Uber vs Lyft
What Sets These 2 Rideshare Companies Apart?
Uber and Lyft are the two most popular ridesharing apps around, and while the two are very similar, they are not exactly identical. What differentiates these two competitors in an ever-growing market for ride services? Below, our experienced team of Uber and Lyft accident attorneys from West Coast Trial Lawyers break down the differences between Uber and Lyft and what to expect from each rideshare service provider.
Requirements for Drivers and Their Vehicles
The standard requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers are the same, though vehicle requirements may vary depending on the services that the driver seeks to offer.
| Uber Driver Requirements | Lyft Driver Requirements |
| 21+ years or older | 21+ years or older |
| 1 year minimum driving experience.
3 year minimum driving experience if the driver is under the age of 23. |
1 year minimum driving experience. |
| Valid California driver’s license | Valid California driver’s license |
| Pass driver’s screening (social security number required). | Pass driver’s screening (social security number required). |
| Smart-phone | Smart-phone |
| California Vehicle Insurance | California Vehicle Insurance |
| Driver must have a profile photo. | Driver must have a profile photo. |
| Proof of vehicle inspection. | Proof of vehicle inspection. |
| Must be a 4-door vehicle that is no older than 10 years and is in good condition with no cosmetic damage. Must also have California license plates. | Must be a 4-door vehicle with 5 to 8 seats and is not older than a 2006 vehicle model. Must also have California license plates. |
Types of Services
Uber and Lyft offer a variety of services, which also are similar to one another. They both offer basic services, carpool services, and luxury services. Most recently, each rideshare company has developed bike and scooter rental services, as well. What differentiates Uber from Lyft though, is the food delivery service, UberEats, that Lyft has yet to launch its own version of.
| Uber | Lyft |
| Uber Pool – Up to 3 passengers carpool to their destination. | Lyft Shared – Share a ride with a passenger from another ride request. |
| UberX – An affordable ride with a regular vehicle that carries up to 4 passengers. | Lyft – A regular vehicle that carries up to 4 passengers. |
| Uber XL – Affordable rides in an SUV that is up to 6 passengers. | LyftXL – A regular vehicle with up to 6 passenger seats available. |
| Uber Comfort – New vehicles with extra leg room. | Lyft Premier – A high-end vehicle with up to 4 passengers. |
| Uber Green – A low-emission ride in electric vehicles. | Lyft Lux – A luxury service that has vehicles with a black exterior. This type of vehicle seats 4 passengers. |
| Uber Black – Premium rides from professional drivers in luxury cars that carry up to 4 passengers. | Lyft Black – A luxury service in high-end black cars that seats 4 passengers. |
| Uber Black SUV – Premium rides from professional drivers in luxury SUVs that carry up to 6 passengers. | Lyft BlackXL – A luxury service in black SUVs for up to 6 passengers. |
| Uber Flash – You will be matched with a nearby Uber Taxi or UberX. | Lyft Bikes – Rent a bike through the Lyft app. |
| Uber Lux – Luxury cars with highly-rated drivers. | Lyft Scooters – Rent a scooter through the Lyft app. |
| UberTaxi – Hail a taxi. | Priority Mode – You’ll be given a shorter wait time when you need to get to your destination as soon as possible. |
| UberWAV – Wheelchair and scooter accessible with trained drivers. | Wait and Save – You’ll save more money by requesting a Lyft when you are not in a hurry. |
| UberEats – A food delivery service. | Preferred Mode – You’ll get to decide what type of vehicle, driver, and driving environment you would like to have while you are on your way to your selected destination. |
| JUMP bikes and scooters – A bike and scooter rental. | Rentals – You have the ability to drive yourself by reserving a rental car in the Lyft app or online. You will be given unlimited miles. |
Safety Features
While both ridesharing companies mirror many of the same features that improve the safety quality for both the driver and rider’s experience, such as the driver and rider profiles, emergency 911 buttons, and a 24/7 support team, each ridesharing company offers one unique feature that the other does not. For example, Uber offers unique features for additional driver support, which includes a speed limit warning and dark screen mode at nighttime, while Lyft does not. Additional compare and contrast information is listed below.
| Uber | Lyft |
| Uber Driver Profile – Photo, rating, and Uber driving history information. | Lyft Driver Profile – Photo, rating, and Uber driving history information. |
| Uber Rider Profile – Photo, rating, and Uber driving history information. | Lyft Rider Profile – Photo, rating, and Uber driving history information. |
| Uber Passenger “Follow My Ride” feature. | Lyft Rider – “Share location and car details with friends” feature. |
| Safety Toolkit – Includes an emergency button and safety center. | Lyft – Emergency assistance and call 911 button. |
| Trusted Contacts – Share your ride information with trusted contacts. | Safety at Lyft – Links to safety features. |
| 24/7 Customer Support | 24/7 Support Team |
| Phone Number Protection | Phone Number Protection |
| Speed Limit Alerts for Drivers | |
| Uber dark screen mode for night time driving | |
| Rating Action – If a driver or a rider is rated 3 stars or less after the trip, they are unmatched forever. |
Insurance Coverage
The insurance policies for Uber and Lyft also mirror one another. Both ridesharing companies require that drivers have their own personal auto insurance while also providing them with the company insurance when the driver is performing work-related duties. Essentially, when a rideshare driver is offline, they will have their own personal auto insurance to use to cover for an accident. When the driver is online, the company will offer their insurance to the driver, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Below is a list of insurance policies that Uber and Lyft offer to their drivers.
| Uber | Lyft |
| Period 0: The driver is offline. Their personal car insurance will cover the accident.
Period 1: The driver is online and is waiting for a ride request. Uber insurance will cover for the accident if your personal auto insurance does not apply. Coverage includes:
Period 2: The driver has matched with a rider and is on their way to pick them up. Uber insurance will cover damages.
Period 3: The rider is in the driver’s vehicle and is headed to their selected destination. Uber insurance will cover damages.
|
App is off. Personal car insurance covers the accident.
App is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request. Lyft insurance adds coverage if your personal auto insurance doesn’t cover damages.
App is on. The driver is on their way to pick up the passenger or is taking the passenger to their selected destination. Lyft insurance coverage includes:
|
What Else Differentiates Uber and Lyft?
While both Uber and Lyft appear similar to one another, there are quite a few additional differences that separate these two ridesharing companies, especially when it comes to their image.
| Uber | Lyft |
| Widely available. | Found in and around major cities. |
| Dark and simple app design. | Bright and colorful app design. |
| Corporate and professional environment. | Casual and friendly atmosphere. |
| Has a global presence. | More focused on North America. |
West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help
West Coast Trial Lawyers is California’s top team of Uber and Lyft accident attorneys. We know how to take on insurance companies and fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. There are no financial risks involved when using our services. Contact us today by calling (213) 927-3700 or emailing [email protected] to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate legal team.