​​Does Colorado Law Require Uber and Lyft to Carry $1 Million in Insurance?

 Posted on March 31, 2026 in Car Accident

If you were hurt in a rideshare accident in Fort Collins or anywhere in Larimer County in 2026, one of your first questions is probably: who pays for your injuries? The answer depends on a Colorado law that most passengers have never read. A skilled Fort Collins personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and fight to get you paid fairly.

What Does Colorado Law Say About Rideshare Insurance?

Research published in the Journal of Safety Research found that about one-third of rideshare drivers had been in a crash while on the job, which shows just how often these accidents happen – and how important insurance coverage is for victims of injuries. 

Colorado has laws meant to address this exact issue. Under Colorado law, Uber and Lyft are known as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). The definitions are in § 40-10.1-602, and the insurance rules are in § 40-10.1-604. A TNC is simply a company that uses an app to connect passengers with drivers. 

Colorado sets specific insurance rules based on what the driver is doing at any given moment. There are three coverage periods to know:

• App off: Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. The rideshare company provides no coverage at all.

• App on, no ride accepted: Colorado law requires TNC to provide drivers with primary coverage during this time. It must include at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $30,000 for property damage. This coverage does not depend on the driver’s personal insurance denying the claim first.

• Ride accepted or passenger in the car: The rideshare company must carry at least $1 million in coverage, protecting passengers and anyone else hurt in the crash if the driver is at fault.

The $1 million policy does not apply at all times. The gap between the second and third periods catches many injured victims off guard.

How Did Colorado House Bill 22-1089 Strengthen Rideshare Insurance Requirements?

Colorado added more protections in 2022 with House Bill 22-1089. This law requires Uber and Lyft to carry uninsured motorist coverage of at least $200,000 per person and $400,000 per accident during active rides. Uninsured motorist coverage means that if the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, the rideshare company’s policy can still help pay for your injuries.

Is it Hard to Get Compensation After a Colorado Rideshare Accident?

A $1 million policy sounds like plenty of money. In practice, getting that money can be much harder than it sounds. A few things make these claims especially tricky:

• What the driver was doing in the app at the exact moment of the crash is often disputed, and the rideshare companies control most of that data.

• Multiple insurance policies may apply at the same time, and each carrier will try to shift the blame to someone else.

• Both Uber and Lyft have large, seasoned insurance teams that handle these claims every day. Most injured people face that process once, unprepared, while also trying to heal.

A good personal injury attorney has the experience to handle these large insurance companies without being intimidated by their tactics. They will know whether a settlement offer from an insurance company is too low. Working with a skilled lawyer allows you to focus on recovering, not on wrangling a complicated legal process for the first time. 

What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Fort Collins?

If you are hurt in a rideshare crash in Larimer County, what you do right away matters. Here are the most important steps:

• Call 911 and get a police report. Colorado law requires reporting when there are injuries.

• See a doctor even if you feel fine. Brain, spinal, and internal injuries may not show up right away.

• Take photos of the vehicles, the license plates, and your app screen showing the trip details.

• Get the names and contact info of any witnesses.

• Talk to a personal injury attorney before you speak to any insurance company or sign anything.

The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. Rideshare application data and witness accounts can be lost quickly, so do not wait to get legal help.

In Colorado, you usually have up to three years to file a claim after a car accident. Acting quickly gives your attorney the best chance to collect evidence before it is gone.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Fort Collins, CO Rideshare Accident Attorney

If you or someone you love was hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, you owe it to yourself to find out what your case may be worth. That is where the experienced Larimer County Uber and Lyft accident injury lawyer at Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. comes in. Attorney Hoggatt is a member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, reflecting his strong commitment to fighting for injured people in northern Colorado. We offer free consultations. Call 970-225-2190 today.

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