Rideshare accidents in Georgia — Uber, Lyft, or any TNC platform — involve a complex three-layer insurance structure that determines which policy applies to your claim. Getting it wrong can mean pursuing the wrong insurer or settling for far less than you deserve.
The Three Insurance Periods
Rideshare insurance coverage depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash:
Period 0 — App Off: The driver is using the vehicle for personal purposes with the rideshare app not active. The driver’s personal auto insurance applies. TNC insurance plays no role.
Period 1 — App On, No Ride Accepted: The driver has the app active and is waiting for a ride request. Georgia TNC regulations require minimum contingent liability coverage during this period: at least $50,000 per person / $100,000 per occurrence / $25,000 property damage. This is often called the “deadheading” period — coverage exists but is substantially lower than active-ride coverage.
Period 2 — Ride Accepted, En Route to Pickup: Once the driver accepts a ride request and is traveling to pick up the passenger, the full TNC policy activates. Uber and Lyft both carry $1 million commercial liability policies during Periods 2 and 3.
Period 3 — Passenger in Vehicle: Full $1 million commercial liability coverage applies from the time the passenger enters until they exit. This is the most favorable insurance scenario for occupants of the rideshare vehicle.
Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage in Rideshare Crashes
O.C.G.A. § 33-1-24 requires TNCs operating in Georgia to carry uninsured motorist coverage during Periods 2 and 3. If you are a rideshare passenger injured by an uninsured driver who hit the Uber or Lyft vehicle, the TNC’s $1M UM coverage applies.
When the Driver’s Personal Insurer Disputes Coverage
Many personal auto policies exclude coverage for “transportation network company” activity. When a crash occurs in Period 1 and the TNC’s contingent policy applies, the personal insurer may deny coverage entirely. Understanding this gap and ensuring it is filled by the TNC’s Period 1 coverage is a common task for a Georgia rideshare accident attorney.
Documenting Which Period Applied
The TNC’s internal records — the driver’s app activity log at the moment of the crash — determine which period’s coverage applies. This data is preserved and discoverable through litigation if the TNC disputes coverage.
Georgia rideshare accident claims require a clear understanding of TNC insurance structure. A free evaluation costs nothing and ensures you pursue the right coverage for your injuries. Call today.