You should be. Do you know if you are covered by insurance when you opt to ride-share under Uber, Lyft, Sidecar or the like? Under whose policy? And do you have a policy of your own covering you? Florida legislators recently took up the issue of insurance regulations governing ride-sharing companies to ensure the utmost safety of both passengers and drivers while ride-sharing. Effective July 1, ride-sharing companies are now required to carry $100,000 for bodily injury and death as well as $25,000 for property damage while a ride-share driver is working for the company but without a passenger in the vehicle at the time. Drivers, likewise, are required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in coverage, which kicks in once a passenger has entered the vehicle for a ride-share. 

The intent of these regulations is to ensure ample coverage in the event of an accident during a shared ride. While these regulations are designed to offer you adequate coverage if you are in a ride-share accident, the absolute best way to ensure you are covered at any time while riding in a vehicle is to carry adequate UM coverage. UM coverage, which stands for “uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage”—protects you when the driver of the other vehicle involved in an accident does not have any or does not have enough insurance. When people drive without bodily injury (BI) insurance or do not carry enough coverage to pay all of the expenses and damages they cause in an accident, UM insurance will cover the cost of your injuries. 

The best way for you to ensure you have adequate coverage in case of an accident, no matter who is driving, is to make sure you are uber-insured by carrying adequate UM coverage. If you have questions about your insurance, your amounts of coverage or your rights as a policyholder, contact us. We deal with insurance disputes on a daily basis and are happy to sit down and have an initial consultation with you, at no cost, to explain your policy and answer questions about your insurance coverage. Give us a call at (850) 438-4899, email us at [email protected] or learn more about automobile insurance and your rights via our website at www.twwlawfirm.com/car-accidents. 

Photo by ManhattanInstitute.org