What insurance must rideshare drivers carry in New York?

What the Law Says

New York law imposes layered insurance requirements on rideshare (Transportation Network Company or TNC) drivers, depending on whether they are logged into the app, waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting passengers.

New York’s TNC law — the 'Transportation Network Companies Act' — mandates three distinct insurance coverage periods. During Period 1 (driver is logged into the app but not yet matched with a rider), drivers must maintain personal auto insurance meeting state minimums: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage. During Periods 2 (matched with a rider but before pickup) and 3 (passenger in vehicle), the TNC itself must provide primary commercial liability coverage of at least $1.25 million per incident.

The law also requires TNCs to notify drivers in writing about their insurance obligations and prohibits canceling coverage without at least 48 hours’ notice. Drivers remain responsible for maintaining valid personal insurance at all times — even when using the app — and must disclose TNC activity to their personal insurer.

Statutory Text

A transportation network company shall maintain, at its own expense, automobile liability insurance… in an amount not less than one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars… during periods two and three.

— Transportation Network Companies Act, s. 129-a(3)(a) — Insurance requirements

Statutory Text

During period one, the driver shall maintain personal automobile insurance… in accordance with section three hundred eighty-eight of the vehicle and traffic law.

— Transportation Network Companies Act, s. 129-a(3)(b) — Insurance requirements

Statutory Text

No transportation network company shall cancel or terminate a driver’s access to its digital network without providing at least forty-eight hours’ written notice.

— Transportation Network Companies Act, s. 129-a(7)(a) — Driver protections

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