If you are a rideshare driver, you enjoy many of the benefits that come with self-employment, including setting your hours and unlimited earning potential. However, you may not know that you need specialized auto insurance coverage with this profession. Below is more information about why your personal policy is not sufficient, as well as what options are available.

What Do You Need Professional Coverage?

First, you should know that a personal auto insurance policy will not cover you if you are using the car for business. This means that if you get into an accident or something damages the car during the course of work, you are responsible for paying all costs associated with the incident.

If you attempt to file a claim with your personal policyholder for a work-related mishap, the insurer will investigate the claim. When they discover that you were using the vehicle for your business, they can deny the claim and cancel your policy entirely. However, when you have professional coverage in place for your activities as a rideshare driver, you can easily file a claim and receive compensation for any damage.

What Auto Insurance Options Are Available?

While many rideshare companies provide insurance plans for their drivers, these policies often don't include high enough limits. For instance, Uber® and Lyft® only offer per-accident coverage amounts of $100,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. However, these limits are lower than what most insurance professionals suggest. Drivers should aim for at least $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 for property damage.

Because of this, you should acquire a specific rideshare auto insurance plan. These policies fill in the coverage gap that in-house rideshare policies create, offering you significantly higher limits. This means that you will not have to pay a considerable amount of money if you experience an accident. These plans also provide peace of mind, as you will know that both your property and customers have sufficient protection.

If you're a rideshare driver and need auto insurance, contact 1st Choice Insurance. They are a family-owned and -operated business that has been serving the Fairfield and Greater Cincinnati, OH, area for more than 30 years. They offer a wide range of vehicle and SR-22 insurance plans. Call (513) 860-0666 to request an insurance quote. Visit the website for more information about their services.