Insurance is such a maze, right? I’ve got a newer Benz and every time I try to read through my policy, it feels like I need a law degree just to figure out what’s actually covered. The “between trips” thing is especially confusing. Like, if you’re logged into the app but haven’t accepted a ride yet, are you technically working? Or just driving around with a phone on your dash? I’ve heard some companies only give you the bare minimum coverage in that window, which honestly feels a bit sketchy considering how much they advertise “full protection.”
I get wanting to save money, but I’m always worried about those weird gray areas. What if you’re just waiting for a ping and someone rear-ends you? Is it your personal insurance, or does the rideshare company step in? I’ve asked my agent and even they seemed a little unsure, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Maybe laminated cheat sheets are the answer, or at least an app that translates insurance-ese into normal human language. Until then, I guess it’s just hoping for the best and keeping my fingers crossed I never have to find out the hard way.
That “between trips” window is honestly one of the trickiest parts of rideshare insurance. You’re right—most companies only offer liability coverage when you’re waiting for a ride, and it’s usually the state minimums. Comprehensive and collision? Usually not included unless you’ve actually accepted a trip. It’s wild how much fine print there is, and I’ve had agents give me different answers too. I keep a printout in my glovebox just in case, but even then, it feels like a gamble. You’re definitely not alone in feeling uneasy about those gray areas.
It’s wild how much of a gray area this is. I’ve dug through policy docs and even called my agent, but the answers always seem to shift depending on who you talk to. Liability-only during that “app on, no passenger” phase just feels like a loophole waiting to bite you, especially if you’re driving something you actually care about. I mean, if you get rear-ended while waiting for a ping, and your car’s worth more than a few grand, you’re basically out of luck unless you’ve got some kind of gap coverage or your personal policy doesn’t exclude rideshare (which most do).
Has anyone actually tried filing a claim in that window? I’ve heard stories where people got denied because the insurer said they were “on the clock,” but then the rideshare company only covered the other driver. It’s almost like they want us to miss something in the fine print. Makes me wonder if it’s even possible to get truly comprehensive coverage for those in-between moments, or if we’re all just rolling the dice every time we log in.
It’s almost like they want us to miss something in the fine print. Makes me wonder if it’s even possible to get truly comprehensive coverage for those in-between moments, or if we’re all just...
Yeah, that “liability-only during that ‘app on, no passenger’ phase” thing is sketchy. I got sideswiped once while waiting for a ping and my personal insurance flat-out refused to help. Rideshare only paid for the other car. Felt like a total setup. I ended up paying out of pocket for my own repairs. Honestly, I don’t think there’s a foolproof way to cover yourself unless you shell out for a rideshare-friendly policy, which isn’t cheap. Makes me think twice about even logging in some days.
I ended up paying out of pocket for my own repairs.
Yeah, I get what you mean. That “liability-only during that ‘app on, no passenger’ phase” thing is sketchy. It’s like they’re counting on us not reading the fine print. I’ve looked into those rideshare add-ons, but the price is wild. Still, better safe than sorry, I guess... Even if it stings the wallet.
