4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
MBA from Roosevelt University
Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
If you drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, rideshare insurance — a type of commercial insurance policy — can be useful. In Maryland, rideshare drivers must carry rideshare insurance.
Below, you’ll find information on rideshare regulations in Maryland and how much you can expect to pay for rideshare insurance in the Old Line State.
Maryland requires rideshare insurance for anyone working for a transportation network company (TNC), like Uber or Lyft.[1]
Uber and Lyft offer $1 million in liability insurance coverage for Maryland drivers, but these drivers still need to purchase their own insurance policies.
Liability-only rideshare insurance costs an average of $158 per month in Maryland.
How much does Maryland rideshare insurance cost?
Rideshare insurance in Maryland costs an average of $195 per month for liability-only coverage and $309 per month for full coverage. Remember that these are averages. Your rideshare insurance rates will vary based on factors like your age, gender, vehicle type, driving history, and insurance company.
In Maryland, USAA, Safeco, and GEICO offer the lowest rideshare insurance rates. Here’s a look at the average quotes in Maryland for the top rideshare insurance companies.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $169 | 9 |
GEICO | $200 | 9 |
State Farm | $216 | 9 |
Erie | $245 | 9 |
CSAA | $247 | 8 |
Root | $248 | 8 |
Safeco | $252 | 8 |
Progressive | $261 | 8 |
Travelers | $292 | 9 |
Elephant | $329 | 8 |
National General | $347 | 7 |
Direct Auto | $379 | 7 |
Allstate | $387 | 9 |
Nationwide | $444 | 9 |
Liberty Mutual | $456 | 8 |
GAINSCO | $525 | 7 |
Bristol West | $590 | 5 |
Rideshare insurance requirements in Maryland
Rideshare insurance can help protect Maryland drivers working for TNCs like Uber and Lyft. Coverage applies in three phases, including:
Phase 1: This is when you’re driving for personal use and your rideshare app is turned off. Your personal auto coverage is in effect and will pay for any accidents or incidents covered on your policy. In Maryland, the state’s required insurance for this phase is $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage liability.[2]
Phase 2: Phase 2 occurs when you’ve turned on your rideshare app but haven’t received a ride request. If your personal car insurance policy doesn’t provide coverage during this time, your rideshare company’s insurance will apply and serve as secondary coverage. It’s a good idea to make sure your personal auto insurance policy offers sufficient coverage.
Phase 3: During phase 3, you’re either en route to pick up a passenger or driving them to their destination. Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage.[3]
Cheapest recent rates in Maryland for rideshare drivers
Drivers in and around Maryland have found policies from Elephant, CSAA, Safeco, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
Uber and Lyft requirements in Maryland
Both Uber and Lyft have certain vehicle and driver requirements you must meet before you can start working as a rideshare driver in Maryland. Here’s what you need to know about minimum requirements for drivers and vehicles in the state.
Rideshare car requirements
Uber and Lyft require that the vehicles their drivers use meet the following criteria:
Must have four doors and be 12 years old or newer
Must be in decent condition with no cosmetic damage
Must pass a vehicle inspection and can’t be commercially branded[3]
Must have four doors and be 12 years old or newer
Must be in decent condition with no cosmetic damage
Must pass a vehicle inspection and can’t be commercially branded[3]
Rideshare driver requirements
Uber and Lyft also have requirements for Maryland residents who want to become drivers on their platforms.
Must have at least a year of driving experience, or three years if younger than 25
Must have a valid Maryland driver’s license
Must have proof of residency and insurance
Must take a driver profile photo
Must complete a driver screening[4]
Must be at least 25 years old
Must have a valid driver’s license in Maryland or another state
Must pass a driver screening test
Must own a smartphone and download the Lyft app
Must give consent for a Transportation Network Operator (TNO) license and Lyft will apply for you[5]
Types of rideshare insurance coverage
Here are the different types of rideshare insurance coverage you might want to explore:
Liability coverage
If you cause an accident while driving for a rideshare company, this type of coverage kicks in. It’s made up of bodily injury liability coverage, which pays for medical expenses and legal fees if you injure someone, and property damage liability coverage, which helps repair or replace someone else’s property that you damage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage offers protection if you get into an accident with a party who is at fault but doesn’t have insurance or lacks sufficient coverage. It helps cover expenses like your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Collision coverage
Collision insurance pays for damages to your vehicle if you’re involved in a collision, no matter who’s responsible for it.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance pays for damages from non-collision events, like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
You should also consider how high you want to set your deductible — the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance company covers the rest. Lower deductibles lead to higher premiums but reduce your financial burden after a claim. Higher deductibles result in lower premiums but require you to dish out more out of pocket in the event of a claim.
Rideshare insurance FAQs
If you plan to drive for Uber or Lyft in Maryland, you’ll need to make sure you have sufficient coverage for your personal and professional vehicle uses. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about rideshare insurance in Maryland.
Do you need rideshare insurance in Maryland?
Yes, you need a rideshare insurance policy to provide rideshare service in Maryland. The rideshare company must provide you with the minimum-required TNC liability insurance, but it may come with high deductibles and coverage gaps. Rideshare insurance can supplement your TNC policy.
Do Uber drivers in Maryland have to carry commercial auto insurance?
Yes. Maryland Uber drivers need commercial auto insurance in the form of rideshare insurance.
Do you really need rideshare insurance if you have personal auto insurance?
It depends. Whether you need rideshare insurance depends on your car insurance company. Some insurers won’t cover vehicles used for rideshare services, while others may cover them but at a higher rate. Check with your insurance company about your situation.
What happens if you get into an accident while ridesharing without insurance?
In Maryland, you might be personally responsible for any injuries or damages if you get into an accident while ridesharing but don’t have insurance. This can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.
Does DoorDash count as rideshare for insurance?
No. DoorDash isn’t a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft. But it does offer some insurance coverage for its drivers while they’re making deliveries.[6]
How does a rideshare insurance claim work?
In the event of a rideshare insurance claim, you’ll need to get in touch with both your personal insurance company and the ridesharing platform you drive for. The insurance companies will then process your claim based on the terms and coverage of the rideshare insurance policy.
Related articles
More cities in Maryland
Sources
- Maryland Insurance Administration. "Consumer Alert - What Drivers Need to Know about Ridesharing."
- Maryland Insurance Administration. "Insurance Requirements for Maryland Vehicles."
- Uber. "Insurance for rideshare drivers using Uber."
- Uber. "Driver requirements."
- Lyft. "Maryland Driver Information."
- DoorDash. "Understanding Auto Insurance Maintained by DoorDash."
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Featured in