Hurt in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Florida? Whose Insurance Pays

Stage 1: The app is off

If the driver was not logged into the rideshare app at all, the trip was personal driving. The rideshare company's coverage generally does not apply. The driver's own personal auto policy is the main source of coverage, the same as any other crash between two private cars.

Stage 2: The app is on, but no ride is accepted

When the driver is logged in and waiting for a request, Florida law requires primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for death and bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. That coverage can come from the driver, the rideshare company, or a mix of both.

This middle stage is where a lot of confusion happens. A personal auto policy may exclude driving for a rideshare app, and the driver may not mention that they were logged in. Asking early, and writing down what the driver says, can matter later.

Stage 3: A ride is accepted or a passenger is in the car

Once the driver accepts a ride request, through the end of the trip, Florida law requires primary liability coverage of at least $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage. The law also calls for personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage during this stage.

If the driver's own policy has lapsed or does not provide what the law requires, the rideshare company's insurance has to provide the coverage, starting with the first dollar of the claim.

Your own PIP usually still comes first for medical bills

Florida is a no-fault state. If you own a car with personal injury protection (PIP), that coverage generally pays first toward your medical bills and lost wages, even when you were a passenger in someone else's car. PIP has its own rules, including the requirement to get initial care within 14 days of the crash. The rideshare coverage tiers above matter most for injuries and losses that go beyond what PIP pays.

What to save after a rideshare crash

Take a screenshot of the trip in your app, including the driver's name, the car, and the time. Save the receipt email. Photograph the vehicles, the plates, and the scene. Get the names and contact details of everyone involved, including the rideshare driver and any other driver. Write down whether the driver said they were on a trip, waiting for a ride, or off the app.

Then get checked by a medical provider, even if you feel mostly fine. Neck, back, and head symptoms can take a day or more to show up, and the first medical record is often the most important one.

Bottom line

In a Florida rideshare crash, the size of the policy depends on the app status at the moment of impact. If you are not sure which stage applied, or an adjuster is pushing for a quick statement, a free review can help you understand where you stand before you sign anything.