Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage Explained

When you’re hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in South Carolina, one of the first questions is: Who pays for my medical bills and lost income?

Unlike a normal car accident, rideshare crashes involve a layered system of insurance coverage that changes based on the driver’s status in the app. This can make it very difficult for injured passengers, drivers, or pedestrians to know which policy applies — and insurance companies often exploit this confusion to avoid paying.

At the Law Offices of Kenneth Berger, we help people across South Carolina — from Columbia to Myrtle Beach — navigate rideshare insurance disputes and secure the full, fair recovery they need after a crash.

Call us today at 803-790-2800 (Columbia) or 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach) for a free consultation.

How Rideshare Insurance Works in South Carolina

Coverage depends on whether the rideshare driver was:

1. Off the app

2. Logged in, waiting for a ride request

3. En route to pick up a passenger or carrying a passenger
   

Each stage triggers a different insurance policy — either the driver’s personal auto insurance or Uber/Lyft’s commercial coverage.

Uber Insurance Coverage in South Carolina

Lyft Insurance Coverage in South Carolina

Why This Matters in South Carolina

• In Columbia, crashes near Five Points or Assembly Street often involve college students using Uber/Lyft at night. These rides typically fall under the $1 million coverage tier if the app was active.

• In Myrtle Beach, tourist-heavy roads like Ocean Boulevard and Highway 17 see frequent rideshare traffic, meaning more disputes over whether drivers were “on duty” or “off the app.”

• Across I-26, I-20, and I-95, long-haul rideshare trips sometimes involve catastrophic collisions where both Uber/Lyft and another driver’s insurer argue over responsibility.
  
  

Common Questions About Rideshare Insurance Coverage

1. Does Uber or Lyft always pay after a crash?
No. It depends on whether the driver was using the app. If the driver was off-duty, only their personal insurance applies.

2. What if the driver was logged in but didn’t have a passenger yet?
Uber/Lyft provide limited contingent coverage ($50k/$100k/$25k). These cases are tricky because personal insurers often exclude rideshare driving.

3. What if I was a passenger during the crash?
Passengers are almost always covered under Uber or Lyft’s $1 million policy once the trip is accepted in the app.

4. What if another driver caused the crash?
Their insurance applies first. But if they’re uninsured or underinsured, Uber/Lyft’s $1 million UM/UIM policy should cover you as a passenger.

5. What if I was hit by an Uber/Lyft driver while walking or biking?
Coverage depends on whether the driver was logged in. If logged in or carrying a passenger, the rideshare policy applies.

6. What if I was driving for Uber or Lyft and got injured?
Your recovery depends on app status and insurance disputes.

7. Can multiple policies apply?
Yes. In many SC crashes, both the rideshare policy and another driver’s policy may be involved. Insurers often try to blame each other to avoid paying.

8. How do I prove the driver’s app status?
App data and trip records can be subpoenaed. At the Law Offices of Kenneth Berger, we request this information directly from Uber or Lyft when insurers dispute coverage.

9. Can I stack UM/UIM coverage in South Carolina?
Yes — SC law allows stacking in many cases. This can significantly increase the available recovery when injuries are severe.

10. What if the rideshare company denies coverage?
It’s common for Uber/Lyft to delay or deny claims. An attorney can challenge these denials, obtain driver trip records, and pursue coverage from every available source.

Why Rideshare Insurance Cases Need Legal Help

These aren’t simple fender benders. Between multiple insurers, app status disputes, and coverage exclusions, most people can’t navigate these claims alone. At the Law Offices of Kenneth Berger, we:

• Investigate which policies apply.

• Gather app data, trip logs, and police reports.

• Work with experts to document injuries and long-term costs.

• Negotiate with multiple insurers — or take them to court if they refuse to pay.

Talk to a South Carolina Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love was hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Columbia, Myrtle Beach, or anywhere in South Carolina, don’t rely on insurance companies to tell you the truth about coverage.

The Law Offices of Kenneth Berger helps clients cut through the confusion, hold the right parties accountable, and pursue the full, fair recovery they deserve.

Call us at 803-790-2800 (Columbia) or 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach) for a free consultation, or start a live chat on our website today.

Have more questions? Check out our complete guide to rideshare accidents in South Carolina.