Fact-Checked: Why Trust Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima Am I covered by Lyft for Uninsured or Underinsured (UM/UIM) Motorist Insurance Coverage when I ride in a Lyft vehicle in Ohio? The answer is maybe. Currently, Ohio law does not require Lyft to purchase (UM/UIM) insurance for the Lyft driver or for their passengers.
Under Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3937.18(A), any policy of insurance in Ohio that insures against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury or death suffered by any person arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle, MAY, but is NOT required to, include Uninsured motorist coverage, Underinsured motorist coverage, or both. Ohio does not require insurance companies to offer Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage to their auto policies.
Does Lyft Provide UM/UIM Coverage?
Companies like Lyft and individual drivers can purchase UM/UIM coverage in Ohio, but they need to ask for this coverage, it is not automatically a part of the policy coverage. Lyft and its drivers can purchase this coverage at any time. If you or someone you know is injured while in a Lyft, it is critical that the policy in effect on the injury date is reviewed for coverage.
Lyft may or may not purchase UM/UIM coverage for their drivers, for their drivers’ vehicles or passengers. See the declaration page for Lyft coverage in the United States, in the blog link– https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/all/sections/7785907295-insurance-and-required-documents.
Lyft purchases liability coverage to protect their drivers if they cause a collision. But, if the Lyft driver is not at fault, the Lyft passenger’s claim is against the at fault driver’s insurance. If the at fault driver has no liability insurance, then the Lyft passenger may or may not have UM/UIM coverage paid for by Lyft. It varies by State.
If Lyft does not purchase UM/UIM coverage, a Lyft passenger may have other insurance coverage available. There are other automobile policies to review for coverage, including the Lyft driver’s and the passenger’s automobile insurance coverage.
Can The Lyft Driver Purchase UM/UIM Coverage?
The answer is yes. The Lyft driver can request and pay for a separate insurance policy rider for the Lyft driver and their passengers to have UM/UIM coverage. In addition, Lyft passengers may be able to use their own UM/UIM on their vehicles, if their policy allows.
If the Lyft passenger is lucky enough to be riding in a Lyft where Lyft or the Lyft driver paid for UM/UIM, then the Lyft passenger will be able to make a claim for UM/UIM under the Lyft policy or the Lyft driver’s personal automobile policy. If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision while riding in a Lyft vehicle, make sure you have the Lyft driver’s full name, license plate number and telephone number before leaving the scene.
Lyft pays for liability insurance but also requires the Lyft driver to maintain automobile liability insurance on all vehicles they operate while driving for Lyft with insurance limits equal to or greater than the minimum requirements for the state where you drive. In Ohio, Lyft drivers must carry $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in liability coverage. This coverage only applies before the new trip is accepted, while on standby. Once the Passenger is in a Lyft, then Lyft’s liability policy covers the Lyft driver’s vehicle.
How Much Liability Coverage Does Ohio Law Require Lyft To Have On The Vehicles Once The Passenger Is Picked Up?
Ohio requires at least $1,000,000 in coverage for bodily injury or death (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3942.02(A)(2)(b)).
According to Lyft, a passenger is insured under Third-Party liability coverage which covers BODILY INJURIES or damage the driver causes to their riders, and people in other vehicles/pedestrians/property. Lyft maintains commercial insurance on behalf of Lyft drivers for liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence in Ohio. The Lyft liability coverage does not start until the Lyft driver picked up the passenger and is on the trip. The Lyft declarations page can be found here.
In Ohio, if you decide to hire Lyft to give you a ride, in the event of a collision not caused by your Lyft driver, you may or may not have UM/UIM coverage paid for by Lyft to protect you and your family. Your driver may have UM/UIM if they purchased a special rider. You may be able to use your own automobile insurance. Bottom line, protect yourself and your family by having Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage on your auto insurance policy.