Rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft are governed by specialized commercial insurance structures mandated under California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulations. The available insurance coverage depends strictly on the driver's operational status in the rideshare app at the exact millisecond of the collision.
1. California Rideshare Insurance Tiers
| Operational Status | App State | Primary Insurance Policy | Mandatory Coverage Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Period 0 | App Switched Off | Driver's Personal Auto Insurance | California minimum ($15k/$30k/$5k) |
| Period 1 | App Open / Awaiting Request | Contingent Rideshare Commercial Coverage | $50k bodily injury per person / $100k total / $30k property |
| Period 2 | Ride Accepted / In Transit to Passenger | Primary Uber/Lyft Commercial Policy | $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit (CSL) |
| Period 3 | Passenger in Vehicle Until Drop-off | Primary Uber/Lyft Commercial Policy | $1,000,000 CSL + $1,000,000 UM/UIM Coverage |