Rideshare Insurance in California
Two gaps: the one Uber and Lyft never covered, and the new one California created in January 2026.
If you drive for Uber, Lyft or a delivery app in Los Angeles, your personal auto policy almost certainly excludes the driving you are paid for. The rideshare company's coverage fills part of that — but not all of it, and as of January 1, 2026 it fills less than it used to.
This page covers both gaps and what closing them actually costs.
The three periods, and what is covered in each
Rideshare coverage is divided into periods, and the coverage changes sharply between them:
- Period 1 — app on, no ride accepted. The thin one. Transportation Network Company (TNC) liability at this stage is limited (commonly described as $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury with $25,000–$30,000 property damage), and there is generally no comprehensive or collision coverage at all. Your own car is unprotected unless you have arranged it.
- Period 2 — ride accepted, driving to pick up. $1,000,000 primary commercial liability applies.
- Period 3 — passenger in the car. $1,000,000 primary commercial liability applies.
Almost every uncovered rideshare claim we see happens in Period 1.
What SB 371 changed on January 1, 2026
Senate Bill 371 amended California's TNC insurance requirements effective January 1, 2026. The headline change: required uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on rideshare trips was reduced from $1,000,000 to $60,000 per person / $300,000 per incident.
The $1,000,000 liability coverage that applies when the rideshare driver is at fault was not changed. What was reduced is the coverage that responds when someone else causes the crash and has too little insurance — or none.
That distinction matters in Los Angeles, where uninsured-driver rates are high. A serious injury caused by an uninsured third party can exceed $60,000 quickly. Drivers and passengers who want protection above the new floor now need to arrange it themselves — which for most drivers means carrying meaningful UM/UIM on their own personal auto policy.
Closing the Period 1 gap
Two routes:
- A rideshare endorsement on your personal auto policy. The common fix. Publicly reported pricing runs roughly $6–$40 per month depending on carrier and profile; some carriers price it closer to $150/year. It extends your own policy into Period 1, including comprehensive and collision on your vehicle.
- A commercial auto policy. Right for full-time drivers, anyone with a livery-style operation, or a driver with multiple vehicles. See commercial auto insurance.
Two things worth doing at the same time: check that your personal policy has not excluded rideshare outright (many have), and review your UM/UIM limits in light of the SB 371 reduction. Also confirm your California liability minimums are current — the state floor rose to 30/60/15 in 2025.
Does my personal auto policy cover Uber or Lyft driving?
Generally no. Personal auto policies contain a livery or for-hire exclusion. Some carriers now exclude rideshare explicitly. Driving with the app on without an endorsement risks both a denied claim and a non-renewal.
What changed for rideshare insurance in California in 2026?
SB 371 took effect January 1, 2026 and reduced the required uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on rideshare trips from $1,000,000 to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. The $1,000,000 at-fault liability coverage was not changed.
What is the Period 1 gap?
Period 1 is app-on with no ride accepted. TNC liability is limited at that stage and there is typically no comprehensive or collision coverage, so damage to your own car is not covered. A rideshare endorsement or commercial policy closes it.
How much does a rideshare endorsement cost?
Publicly reported figures run roughly $6–$40 per month, with some carriers pricing closer to $150 per year. It varies by carrier, vehicle and driving record — worth comparing, since the spread between carriers is wide.
Do I need this for DoorDash or Instacart?
Delivery driving raises the same personal-policy exclusion issue. The endorsement is not always identical to the rideshare version, so tell us which apps you drive for and we will match the endorsement to the actual work.
Related pages
Auto Insurance
Our personal auto service page.
Learn more →CA Minimum Auto Limits
The 30/60/15 floor explained.
Learn more →LA Car Insurance Costs
What drivers actually pay locally.
Learn more →Commercial Auto
For full-time and multi-vehicle drivers.
Learn more →This page is general information for California consumers, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an offer of coverage. Rates, rules, and carrier appetite change frequently — figures shown are typical ranges as of mid-2026 from public sources. Your own premium and eligibility depend on your specific situation. Confirm current requirements with the [California Department of Insurance](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/) or talk to a licensed agent. Express Financial & Insurance Services, Inc. is an independent brokerage in Santa Monica, CA — call 310-453-5736 for a no-obligation review.