverage during both the waiting and driving phases. Because Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, this means you file injury claims through your own insurance, no matter who caused the accident.[3]
As a result, your medical expenses may be covered by your policy, the rideshare company’s policy, or both.
While you’re waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company’s insurance covers injuries and damage you cause to other people, but not damage to your own vehicle. Your personal policy usually won’t cover you while the rideshare app is on, which could leave you with a coverage gap.
Adding a rideshare endorsement to your policy ensures you’re covered, regardless of which driving phase you’re in.
Here’s how rideshare coverage works in Pennsylvania, depending on the app status.
App Status | Personal Insurance Applies? | Coverage Pennsylvania Requires | Uber/Lyft coverage | Rideshare Endorsement Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off (Phase 1) | Yes | $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury liability; $25,000 property damage | None | No |
| On: Waiting for a ride request (Phase 2) | No, not without a rideshare endorsement | $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury liability; $25,000 property damage | $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury liability; $25,000 property damage | Yes |
| On: Driving to pick up or carrying a passenger (Phase 3) | No, not without a rideshare endorsement | At least $500,000 combined liability | $1 million liability | Yes |
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Cost of rideshare insurance in Pennsylvania
Rideshare drivers in Pennsylvania pay an average of about $262 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data. That’s roughly $50 more than the national average of $212 per month for a rideshare policy with full coverage.
It’s also substantially higher than Pennsylvania’s average rate of $161 per month, according to Insurify data. One contributing factor to the state’s higher insurance rates may be its first-party medical benefit requirement, which gives drivers another layer of coverage.
The table below shows average monthly rates in Pennsylvania for full-coverage rideshare insurance.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $80 | $132 |
| National General | $92 | $201 |
| Erie | $93 | $154 |
| First Acceptance | $96 | $241 |
| Auto-Owners | $100 | $166 |
| Progressive | $106 | $241 |
| Allstate | $108 | $193 |
| The General | $109 | $397 |
| Travelers | $121 | $201 |
| GEICO | $125 | $209 |
| Safeco | $130 | $209 |
| Direct Auto | $132 | $262 |
| Bristol West | $146 | $270 |
| USAA | $162 | $272 |
| Root | $170 | $275 |
| Dairyland | $177 | $434 |
| Chubb | $188 | $313 |
| GAINSCO | $203 | $362 |
| Liberty Mutual | $203 | $235 |
| State Auto | $219 | $363 |
| CSAA | $265 | $395 |
Best rideshare insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Several insurers let you add rideshare coverage to your standard car insurance policy, which may be cheaper than purchasing a more expensive commercial policy.
Learn more about three of the best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania for rideshare drivers, whether you’re looking for low rates, low deductibles and deductible reimbursements, or the best coverage options. We chose the following companies based on their prices, customer satisfaction, and IQ Scores.
State Farm: Best for low rates
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score 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. | 9.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $50/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $82/mo |
State Farm's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.7 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.7 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
State Farm has the lowest average rideshare rate in Pennsylvania. At $135 per month for full coverage, State Farm’s rate is just over half the state’s average of $262. You can add its Transportation Network Company Driver Coverage to your personal auto policy. This lets you extend your existing coverage when you’re rideshare driving.
Cheapest average rideshare rates in Pennsylvania
High IQ Score
Personalized service from local agents
Liability coverage stops once you accept a ride
Rideshare coverage adds 15%–20% to your premium
More National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints than average
Allstate: Best for low deductibles
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score 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. | 8.9 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $67/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $120/mo |
Allstate's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 3.9 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 3.9 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.6 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.6 | 2.9 |
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service and efficient claims processing, but many find the rates too high and experience unexpected price increases. Some also report poor communication from agents.
Pennsylvania rideshare drivers can add Allstate’s Ride for Hire coverage to a personal auto policy. This endorsement helps bridge the coverage gap when you’re in between trip phases. If you have a claim, it can also help pay the difference between your policy’s deductible and the rideshare company’s deductible. TNC comprehensive and collision deductibles are typically $2,500.
Can reduce the driver’s share of a rideshare claim
Quotes available online, by phone, or with a local agent
High IQ Score
Pays for car repairs only if you already carry full coverage
Can be more expensive than competitors
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
Progressive: Best for coverage options
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 648 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score 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. | 8.7 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $66/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $150/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
Unlike some companies, Progressive extends your personal collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and medical payments coverage when you’re logged in and waiting for a ride request. Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement from your personal policy also remain in effect after you pick up a passenger.
Extended collision and comprehensive coverage
High IQ Score
Covers food delivery services like DoorDash
May be more expensive than competitors
Requires all rideshare drivers to add the endorsement
Only extends coverage already on your policy
Rideshare insurance FAQs
Rideshare insurance is optional for Pennsylvania Uber and Lyft drivers, but it can provide protection against coverage gaps.
What’s the difference between rideshare and commercial auto insurance in Pennsylvania?
A rideshare endorsement is an add-on to your personal policy that helps cover part-time driving for Uber or Lyft. Commercial auto insurance, on the other hand, is a separate policy designed for vehicles used primarily for work or business.
Who pays after an Uber or Lyft accident in Pennsylvania?
It depends on several factors. If another driver caused the accident, that driver’s insurance generally pays. But if you caused the accident, coverage depends on your driving status at the time. If you’re not logged in to the rideshare app, your personal auto policy applies.
If you’re logged in and waiting for a ride request, Uber or Lyft covers injuries and damage you cause to others up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage. Once you accept a ride request or have a passenger in your vehicle, the rideshare company’s $1 million policy applies.
Who can file a claim after a rideshare accident in Pennsylvania?
Passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and the rideshare driver can all file claims after a rideshare accident in the Keystone State. Which insurer pays depends on who was at fault and the driver’s app status at the time of the accident.
What are the requirements for rideshare insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s Act 164 requires rideshare drivers to carry $50,000 in liability coverage per person and $100,000 per accident while logged in to the app and waiting for a ride request. Once you accept a request, that requirement increases to $500,000. Insurance through rideshare services meets those coverage requirements.
Do you need additional insurance to drive for Lyft or Uber in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania law doesn’t require you to purchase rideshare coverage. But adding a rideshare endorsement extends your existing coverage while you’re driving for a rideshare platform.
If you’re involved in an accident while driving for Lyft or Uber and don’t have a rideshare endorsement, your insurer may not cover your damages, even if you have a full-coverage policy.[4]
Sources
- Pennsylvania General Assembly. "2016 Act 164."
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. "Auto & Motorcycle Insurance."
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department. "Automobile Insurance Guide."
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department. "Thinking about driving for a company like Uber or Lyft?."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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 500+ 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
- 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.
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