I’ve heard stories about personal insurance bailing if they find out you were logged in, but I wonder how often that really happens.
Yeah, I’ve heard those stories too. My buddy actually got dropped after a fender bender while he was just waiting for a ride request—insurance found out he was logged in and that was it. It’s frustrating because you’re not even making money during that “dead zone,” but you’re still at risk. I wish there was a better solution, honestly.
Honestly, it’s not always as cut and dry as people make it sound. I’ve seen some carriers get pretty strict, but others will actually work with you if you’re upfront about rideshare driving from the start. The real issue is when folks don’t tell their insurer and then get caught logged in—that’s when things go sideways. There are hybrid policies out there now that cover that “dead zone,” but yeah, they’re not cheap. Still beats getting dropped, though...
Is it actually possible to get a hybrid policy that covers you the whole time, even when you’re just waiting for a ride request? I’ve heard those “dead zone” gaps are tricky. Has anyone had to file a claim during that period, and did it go smoothly?
Has anyone had to file a claim during that period, and did it go smoothly?
I totally get the worry about the “dead zone” gaps—insurance feels like it’s designed to confuse us on purpose sometimes. I’m in the middle of this myself, and honestly, it’s like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. From what I’ve been told, some companies do offer hybrid policies that cover you even when you’re just chilling, waiting for a ping. It’s not always cheap, but it exists.
Filing a claim during that “waiting for a ride” period apparently can get messy if you don’t have the right coverage. If you’re like me and just dipping your toes into this rideshare thing, double-check every line of your policy (and maybe keep snacks handy for the headache). You’re not alone in this insurance maze.
Honestly, I’ve seen way too many folks get tripped up by this “between rides” thing. The big issue is most personal auto policies flat-out exclude coverage once you’ve got the app on, even if you haven’t accepted a ride yet. Some rideshare companies toss in minimal liability coverage for that period, but it’s barebones and won’t cover your own car’s damage. If you’re on a budget (aren’t we all?), look at rideshare endorsements—they’re usually cheaper than full commercial policies and plug those gaps pretty well. Just don’t assume your normal policy has your back... most times, it won’t.
