Hurt in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Manchester? Insurance Coverage Depends on a Timestamp
Rideshare apps have become a normal part of getting around Manchester, whether it is a late-night pickup from a downtown bar or a ride to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. But when a rideshare accident happens, figuring out which insurance policy actually applies can be surprisingly complicated.
New Hampshire’s Three Coverage Periods
New Hampshire regulates rideshare companies, known legally as transportation network companies or TNCs, under RSA 376-A. This law creates different insurance obligations depending on exactly what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash.
If the driver’s app was off, their personal auto policy applies like any ordinary crash. If the driver was logged into the app waiting for a ride request, RSA 376-A:8 requires primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. Once a ride has actually been accepted or is underway, that same statute requires significantly higher coverage, generally at least $300,000 combined for death, bodily injury, and property damage.
Why the Timing Fight Matters
Because coverage amounts may shift dramatically based on the driver’s app status at the exact moment of the collision, insurers frequently dispute which period applied. This data lives inside the rideshare company’s own systems and can be difficult to obtain without a formal request. A driver’s account of their own status is not always reliable, and it is not uncommon for insurers to argue for the lower coverage tier.
Pedestrians and Other Drivers Are Covered Too
These insurance requirements are not limited to rideshare passengers. If a Manchester pedestrian or another motorist is struck by a driver who is logged into a rideshare app, the same coverage tiers should apply to their claim as well.
Multiple Insurers, Multiple Complications
Because personal auto insurers often exclude coverage during rideshare use, and the rideshare company’s own policy only fills specific gaps, claims can end up involving two or more insurance carriers pointing fingers at each other. Sorting out primary versus excess coverage is rarely straightforward, and it usually requires formal requests directed at the rideshare company itself.
What a Manchester Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Do for You
If you were injured in a rideshare-related crash, do not assume the driver’s insurance situation is simple. Our Manchester car accident attorneys can request trip data, pin down the applicable coverage period, and pursue every insurer that owes you compensation. Contact the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC to talk through what happened.
