I’ve wondered about that too—whether these add-ons are just a way to squeeze more money out of us. But then again, I’ve actually heard of a guy in my car club who got into a fender bender while logged into his rideshare app but not on an active trip. His regular insurance tried to deny the claim, saying he was “working,” and the rideshare company said it wasn’t their problem since he didn’t have a passenger. He ended up stuck in the middle for weeks.
I get why people think it’s scare tactics, but there really does seem to be this weird gray area where nobody wants to take responsibility. Do you think it’s worth rolling the dice, or is peace of mind better? I keep thinking if it happened to me with my old Mustang, I’d be losing sleep over it. The fine print just makes everything so much more confusing... Why can’t they just make it clear-cut?
The fine print just makes everything so much more confusing... Why can’t they just make it clear-cut?
Honestly, it’s not just confusion—it’s risk. Here’s how I see it:
- Most personal auto policies *explicitly* exclude coverage when you’re “working” (even if you’re just logged in and waiting).
- Rideshare company insurance only kicks in when you’re matched or have a passenger—period.
- That “between trips” gap? It’s real, and it’s where people get burned.
Rolling the dice might save you a few bucks now, but one bad day and you could be out thousands. Read the exclusions, not just the sales pitch. Peace of mind isn’t cheap, but neither is an uninsured claim.
That “between trips” window is where things get tricky, for sure. Here’s how I usually break it down for folks:
1. If you’re just driving around with the app off, your personal auto policy applies (assuming you have one).
2. The second you turn the app on—even if you’re just waiting for a ping—most personal policies stop covering you. That’s where the gap starts.
3. Rideshare companies usually offer limited liability coverage during this period, but it’s bare-bones. Think: it might cover damage you cause to others, but not your own car. And there’s often a high deductible.
4. Once you accept a ride or have a passenger, the rideshare company’s full coverage kicks in.
A lot of people don’t realize that “waiting for a ride” isn’t really covered by their own insurance or the rideshare company’s comprehensive plan. I’ve seen drivers get stuck with big repair bills because they assumed they were protected the whole time. If you’re doing rideshare regularly, it’s worth looking into a rideshare endorsement or a hybrid policy. Not every insurer offers them, but it can save a ton of headaches down the road. The fine print is a pain, but it’s there for a reason...
That “between trips” period is honestly where a lot of drivers get blindsided. I’ve actually read some insurance contracts that specifically exclude coverage the second you’re “available” for hire—even if you’re just parked waiting for a ride request. That’s a huge risk, especially since rideshare company liability doesn’t touch your own car’s repairs unless you’re on an actual trip. Has anyone here tried getting a rideshare endorsement added to their policy? Curious if it was a hassle or if it actually made a difference when filing a claim.
I’ve actually had a different experience with the whole rideshare endorsement thing. I was super wary after reading all those horror stories about drivers getting stuck with bills during that “between trips” window, so I called my agent and pushed for the endorsement. Honestly, it wasn’t as much of a hassle as I expected—just a few extra bucks a month and some paperwork. But here’s the kicker: when I got rear-ended while waiting for a ping, my insurer still tried to claim I was “on the app” and wanted the rideshare company to step in first. Took weeks of back and forth before they finally paid out for my bumper.
I get why people feel blindsided, but I’m not convinced the endorsement is a magic bullet. The fine print is wild, and it feels like both the insurer and the rideshare company want to pass the buck if they can. Maybe it’s better than nothing, but I wouldn’t bank on it being seamless if you ever need to file a claim. Just my two cents from the trenches.
