Period 1 Coverage Explained
Period 1 — app on, waiting for a request — is the most misunderstood window in rideshare insurance: the app’s liability is thinnest here and personal policies exclude you. The full anatomy:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| App coverage (Period 1) | Liability only: ~$50/100/25 in most states |
| Not covered by app | Your car’s damage, your medical bills, uninsured motorists |
| Personal policy stance | Excluded — “livery” exclusion applies with app on |
| The fix | Rideshare endorsement or hybrid policy covers this window |
| Highest-risk window | Period 1 claims are the most-denied category |
Why Period 1 is the danger zone
The app’s $1M liability famously covers trips — it barely covers waiting. In Period 1 you carry a stripped liability floor, no collision/comprehensive on your own car, no uninsured-motorist protection, and a personal policy that excludes you the moment the app opens. Every denial story in our claim logs started in this window.
Closing the gap
A rideshare endorsement ($7–35/month) extends your personal coverage into Periods 1–2; a hybrid policy replaces the stack entirely. Confirm the endorsement covers Period 1 (they all claim to — verify the state form), then read our real Period 1 denial log to see how claims go wrong without it.
FAQ
Does Uber cover Period 1?
Liability only, at a low state floor. Your car, your injuries, and uninsured drivers are on you — an endorsement fills those holes.
Can I just keep the app off between trips?
You can, but the moment you reopen it for the next ping without an endorsement, you are exposed. Endorsements exist so you don’t have to game it.
Related reading: Period 1 denial log · Endorsement file · Insurer field · Gap FAQ