Filing a Claim Against Lyft

With increasing numbers of vehicles on the road driving for the rideshare service Lyft, states have been adopting laws requiring the company to provide insurance coverage when its drivers are working for the service. 

If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by or involving a Lyft vehicle, you may wonder about who actually handles or pays for claims made against the insurance coverage provided by Lyft. You may be surprised to learn that Lyft purchases insurance coverage from an insurance company, just as you purchase auto insurance for your vehicle. Lyft also hires companies to handle the claims made against its insurance coverage.

Read more: Uber And Lyft Accidents

Insurance Companies That Provide Coverage for Lyft

Lyft obtains coverage for its insurance policy through several different providers. The rideshare service has different insurers and separate policies for each state, and sometimes for different metropolitan areas within a state. Examples of companies that provide insurance services for Lyft include:

• Progressive
• State Farm
• Sedgwick
• Greenwich Insurance
• Indian Harbor Insurance

Who Insures Lyft in New Jersey?

For the policy period of 2020/2021, Lyft is insured in the state of New Jersey through Indian Harbor Insurance Co. However, while Indian Harbor may actually pay out the cash for a claim against Lyft’s insurance policy, Lyft typically contracts with a third-party claims administrator that actually reviews claims against the insurance policy and makes the determination whether to pay the claim. Companies that have served as third-party claims administrators for Lyft include Travelers Insurance and York Risk Services Group. When you make a claim against Lyft’s insurance policy, you or your attorney will communicate with representatives from the third-party claims administrator, not the company actually providing the insurance coverage. 

What Is Lyft’s Insurance Coverage in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the amount of coverage available under Lyft’s insurance policy varies depending on the circumstances at play at the time of an accident. Lyft’s insurance coverage works as follows:

• If the driver is not logged into Lyft’s mobile application: Lyft’s insurance policy does not apply, and any person injured in an accident caused by the driver must look to the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
• If the driver is logged into the mobile application and is awaiting a ride request from a passenger: Bodily injury coverage of $50,000 per person/ $100,000 per incident, property damage coverage of $25,000 per accident, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident, plus personal injury protection coverage as required by New Jersey state law
• If the driver has accepted a ride request or has a Lyft passenger in the vehicle: Injury and property damage liability coverage of up to $1.5 million, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of up to $1.5 million, and $10,000 of medical expense coverage.

If Lyft’s insurance coverage is active, vehicle damage is also covered up to the actual cash value of the vehicle, minus a $2,500 deductible.

Lyft’s insurance coverage is also primary to the Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance coverage.

Read more: Can I Sue Uber or Lyft for a Car Accident in NJ?

Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Lyft Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a Lyft accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at CourtLaw represent clients injured because of Lyft accidents and other types of car accidents in Clifton, Camden, Passaic, Union City, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, Trenton.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.