Being a rideshare driver means you’re exposed to different risks than someone who only uses their car privately. For one, you’re probably on the road much more than the average person, meaning there’s more opportunity for an accident. That’s why you’ll need to look into a special car insurance policy that covers your rideshare driving and everything else you need protection against.
How does car insurance work for rideshare drivers?
Rideshare car insurance, in most cases, isn’t its own type of policy. As a driver for Uber or another service, you’ll simply need to find a car insurance provider that offers a policy with cover for rideshare driving. This will either come in the form of a consumer policy that includes commercial coverage or a business car insurance policy if you use your car predominantly for rideshare driving.
You’ll still have a choice between third party property damage (TPPD), third party fire and theft (TPFT) and comprehensive car insurance. Some providers do offer insurance policies designed specifically for rideshare drivers, though this is less common.
What does rideshare car insurance cover?
The specific events that are covered depend on the type of policy you take out and your chosen lender. However, here are some of the key inclusions and exclusions of each type of policy:
| Claimable event | Comp. | TPFT | TPPD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to someone else’s property | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Damage to your car due to fire | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Damage to your car due to theft | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Damage to your car due to weather | ✔* | ✖ | ✖ |
| Damage to your car due to accident or collision | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ |
| *Not all weather-related incidents are covered under a comprehensive car insurance policy. Check your PDS to find out what's covered and what isn't. | |||
The key difference between a car insurance policy with rideshare coverage and one without is that you can be covered for damage to someone else’s property or your car while you’re on the job (depending on the level of cover you purchase).
For example, if you purchased a standard private car insurance policy and rear-ended someone while you were driving a passenger to the airport, your insurer wouldn’t cover the damage.
Is car insurance mandatory for rideshare drivers?
In most cases, yes. Here are a few different rideshare companies and what their minimum insurance requirements are:
Uber
- Minimum of TPPD coverage required, with the driver-partner either being the policyholder or a named insured driver on the policy
- Commercial insurance also accepted, with the driver-partner not required to be named on the policy in this instance
- Uber additionally offers an insurance support package to drivers, including cover for select personal injuries, cover if you can’t work and an assault benefit payment (all for incidents occurring while driving for Uber)
DiDi
- Minimum of TPPD coverage required, with the driver-partner either being the policyholder or a named driver on the policy
Rydo
- Minimum of TPPD coverage required
Shebah
- Minimum of comprehensive coverage required
Adequate compulsory third party insurance (known as CTP insurance or Green Slip in NSW) is a standard requirement of operating any road vehicle in Australia.
Which car insurance companies offer rideshare coverage?
| Car insurance company | What they cover |
|---|---|
| AAMI | Cover for rideshare services offered, but may impact premium |
| Bingle | Cover for rideshare services offered, but not taxi or hire car services |
| GIO | Cover for rideshare services offered, but not taxi or hire car services or vehicles in car sharing schemes |
| Marsh | Offers a comprehensive rideshare car insurance product that includes protection for business and private usage, but loss of or damage to passengers’ property isn’t covered |
| NRMA | Covers occasional rideshare driving on a standard consumer policy on its Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus policies |
| Rollin’ | Covers rideshare driving on business use policies only |
| Suncorp | Cover for rideshare services offered, but not taxi or hire car services or vehicles in car sharing schemes |
| Information correct as of November 2025. | |
