Report the accident to Uber right away through the app

If you are in an accident while driving for Uber, report it to Uber within 24 hours through the app itself. Open the app, go to the menu, find "Safety," then "Report an Accident." You will answer questions about what happened, where it happened, and whether anyone was hurt. Uber uses this report to start a record of the incident.

Do not wait to report. Uber's insurance coverage depends on you being logged into the app and actively driving a passenger or heading to pick one up at the time of the accident. The sooner you report, the clearer the timeline becomes. If you delay, Uber may question whether you were actually driving for the platform when the crash occurred.

Keep the accident report number that Uber gives you. You will need it later if you file a claim or if the other driver's insurance asks about coverage.

Key Takeaways

  • Report any accident to Uber through the app within 24 hours, even if it seems minor, because Uber's insurance only covers you if you were logged in and actively driving.
  • Uber provides liability coverage for damage you cause to other people or their property, but not for damage to your own vehicle unless you have Uber's optional collision coverage.
  • You are responsible for your own medical bills and lost income after an accident unless the other driver was at fault and their insurance pays, or you have your own uninsured motorist coverage.
  • If the other driver was at fault, you can file a claim through their insurance company, but Uber may also file a claim to recover what it paid out.
  • Your personal auto insurance may not cover you while driving for Uber, so check your policy before you start driving or after an accident.

What Uber's insurance covers and what it does not

Uber provides liability coverage if you are logged into the app and actively driving a passenger or heading to pick one up. This means Uber's insurance pays for damage you cause to someone else's car, property, or body. It does not pay for damage to your own vehicle, your own medical bills, or your lost income.

The coverage amount varies by state, but Uber typically provides at least $100,000 per person for bodily injury, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Your state may require higher limits. Check Uber's insurance page or call your state's insurance commissioner's office to learn the exact limits where you drive.

Uber does not cover you if you are logged out of the app or if you were not actively driving. If you were between passengers — logged in but waiting for a ride request — coverage may still explore, but Uber will investigate. If you were using your car for personal reasons and happened to have the app open, Uber will likely deny the claim.

Damage to your own vehicle and medical bills

Your own vehicle damage and your own medical bills are your responsibility unless you have additional coverage. Uber does not pay for these. You have three options: use your personal auto insurance, purchase Uber's optional collision and comprehensive coverage, or pay out of pocket.

Most personal auto insurance policies do not cover you while driving for a rideshare company. Call your insurance agent before you start driving for Uber and ask whether your policy covers rideshare. If it does not, you have two choices: buy a rideshare endorsement from your current insurer (usually $10 to $25 per month), or purchase Uber's collision and comprehensive coverage through the app.

Uber's collision and comprehensive coverage is optional and costs money, but it covers damage to your vehicle from accidents, theft, or weather. The exact price depends on your vehicle, location, and deductible. You can turn it on or off in the app whenever you want. If you turn it on after an accident, Uber will not cover that accident retroactively.

If the other driver was at fault

If the other driver caused the accident, you can file a claim through their insurance company. You will need the other driver's name, phone number, address, insurance company name, and policy number. Get this information at the scene of the accident if possible. If you did not get it, you can ask the police for the accident report, which will include the other driver's details.

Contact the other driver's insurance company and tell them you were in an accident with their policyholder. Provide your name, the date and location of the accident, and a description of what happened. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate. The adjuster may contact you, inspect both vehicles, and review police reports.

If the other driver's insurance agrees they were at fault, they will pay for damage to your vehicle and your medical bills up to the limits of their policy. This process usually takes two to four weeks. Uber may also file a claim against the other driver's insurance to recover what Uber paid out for liability coverage. This does not affect your claim.

What happens if you do not have personal auto insurance

If you do not have personal auto insurance and the other driver was at fault, you can still file a claim through their insurance. Their insurance will pay regardless of whether you have your own policy. However, you are breaking the law in most states by driving without insurance, and you could face fines or license suspension.

If you do not have insurance and you were at fault, you have no way to pay for your own vehicle damage except out of pocket. Uber's liability coverage only pays for damage you cause to others, not to yourself. This is why buying Uber's collision coverage or a rideshare endorsement on your personal policy is important before you drive.

If you are injured and the other driver was at fault, you can still pursue a claim for medical bills and lost wages through their insurance. You do not need your own insurance to do this. However, if you were at fault, you will have to pay your own medical bills unless you have uninsured motorist coverage on a policy you own.

Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and lost income if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. It also covers hit-and-run accidents where you never learn who hit you. This coverage is separate from liability coverage and protects you, not the other driver.

If you have uninsured motorist coverage on a personal auto policy, it may cover you while driving for Uber, depending on your policy. Call your insurance agent and ask. If your personal policy does not cover rideshare, you can add a rideshare endorsement that includes uninsured motorist protection.

Uber does not provide uninsured motorist coverage. If you are hit by an uninsured driver and you do not have this coverage yourself, you will have to pay your own medical bills and lost income. This is another reason to check your insurance before you start driving.

Police reports and documentation you will need

Call the police if anyone is injured, if there is significant damage, or if the other driver refuses to exchange information. The police will create an accident report with an incident number. Request a copy of the report for your records. You will need this report if you file a claim with the other driver's insurance or if Uber asks for documentation.

Take photos of both vehicles, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Write down the date, time, location, and what happened. Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, vehicle make and model, license plate, and insurance company name and policy number. If there were witnesses, get their names and phone numbers too.

Send all of this information to Uber when you report the accident through the app. Keep copies for yourself. If the other driver's insurance contacts you, provide the same information. Do not sign anything or agree to a settlement without understanding what you are signing.

What to do if Uber denies your claim

Uber may deny your claim if you were not logged into the app at the time of the accident, if you were not actively driving, or if Uber determines you were at fault and the accident was caused by your negligence. If Uber denies your claim, you can appeal. Contact Uber support through the app and ask to speak with someone about your denial. Provide any additional documentation that shows you were driving for Uber at the time.

If Uber still denies your claim and you believe the denial is wrong, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. The commissioner's office can investigate whether Uber acted fairly. You can also consult a personal injury attorney, especially if you have significant medical bills or vehicle damage. Many attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Uber pay for my medical bills if I am injured in an accident?

Uber's liability coverage pays for medical bills of other people you injure, not your own. Your own medical bills are your responsibility unless the other driver was at fault and their insurance pays, or you have uninsured motorist coverage on a personal policy. Uber does not provide health insurance or medical coverage for drivers.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

If you were partially at fault, Uber's liability coverage still applies to the damage you caused to the other driver or their property. However, the other driver's insurance may pursue a claim against Uber to recover their own vehicle damage. Your state's comparative fault laws determine how much each party pays. Consult an attorney if you are unsure about your liability.

Can I use my personal auto insurance and Uber's coverage at the same time?

Your personal insurance is primary if you have rideshare coverage. This means your insurance pays first, then Uber's coverage fills in any gaps. If you do not have rideshare coverage on your personal policy, Uber's coverage is primary. Check your policy to understand the order of coverage.

How long does it take Uber to pay a claim?

Uber typically investigates claims within one to two weeks and makes a decision within 30 days. If the other driver's insurance is also involved, the process may take longer because both insurers must coordinate. Uber will contact you with updates as the investigation progresses.

What if the other driver does not have insurance?

If the other driver has no insurance, you can still file a claim through Uber's liability coverage for damage to your vehicle if you have Uber's collision coverage. For your medical bills, you can file a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have it. If you have neither, you may need to pursue a lawsuit against the other driver personally, which is difficult and often unsuccessful.