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Best Car Insurance Options for Gig Workers

Be sure you have the right insurance coverage when you use your car to make a living.

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If you work in the gig economy — and drive for a rideshare or delivery service — it’s critical that you have the proper insurance. Many companies, such as Uber, Lyft and Postmates, provide some type of commercial auto insurance to their drivers, but it won’t cover you in every situation. Find out what kind of gig car insurance you’ll need to cover you in every situation.

Key takeaways

  • Rideshare and delivery drivers are usually required to have both personal insurance and some type of commercial or business coverage.
  • Most — but not all — rideshare and delivery companies provide drivers with commercial insurance.
  • Insurance offered by ridesharing and delivery companies may have some gaps in coverage.
  • Options include adding a rideshare endorsement to your existing policy or purchasing a separate commercial policy.
  • Additional insurance may be less expensive if you drive for a delivery service and don’t take on passengers.

Do I need special car insurance if I’m a gig worker?

Yes. If you use your car for both personal use and to earn a living, you’ll need a special policy that extends coverage to using your car for business purposes. Even if the rideshare or delivery company offers commercial insurance, you may still need a special kind of policy for Turo or Uber, because you may not have full coverage in every situation.

For example, if you’re on the app but haven’t received a ride or delivery request, your coverage is typically more limited than when you’re en route to a gig or have a passenger in your car. At the same time, your personal auto insurance policy may not cover you at all. Adding a rideshare endorsement or policy can potentially save you thousands in out-of-pocket costs if you get into an accident.

Does my personal car insurance cover me while I’m working?

In general, your personal car insurance policy won’t cover you while you’re driving for work. It may, however, provide limited coverage if you’re available on the app but haven’t yet accepted a delivery or ride request.

To be safe, talk to your insurance provider before doing any job that requires using your personal vehicle for work. If you get into an accident during one of those gray areas, you may have your claim denied, and you may be held personally responsible.

What factors should I consider when choosing insurance as a gig worker?

There are a number of key considerations to take into account when purchasing part-time car insurance for gig workers.

  • Type of policy. Decide if you need a separate commercial policy or if adding a rideshare endorsement will do the trick. Your choice may depend on whether the service provider you work for already offers some coverage.
  • Level of coverage. Depending on what your commercial policy and/or personal policy cover and whether you have full coverage, make sure any additional insurance coverage aligns with your needs for gap areas.
  • Rates. Rates for rideshare insurance vary by provider, so compare multiple insurers to find the best deal on car insurance.
  • State you live in. Even nationwide insurance providers don’t all offer rideshare coverage in every state. Make sure the insurers you’re looking at work in your area.
  • Discounts. Because your rates will go up when you add a rideshare policy, consider insurance providers that offer discounts.
  • Claims handling. Your risk of getting in an accident increases the more you drive, so you may want to look into how the providers you’re considering handled claims.

Insurance options for gig workers

Consider these providers for some of the best car insurance for gig workers.

Best for most coverage

Progressive

4.5
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site
on Pretected's secure site
Read review
TelematicsSnapshot
Gap insuranceLoan/lease coverage

Best for a marketplace

Pretected

5
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
TelematicsVaries by provider
Gap insuranceVaries by provider

Best for gap coverage

Allstate

4
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
TelematicsDrivewise
Gap insuranceYes

Best for military members

USAA

4.5
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
TelematicsSafePilot
Gap insuranceNo, but it has car replacement assistance

Best for delivery drivers

State Farm

4
★★★★★

Finder score

TelematicsDrive Safe and Save
Gap insuranceNo

How we chose these insurers

Finder’s insurance experts analyzed dozens of insurance providers to find ones that offer the best options for gig workers. We ultimately chose ones that had competitive rates, multiple discounts and good satisfaction ratings.

Some of the criteria we evaluated included:

  • Ratings and reviews
  • Discounts
  • Pricing
  • Telematics programs
  • Roadside assistance
  • Claims process
  • Gap coverage
  • Mobile apps
  • Overall financial strength and performance

Finder also maintains strict editorial integrity and independence. Our content and suggestions are fair, accurate and trustworthy, and our advertisers or partners don’t influence our opinions. To learn more, check out our editorial guidelines here.

Can I deduct my car insurance from my taxes?

You should be able to deduct your auto insurance from your taxes if you use your car for work. But, if you also use your car for personal use — as most rideshare drivers do — you can only deduct a portion of your insurance premiums. For example, if you only use your car for work 30% of the time, you can only deduct 30% of your premiums.

You may also be able to deduct a portion of other vehicle expenses, such as repairs, maintenance, oil and gas and other costs. It might be a good idea to talk to a tax professional to find out all the tax breaks you’re eligible for as a rideshare or delivery driver.

Bottom line

If you drive for a ridesharing or delivery service, make sure you’re covered both on and off the job. Your personal vehicle policy typically only covers you when you’re off the clock, and a commercial policy offered by the rideshare service only covers you when you’re active on the app. Adding a rideshare endorsement or purchasing a separate commercial policy can help to cover any gaps in your existing insurance so you don’t get caught without coverage.

Get the cheapest quotes for your car

Compare providers in your area.

Your information is secure

Frequently asked questions

Do gig workers need insurance?

At a minimum, gig workers who drive for a living need a personal auto insurance policy that meets your state requirements. In most cases, your rideshare company provides commercial coverage for when you’re working.

If those two bases are covered, you’re not required to have additional coverage. However, you could be leaving yourself open to potential gaps in coverage or only limited coverage in some cases.

Is there a difference between insurance for rideshare vs. delivery drivers?

Some insurance providers may lump rideshare and delivery drivers into the same policy, whereas others may distinguish between the two. It’s a good idea to inquire with multiple providers to see how much coverage you actually need if you aren’t carrying passengers versus if you are.

What if my insurer doesn’t have a rideshare option in my state?

Not all car insurance providers offer rideshare coverage in every state. You may need to purchase a commercial policy or switch to a new provider that offers coverage in your area. Do a little research to figure out which is the most economical option.

Are there other specialized products for gig workers?

While some products aren’t necessarily specialized for gig workers per se, there are products that are better suited for gig workers. For example, cash advance apps for gig workers or loans that are best for gig workers.

Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Writer

Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio

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