Rideshare Insurance in Virginia (2024)

If you drive for a rideshare company in Virginia, your personal insurance won’t provide sufficient coverage.

Christy Rakoczy
Written byChristy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy

Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.

Christy has been a contributor at Insurify since August 2023.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Featured in

media logomedia logo

Updated December 19, 2024

Save up to $852 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

Excellent
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate
Advertiser Disclosure

At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.

Cheapest recent rates in Virginia for rideshare drivers

Recent Virginia car insurance prices for Mazda, Chevrolet, Subaru , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Virginia 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 Virginia 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.

People driving for rideshare or transportation network companies (TNCs) like Lyft and Uber must buy rideshare insurance because a personal car insurance policy doesn’t provide sufficient coverage. Not all Virginia auto insurers offer rideshare insurance, but many do.

Per Virginia law, TNCs must require drivers to have insurance that covers them from when they accept a ride request to the end of the transaction, as well as between when they log on and off but aren’t driving. Rideshare drivers must have liability insurance with higher limits than Virginia’s minimum requirements.[1]

Here’s what you need to know about how rideshare insurance works in the state and what insurers to consider buying coverage from.

Quick Facts
  • Auto-Owners, State Farm, and GEICO offer the cheapest full-coverage insurance in Virginia, on average.

  • Rideshare companies can satisfy the state’s TNC insurance requirements by providing coverage for or confirming partner drivers have sufficient coverage in place.

  • Coverage requirements are different for drivers who have logged in to the TNC app but aren’t driving a passenger versus when they’re driving with a passenger in the vehicle.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Virginia

Full-coverage insurance rates start at $60 per month

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

How much does Virginia rideshare insurance cost?

Auto insurance premiums in Virginia vary based on driving record, vehicle, city, ZIP code, insurance company, and more. Many rideshare drivers may choose to purchase full-coverage insurance with an additional rideshare endorsement.

The table below shows the cheapest average monthly quotes for full-coverage auto insurance available to Virginia drivers from companies offering rideshare insurance.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage
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.
Auto-Owners$769
State Farm$799
GEICO$1059
USAA$1059
Chubb$1157
Erie$1209
Clearcover$1367
Nationwide$1379
Allstate$1659
Mercury$1708
Progressive$1818
CSAA$1988
Elephant$1998
Travelers$2209
Direct Auto$2237
Safeco$2338
National General$2337
Bristol West$2955
Liberty Mutual$2998
GAINSCO$3147
AssuranceAmerica$3315
Dairyland$3647
The General$4107
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.

Rideshare insurance requirements in Virginia

Virginia laws for rideshare insurance vary depending on what phase of use you’re in with the rideshare app. Here’s what you need to know.

Phase 1

When you drive your vehicle for personal use with the rideshare app turned off, your personal auto policy covers your vehicle. You must meet the state’s ordinary minimum coverage requirements applicable to all drivers of personal vehicles.[2]

This includes $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $20,000 per accident for property damage liability, and equal amounts of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.[3]

Phase 2

This phase begins the moment you log into a TNC’s digital platform and ends when you accept a request to transport a passenger. During this time, Virginia requires a minimum of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 per accident in property damage liability.

Rideshare drivers can buy insurance to meet this requirement as long as the TNC verifies the policy is in effect and covers ridesharing. Otherwise, the TNC can maintain the necessary insurance on the driver’s behalf.

Phase 3

The moment you accept a pre-arranged ride on a TNC platform, this phase begins. And it lasts until the ride is complete or you complete the transaction on the TNC’s digital platform. Drivers must have a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance for death, bodily injury, and property damage. Rideshare drivers or the TNC can fulfill this requirement as outlined in Phase 2.

Cheapest recent rates in Virginia for rideshare drivers

Recent Virginia car insurance prices for Subaru, Toyota, Chevrolet , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users 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 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.

Uber and Lyft requirements in Virginia

Both Uber and Lyft impose certain vehicle and driver requirements before a motorist can begin working as a rideshare driver in the state of Virginia. Here’s what you need to know about minimum requirements for drivers and vehicles in Virginia.

Rideshare car requirements

People applying to drive for Uber or Lyft must prove they have an eligible vehicle that meets the company’s specific requirements.

  • Must have four doors

  • 16-year-old vehicle or newer

  • Good condition with no cosmetic damage

  • No commercial branding

  • Within 30 days of the first trip, drivers must provide proof of a Virginia state vehicle safety inspection completed in the last 12 months[4]

  • 2007 or newer in all cities except Fredericksburg

  • 2009 or newer vehicle in Fredericksburg

  • Must have four doors

  • Must have five to eight seats, including the driver’s

  • No taxis, stretch limousines, or non-Express Drive rental vehicles

Not titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt, or an equivalent[5]

Rideshare driver requirements

Before TNC companies approve you to drive for the company, you need to prove that you meet certain eligibility requirements as a driver.

  • Meet the minimum age to drive in your city

  • Have at least one year of driving experience with a license

  • Pass a background screening

  • Have an eligible form of transportation

Submit required documents (including your driver’s license, proof of residency, and a photo of yourself)[6]

  • Have a valid Virginia driver’s license (a temporary or out-of-state license from Washington, D.C., or Maryland is also acceptable)

  • Be at least 25 years old

  • Complete a driver screening (includes a driving history review and criminal background check)

  • Have three or fewer minor violations in the past three years

  • Have a smartphone that can download and run the Lyft driver app

Types of rideshare insurance coverage

It’s important to understand the types of rideshare insurance coverage you can purchase. Here’s what you need to know:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/f2ca9fa443/protection-for-passengers.svg

    Liability coverage

    If you injure or kill someone or damage someone’s property while driving a vehicle for rideshare, liability insurance kicks in to cover the resulting medical bills and repair costs. It can also cover potential legal bills.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

    In case of an accident caused by a driver without insurance or with too little insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help pay for the costs of your injury or vehicle damage.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/169fdfde11/liability-coverage.svg

    Collision coverage

    If your vehicle needs repair or replacement after an accident, collision insurance can cover it, regardless of fault. This applies to collisions with another vehicle or an animal, or even a single-car crash.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive coverage

    Comprehensive coverage pays out if a non-collision incident causes damage to your vehicle. Potentially covered incidents include severe weather, vandalism, and falling trees.

You should also carefully consider your deductible, which is the amount you must pay out of pocket for a covered claim before insurance kicks in. Liability insurance doesn’t have a deductible, but collision and comprehensive coverages do. Setting a higher deductible will result in lower premiums. But you should always make sure you can comfortably afford it.

Rideshare insurance FAQs

If you plan to drive for Uber or Lyft in Virginia, you need to make sure you have the right amount of coverage for your personal and professional car usage. The information below should help answer any of your remaining questions.

  • Do Uber drivers in Virginia have to carry commercial auto insurance?

    Virginia law indicates that a rideshare driver’s insurance can satisfy minimum coverage requirements only if the driver’s auto insurance policy contains an amendment or endorsement indicating it specifically applies to ridesharing.

    If a driver doesn’t have the required coverage, the TNC is responsible for providing liability insurance coverage for when the driver logs into the app but hasn’t accepted any rides and when the driver has accepted a ride or is actively transporting a passenger.

  • Do you really need rideshare insurance if you have personal auto insurance?

    Personal auto insurance policies typically exclude coverage for commercial use, including ridesharing. Virginia requires drivers to meet one set of coverage requirements when they’ve logged into the app but haven’t accepted a ride and another set between when they’ve accepted and completed a ride.

  • What happens if you get into a car accident while ridesharing without insurance?

    Uber and Lyft must provide rideshare insurance coverage if the driver doesn’t have the required minimum coverage in place. Liability insurance from Uber or Lyft will pay for damages you cause to others.

  • Does DoorDash count as rideshare for insurance?

    It depends. Rideshare insurance from some companies, like Progressive, covers drivers who use delivery services such as DoorDash or UberEats. DoorDash also provides third-party liability insurance that covers the delivery service period.

  • How does a rideshare insurance claim work?

    The process of filing a rideshare insurance claim depends on the circumstances. In Virginia, the driver’s rideshare insurance or the TNC’s third-party insurance will cover the claim. The third-party insurance maintained by the TNC becomes operative as soon as the driver actively logs into the TNC platform.

Sources

  1. Virginia Law Library. "§ 46.2-2099.52. TNC insurance.."
  2. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements."
  3. Virginia Law Library. "§ 38.2-2206. Uninsured motorist insurance coverage.."
  4. Uber. "Vehicle Requirements."
  5. Lyft. "Virginia Driver Information."
  6. Uber. "Become a rideshare driver in Williamsburg, VA."
Christy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy

Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.

Christy has been a contributor at Insurify since August 2023.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Featured in

media logomedia logo

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Latest Articles

View all