Rideshare Comprehensive Insurance: What It Covers and Costs

Rideshare comprehensive insurance is comprehensive car insurance that includes cover while you’re driving for apps such as Uber, DiDi or Shebah. It protects your car against accidental damage, theft and weather, and covers damage you cause to other people’s property during rideshare work — not just private trips. It’s separate to CTP, and you must tell your insurer you rideshare.

In this guide we’ll show what’s covered (and what isn’t), how rideshare cover differs from standard comprehensive, the minimum insurance platforms expect in Australia, and who pays what between CTP and comprehensive. You’ll see typical costs, ways to lower premiums, how claims work, key exclusions, and what to compare.

What rideshare comprehensive insurance covers (and what it doesn’t)

At its core, rideshare comprehensive insurance gives you the broad protection of comprehensive cover while you’re providing rideshare journeys — provided you’ve told your insurer you use the car for this purpose. That means protection for your vehicle and your liability to other people’s property during paid trips arranged through approved rideshare apps.

What it typically covers

• Your car’s damage: Accidental damage from a crash, plus theft, fire and severe weather events (e.g. storm, hail, flood).
• Third‑party property damage: Legal liability if your car damages someone else’s vehicle or property.
• Extras many policies include: Towing and emergency costs, and a hire car after theft (policy‑dependent).

What it doesn’t cover

• Personal injuries: These are handled by CTP/Green Slip, not comprehensive.
• Undisclosed ridesharing: Not telling your insurer you rideshare can void cover or lead to a refused claim.
• Delivery driving: Food/courier delivery is usually a different risk and often excluded unless your policy says otherwise.
• Other commercial uses: Taxi/chauffeur work, hiring your car to others or fleet/rental use are generally excluded unless specifically permitted in your PDS.

How rideshare cover differs from standard comprehensive car insurance

Standard comprehensive is built for private use. Rideshare comprehensive extends that protection to your paid trips, but only when you’ve told your insurer and they accept the risk. Not all providers cover ridesharing, some only do so on comprehensive policies, and exclusions tighten once you’re “on app”.

• Usage declaration: You must select business/rideshare use (e.g. Youi’s “Taxi – Uber…”, Bingle’s rideshare tick).
• Provider limits: Some won’t cover ridesharing; others only under comprehensive (AAMI, Bingle).
• Stricter exclusions: Delivery work, taxis, chauffeur, hire/fleet use often excluded (Bingle).
• Premium impact: Adding rideshare can change your premium (Bingle).
• Disclosure matters: Not disclosing rideshare can void or deny claims (Youi/Canstar insights).

Rideshare platform requirements in Australia (Uber, DiDi, Shebah and others)

Before you switch the app on, each platform has minimums you must meet. In Australia, you’ll need CTP in your state or territory plus at least third party property cover, with some platforms insisting on comprehensive. You must be a named policyholder/driver and satisfy any state-based regulations.

• Uber: Registered vehicle, CTP, and minimum third party property cover; driver must be the policyholder or a named insured.
• DiDi: CTP plus either third party property or comprehensive; extra state-based rules may apply.
• Shebah: Full comprehensive insurance required, plus the relevant CTP.

Some platforms also require a rideshare condition on your policy — always disclose rideshare use to avoid claim issues.

CTP versus comprehensive: who pays for what and when

Think of CTP and comprehensive as different lanes. CTP (MAI in the ACT; Green Slip in NSW) is mandatory and responds to injuries you cause on the road — for your rideshare passengers, pedestrians and other road users — with benefits varying by state; NSW also has limited cover for the at‑fault driver. Comprehensive (including rideshare comprehensive insurance) covers vehicles and property.

• Injuries to people: CTP pays for treatment, care and rehabilitation (state‑dependent).
• Damage to your car: Comprehensive pays for collision, theft, fire and weather.
• Damage to others’ property: Comprehensive pays your legal liability.
• Undisclosed ridesharing: Non‑disclosure can void or see claims refused.
• Platform “extras”: Some apps add injury support; they don’t cover your car.

Are you covered right now? How to check your current policy

A quick self‑audit can save nasty surprises at claim time. Comprehensive insurance only becomes “rideshare comprehensive insurance” if your policy explicitly permits ridesharing or business use. Many insurers require you to disclose rideshare use, and non‑disclosure can see claims refused. Some only cover rideshare under comprehensive, not third party.

• Check your policy schedule/PDS for “business/rideshare use”.
• Confirm you’re a named policyholder/driver.
• Verify your cover level meets your platform’s minimums.
• Scan exclusions: delivery work, taxi/chauffeur, hire/rental use.
• Ask your insurer to note ridesharing if you’ve started recently.
• Confirm premiums/excesses and when cover applies during trips.
• Ensure your CTP is current; ask if passenger injuries are included in your state.

How much rideshare comprehensive insurance costs

There isn’t a single price tag for rideshare comprehensive insurance. Premiums vary by insurer and state, and are often higher than private‑only policies because ridesharing is treated as business use with greater on‑road exposure. You’ll typically be asked to disclose rideshare use up front; that disclosure can change your premium and, for some insurers, requires upgrading to comprehensive cover.

Key factors that influence your premium

• Driver profile: Your age, driving experience, past claims and any demerit points.
• Vehicle risk: Age, make/model, market value and security features.
• Location and parking: Where you live and where the car sleeps.
• Declared use: Business/rideshare versus private use (using your car for ridesharing can increase premiums).
• Cover level and options: Comprehensive versus third party alternatives; optional benefits like hire car after theft.
• Named drivers: The age and history of all listed drivers.

If price is the sticking point, comparing quotes and using a specialist who can beat existing quotes can help bring costs down without sacrificing cover.

Ways to lower your premium without losing the cover you need

You don’t need to gut your rideshare comprehensive insurance to save money. Keep comprehensive cover and full disclosure of rideshare use to stay compliant with platform rules and avoid claim issues, then trim cost in smarter ways.

• Choose a higher excess: If you can afford it at claim time, a higher voluntary excess can lower premiums.
• Improve security and parking: Garaging the car and adding security features can help, as insurers price for theft risk.
• Limit listed drivers: Keep it to experienced drivers with clean records where possible.
• Skip add‑ons you won’t use: Only pay for options that matter to you (e.g. hire car after theft).
• Drive claim‑free: Safe driving preserves your risk profile and can reduce future costs.
• Use preferred repairers: Some insurers discount excess when you repair through their network.
• Compare and negotiate: Shop around or use a specialist broker with a price‑beat to keep strong cover at a sharper price.

Delivery driving versus ridesharing: will your policy cover both?

Usually not by default. Many insurers treat food or parcel delivery as a different risk to passenger ridesharing. For example, Bingle covers rideshare trips but explicitly excludes delivery work (e.g. Uber Eats, courier) under its rideshare setting. That means rideshare comprehensive insurance doesn’t automatically cover delivery platforms. If you do both, disclose both uses and check your PDS for “delivery/courier” wording — you may need a separate endorsement or a policy built for mixed business use. A specialist provider can arrange one policy that covers both activities.

Claims 101 for rideshare drivers (steps, evidence and excesses)

If you’re involved in an incident while ridesharing, treat it like any other claim but be upfront that you were on rideshare duty. Quick, accurate reporting helps prevent delays or refusals, especially where rideshare use must be disclosed.

Immediate steps

• Safety first: Check for injuries, call 000 if needed, and move to a safe spot if possible.
• Document the scene: Take clear photos of vehicles, damage, number plates and the wider scene.
• Exchange details: Collect full name, address, phone, licence number, rego and insurance details from all parties.
• Report quickly: Notify your insurer immediately and inform your rideshare platform.

Evidence to collect

• Accident details: Date, time, location and a short description of what happened.
• Other parties and witnesses: Contact details and statements where possible.
• Official info: Police attendance/report number if applicable.

Excesses and repairs

• Excess applies: Your comprehensive policy excess will generally apply; comprehensive policies often have a variable excess.
• Preferred repairers: Some insurers discount excess when you use their repair network.
• Not at fault perks: If you’re not at fault, some providers include a replacement car and 24/7 towing—check your policy schedule.

Common exclusions, limits and fine print to watch for

With rideshare comprehensive insurance, tiny wording changes can decide a claim. Read your PDS and schedule carefully and make sure your declared use matches how you actually drive — especially when you’re “on app”.

• Undisclosed ridesharing: Not telling your insurer you rideshare can void or see claims refused.
• Delivery work excluded: Rideshare cover often excludes food/courier delivery (e.g. Uber Eats) unless specifically added.
• Other commercial uses: Taxi/chauffeur, hire/rental to others or fleet use are commonly excluded unless permitted in the PDS.
• Named driver rules: Some platforms require you to be the policyholder or a named insured driver — check your schedule.
• Injuries vs vehicles: CTP covers injuries; comprehensive covers cars and property, not medical costs.
• Platform add‑ons: App injury support doesn’t cover your vehicle.
• Limits on perks: Hire car is often “after theft” only; accident hire car may be optional.
• Endorsements/excesses: A rideshare condition may be required; confirm any variable excesses that apply when on rideshare duty.

What to compare when choosing a rideshare-ready comprehensive policy

The right rideshare comprehensive insurance should tick your platform’s boxes and protect your day-to-day earning. Read the PDS and your policy schedule closely, then line policies up on what genuinely changes your risk and claim outcomes.

• Rideshare eligibility: The PDS must explicitly allow ridesharing/business use; you may need to select a rideshare setting when quoting.
• Policy type: Some insurers only allow ridesharing under comprehensive, not third party; note some platforms (e.g. Shebah) require comprehensive.
• Named driver rules: Confirm you’re the policyholder or a named insured driver (Uber requires this).
• When cover applies: Confirm cover while “on app” and during paid trips.
• Exclusions: Look for delivery/courier, taxi/chauffeur, hire/rental or fleet exclusions.
• Excesses: Check standard, variable or special excesses that may apply.
• Repairs and guarantees: Preferred repairer networks, warranty on repairs, and any excess discounts.
• Hire car and towing: Is hire car “after theft only” or after accidents too? What towing is included?
• Liability limits: Property damage liability limits and any sub‑limits.
• Claims support: How to lodge, response times, and assistance hours.
• Price for declared use: Ensure the premium reflects rideshare use and all listed drivers.
• Platform compliance: Meets the minimums your app requires and your CTP remains current (separate to comprehensive).

When a broker can help you get better cover and price

A specialist motor insurance broker can make rideshare comprehensive insurance cheaper and cleaner. They’ll place you with an insurer that explicitly allows ridesharing (and delivery, if needed), set business‑use correctly on your schedule, and line up quotes from multiple APRA‑regulated insurers to beat your current price. They also sanity‑check platform requirements (named driver, rideshare condition) and stand beside you at claim time, so you’re compliant, covered and not overpaying.

Final thoughts

Rideshare comprehensive insurance is the practical way to protect your car and your income on‑app: disclose rideshare use, meet your platform’s minimums, and choose a comprehensive policy that clearly covers paid trips. Compare the fine print, set a sensible excess, and know your claims steps so surprises don’t follow a bump.

Prefer someone to do the heavy lifting? National Cover can line up rideshare‑ready comprehensive options, sharpen your premium with a price‑beat, and back you at claim time. Start in minutes at National Cover.