Farmers Introduces Rideshare Coverage in Utah

Farmers Insurance has launched what is believed to be the state’s first rideshare insurance coverage designed to provide seamless coverage for ridesharing drivers in Utah.

The coverage comes less than two months after Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed a bill that creates new statewide regulations for ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft, which will require drivers to be covered with at least $1 million in liability insurance.

Under the state’s new law, ridesharing drivers will be required to have insurance coverage from the moment they turn on their rideshare app.

Since personal automobile insurance policies were not designed to provide rideshare drivers with coverage while they are working, the introduction of this new coverage will help to fill a potential gap in coverage.

Farmers launched a similar product in California in late May.

Farmers Rideshare will provide Farmers customers coverage during period 1, which begins once a driver turns on the ridesharing application and is awaiting a match. The coverage will extend a driver’s Farmers auto insurance coverage until they accept a ride, at which point their TNC affiliate’s insurance coverage applies.

Farmers Rideshare enables a driver to select the coverages that fits their needs, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage that pay for damages to their own vehicle, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage.

Farmers Rideshare will provide customers period 1 coverage to drivers for any ridesharing company operating in the state. The endorsement will add roughly $15 per month to a customer’s premium, according to Farmers.