What Florida law requires
Florida preempted local rideshare rules in 2017. §627.748 — enacted through 2017 HB 221 / SB 340 (Chapter Law 2017-12) — is the controlling statute for passenger rideshare in every Florida county and municipality.
The law requires every TNC driver (or the TNC on the driver's behalf) to maintain primary automobile insurance that:
- Recognizes TNC use; and
- Covers the driver while logged onto the digital network or engaged in a prearranged ride.
Key related statutes this guide references:
- §627.733 — required security (PIP) for motor vehicles
- §627.736 — personal injury protection benefits
- §627.737 — no-fault tort threshold (when you can sue for pain and suffering)
- §627.727 — uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- §324.021 — financial-responsibility definitions
- §324.022 — property-damage financial responsibility
Statutory minimums by driving status
§627.748(7)(b)
§627.748(7)(c)
Primary coverage — not excess
Florida requires TNC insurance to pay from the first dollar. If the driver's own policy lapses or excludes rideshare activity, the TNC's insurer must provide required coverage and defend the claim — without waiting for a personal insurer to deny first. See §627.748(7)(d)–(e).
Personal insurers may exclude rideshare entirely
Under §627.748(8)(b), a Florida personal auto insurer may exclude all policy coverage while you are logged on or providing a prearranged ride — including liability, UM/UIM, medical payments, PIP, collision, and comprehensive. The exclusion applies only during those periods; permissive drivers and resident relatives not in the vehicle at the time of loss are unaffected.
TNC coverage satisfies Florida financial-responsibility and PIP security requirements only while you are logged on or in a prearranged ride (§627.748(7)(g)). When the app is off, your personal Florida policy must still meet registration requirements under §627.733.
Florida rideshare insurance periods
The insurance industry divides TNC driving into periods. Florida law maps to them this way:
Period 0 — App off
Your personal auto policy is the only coverage in play. You need at least Florida's registration minimums ($10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage liability). No TNC coverage applies.
Period 1 — Logged on, waiting for a request
You have opened the Uber or Lyft app and are available, but have not yet accepted a ride. §627.748(7)(b) requires the $50,000 / $100,000 / $25,000 liability package plus PIP and UM/UIM.
The biggest gap: neither Uber nor Lyft provides collision or comprehensive coverage for your vehicle during Period 1. If you rear-end someone or hit a pole, platform liability may cover the other party — but damage to your car is on you unless your personal policy (with a rideshare endorsement) covers it.
Period 2 — Ride accepted, en route to pickup
Once you accept a request, Florida treats you as engaged in a prearranged ride until the last rider exits. That includes the entire drive to the pickup location. §627.748(7)(c) requires at least $1 million primary liability — not the lower Period 1 limits.
Period 3 — Passenger in vehicle through drop-off
Same $1 million tier as Period 2. The prearranged ride ends when the last rider exits and is no longer occupying the vehicle (§627.748(1)(b)).
Uber and Lyft in Florida — same statutory floors, different claims paths
Because §627.748 applies to every TNC operating in Florida, Uber and Lyft must meet the same minimum liability amounts. Where they differ is how you file claims, access certificates, and handle optional products — not the statutory dollar floors.
Platform insurance pages change. Before relying on a specific limit or deductible, pull the current Florida certificate of insurance from your driver app or the company's insurance portal. Marketing language is not controlling law — §627.748 is.
Both companies must disclose insurance details to drivers in writing before allowing them to accept rides (§627.748(8)(a)), including a warning that personal policies may provide no coverage while logged on or in a ride.
What personal insurance covers
When the app is off, your personal Florida auto policy works normally. The moment you log in, §627.748(8) allows your carrier to exclude every coverage part — and many Florida policies do.
Why disclosure matters
If you drive for Uber or Lyft without telling your insurer, you risk:
- A denied claim because the loss occurred during commercial use
- Policy cancellation or nonrenewal for material misrepresentation
- No coverage during Period 0 if the carrier discovers undeclared rideshare activity
Tell your agent or carrier before your first trip — not after a crash.
Rideshare endorsements bridge the gaps
Many Florida insurers sell a rideshare endorsement (sometimes called Ride-for-Hire) that extends personal coverage into Period 1 — especially collision and comprehensive on your own vehicle. Endorsements vary by carrier; confirm exactly which periods are covered and whether coverage is primary or excess to the platform policy.
Commercial policies
Full-time drivers or those using a vehicle registered for commercial use may need a commercial auto policy instead of a personal policy with an endorsement. §627.748(2) says TNC drivers are not required to register vehicles as commercial motor vehicles, but your insurer's underwriting rules may still treat heavy rideshare use differently.
SR-22 and FR-44 drivers
If you must maintain an SR-22 or FR-44 filing, rideshare activity adds another layer of risk. Your financial-responsibility certificate covers personal driving obligations; it does not automatically extend to TNC periods where your personal policy may be excluded. Confirm with your agent that your filing stays valid and that your carrier permits rideshare use.
Collision and comprehensive gaps
Physical damage to your vehicle is the area where Florida rideshare drivers are most often underinsured.
- Period 0: Your personal collision/comprehensive applies (if purchased).
- Period 1: No Uber or Lyft physical-damage coverage. If you only carry liability on your personal policy, you have zero coverage for your own vehicle damage while waiting for requests.
- Periods 2–3: Uber and Lyft provide contingent comprehensive and collision up to actual cash value — but only if you already carry those coverages on your personal policy. If your personal policy excludes rideshare periods, the contingent coverage may not trigger.
Both platforms use a $2,500 deductible for contingent physical-damage claims during Periods 2–3 (Uber's vehicle marketplace program may use $1,000 in some cases). Contingent coverage applies regardless of fault.
If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender almost certainly requires comprehensive and collision. Period 1 gaps can leave you paying a car note on a totaled vehicle with no insurance payout.
PIP and UM/UIM coverage
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Florida is a no-fault state. During Period 1, TNC coverage must include PIP at the standard minimum amounts under §§627.730–627.7405 — typically $10,000 in medical and disability benefits (with the emergency/non-emergency benefit structure in §627.736) plus $5,000 in death benefits.
During Periods 2–3, §627.748(7)(c)(1)(b) references PIP at the minimum amounts "required of a limousine." Limousines are exempt from mandatory PIP under §627.733(1)(a), so legislative staff analysis of the 2017 TNC bill noted this cross-reference may not impose a separate dollar floor above Period 1. Uber and Lyft still commonly list PIP on filed Florida certificates — verify the limits on yours rather than assuming they match Period 1.
PIP pays medical bills and certain lost wages regardless of fault, subject to policy terms. To sue an at-fault driver for pain and suffering, you must meet the injury threshold in §627.737 unless an exception applies.
See also our guide on PIP vs bodily injury coverage.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
§627.748 requires UM/UIM coverage "as required by §627.727" during both logged-on and prearranged-ride periods. Uber and Lyft may provide UM/UIM for drivers and riders, but the details depend on the platform's Florida policy forms.
On your personal policy, UM/UIM is optional in Florida — you can reject it in writing. Many drivers stack UM/UIM on their personal policy for protection during Period 0 and as a backstop when platform coverage is disputed.
The Monasterio lesson
In Progressive Express Insurance Co. v. Monasterio (11th Cir. 2024), the court held that Uber's TNC policy did not have to provide UM/UIM because §627.727 only mandates UM/UIM for policies issued with respect to a "specifically insured or identified motor vehicle." The Uber/Rasier policy did not identify Monasterio's vehicle, and UM/UIM had been rejected in writing. The TNC Act's reference to §627.727 "as required" meant no UM/UIM was statutorily required in that case.
Do not assume platform UM/UIM exists. Read your Florida certificate of insurance and keep UM/UIM on your personal policy if you want that protection during Period 0.
Deductibles
Three different deductibles can apply depending on period and which insurer pays:
- Personal collision/comprehensive: Your policy deductible during Period 0 — and during Period 1 only if your personal policy (with endorsement) covers that period.
- Platform contingent physical damage: $2,500 during Periods 2–3 when Uber or Lyft contingent comp/collision applies.
- PIP: Florida PIP policies may include a deductible (commonly $0, $500, or $1,000) that reduces medical benefits paid to you.
A rideshare endorsement may carry its own deductible for Period 1 physical-damage claims. Ask your agent to compare total out-of-pocket exposure across all periods before you choose limits.
What happens after a crash
Which policy responds depends on your app status at the moment of impact — not when you report the claim. §627.748(8)(d) requires the TNC to provide precise log-on/log-off timestamps for the 12 hours before and after an accident when any involved party or insurer requests them.
- Ensure safety. Check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or vehicles block traffic.
- Document everything. Photos of damage, scene, license plates, and insurance cards. Get the police report number.
- Report to the platform immediately. Use the in-app crash report (Uber Safety Toolkit or Lyft Help → Safety) and follow the company's claims instructions.
- Notify your personal insurer — even if you think the platform policy is primary. Failure to report promptly can complicate contingent coverage.
- Exchange insurance information. §627.748(7)(h) requires TNC drivers to carry proof of TNC coverage and disclose whether they were logged on or in a prearranged ride.
- Track your claim. Uber's Crash Center and Lyft's claims support show status and next steps. Disputes over which period applied are common — platform timestamps are critical evidence.
For general accident steps beyond insurance, see what to do after a car accident in Florida.
When insurers disagree
Personal carriers, TNC insurers, and the other driver's insurer may point to different periods or exclusions. §627.748(8)(d) requires TNC insurers to disclose coverages, exclusions, and limits to other insurers involved in a claim. If coverage is disputed, consult a Florida insurance agent or attorney experienced in TNC claims.
Major carriers to ask about
Many admitted Florida insurers sell rideshare endorsements, but product availability, eligibility, and pricing change frequently. Always confirm through a licensed Florida agent or the insurer directly. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) regulates policy forms and rates; use the OIR Insurance Regulation Filing System (iPortal) and IRFS Rate & Form Filing Search to verify filed products.
- State Farm — rideshare driver coverage extends personal policy during TNC periods in participating states; confirm Florida availability and period limits with an agent.
- Progressive — rideshare coverage endorsement for Period 1 gaps; commonly marketed to Uber and Lyft drivers.
- Allstate — rideshare / Ride-for-Hire insurance endorsement for drivers using personal vehicles for hire.
- GEICO — commercial vs personal auto guidance; GEICO's rideshare product availability varies by state — ask specifically about Florida Period 1 physical-damage coverage.
- Farmers — rideshare endorsement available in many states; confirm Florida filing status and which periods are covered.
- USAA — rideshare coverage for eligible military members and families where offered; availability and period limits vary.
Other admitted carriers may also file rideshare endorsements in Florida. Insurer marketing pages are not law — a filed endorsement on your declarations page is what matters at claim time. Shop through an independent agent who can compare multiple carriers, especially if you also need an SR-22 or FR-44 filing.
Verify insurers and agents
Delivery driving — separate rules
Many Florida drivers use the phrase "rideshare insurance" for DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats, and similar delivery work. Florida's TNC statute does not govern delivery. §627.748 applies only to prearranged passenger rides through a digital network.
Delivery platforms maintain their own insurance programs with different triggers and limits:
- DoorDash auto insurance — maintained coverage by state, including Florida under “All Other US States”
- Instacart shopper safety resources and Shopper Injury Protection
- Uber Eats delivery insurance (separate from passenger rideshare certificates)
If you drive for both passengers and delivery, you need to understand two different coverage frameworks. A passenger rideshare endorsement may not cover food delivery — disclose all gig work to your agent.
Florida-specific FAQs
Quick answers to questions not fully covered above. For the basics — personal-policy exclusions, Period 1 limits, the $1 million tier, and endorsement recommendations — see the periods, personal policy, and collision gaps sections.
What if the app shows me offline but I was logged on during the crash?
Which period applied is determined by your status at the moment of impact, not when you file. §627.748(8)(d) requires the TNC to provide log-on/log-off timestamps for the 12 hours before and after an accident when any party or insurer requests them. Platform records — not your memory of app status — usually decide which policy is primary.
Does my personal UM/UIM cover me during Periods 1–3?
Probably not. §627.748(8)(b) allows personal insurers to exclude all coverage parts — including UM/UIM — while you are logged on or in a prearranged ride. The Monasterio case also shows platform UM/UIM may not exist even when statute references §627.727. Keep UM/UIM on your personal policy for Period 0 protection and confirm platform coverage on your Florida certificate.
Can I drive for Uber or Lyft with an SR-22 or FR-44?
Possibly, but not every carrier will file SR-22/FR-44 on a policy that also permits rideshare use. Shop carriers that handle both — see our SR-22 in Florida guide.
Does Florida rideshare law apply to DoorDash or Instacart?
No. Delivery platforms are separate. See the delivery section above.
Recent court decisions and proposed legislation
How Florida's TNC law evolved
- 2017 — HB 221 / SB 340 (Chapter Law 2017-12) created statewide TNC regulation and insurance minimums effective July 1, 2017.
- 2020 — HB 1039 (Chapter Law 2020-87) added §627.748(18), limiting TNC vicarious liability for harm arising from rides when statutory conditions are met.
- 2025 — HB 315 would have reduced Period 2 liability to Period 1 limits while en route without a passenger. It did not become law.
- 2026 — SB 632 and companion HB 585 proposed the same rollback. Both died on March 13, 2026 — SB 632 in the Senate Transportation Committee (after passing Banking and Insurance 6–3) and HB 585 in the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee without a hearing. Current law still requires $1 million from ride acceptance through drop-off.
Key court decisions
Haddad v. Lyft Florida, Inc. (Fla. 4th DCA 2026)
A passenger alleged assault by a Lyft driver and sued Lyft for negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation. The Fourth DCA upheld dismissal under §627.748(18), holding that the 2020 immunity provision bars claims arising from harm during a logged-on ride unless the plaintiff pleads statutory noncompliance, criminal wrongdoing by the TNC, or that the TNC owned the vehicle. Official opinion (PDF).
Abner v. Lyft, Inc. (Fla. 3d DCA 2024)
After a fatal crash involving a Lyft driver, the Third DCA affirmed summary judgment for Lyft on vicarious liability and negligent hiring claims. The driver was an independent contractor under §627.748(9), and Lyft met the statute's driver-screening requirements. Official opinion (PDF).
Progressive Express Insurance Co. v. Monasterio (11th Cir. 2024)
The Eleventh Circuit held that Uber's TNC policy was not required to provide UM/UIM because §627.727 did not mandate it for a policy not tied to a specifically identified vehicle, and UM/UIM had been rejected in writing. Opinion.
Court decisions interpret existing law; they do not change the statutory minimums in §627.748(7). For pending changes, monitor the Florida Senate and Florida House bill trackers — not news headlines alone.
Primary sources used for this guide
This page prioritizes Florida primary authority. Platform marketing pages and forum posts are useful for identifying questions — verify every answer against statutes, filed policy forms, or official company certificates.
- Florida Statutes §§627.748, 627.733, 627.736, 627.737, 627.727, 324.021, 324.022 — Florida Senate / Online Sunshine (§627.748)
- Legislative history: 2017 HB 221 / SB 340 (Chapter 2017-12); 2020 HB 1039 (Chapter 2020-87); 2025 HB 315; 2026 SB 632 / HB 585
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation — automobile insurance, company search, forms/rates search, CHOICES rate tool
- Florida Department of Financial Services — consumer help, complaints, agent search
- FLHSMV insurance resources
- Uber rideshare insurance and Florida certificates of insurance
- Lyft insurance resources
- Court opinions: Haddad v. Lyft, Abner v. Lyft, Progressive v. Monasterio — Florida Courts opinion search
- National context (not controlling in Florida): NAIC commercial ride-sharing guide; Insurance Information Institute ridesharing Q&A
Laws, platform policies, and filed insurance forms change. Verify current coverage on official sites and your Florida certificate of insurance before you drive. Last updated: October 1, 2026.