If you drive for a company like DoorDash, you generally do not need to carry your own commercial auto insurance. But, you should get in touch with your insurance provider in order to work out the details. Some insurers may provide additional coverages for delivery drivers, while others may need to
reconsider your rates given how much time you are spending on the road. In any event, letting your insurer know up front will help to ensure that you are, in fact, covered, should something happen.
So, if you don't necessarily need to buy your own commercial auto insurance, who does? The company. Usually.
In the early days of gig-economy apps like DoorDash and Uber, it was essentially the Wild West. Now, it's going to be expected that these companies provide some sort of coverage for their workers. In the case of DoorDash, the company offers up to $1 million in liability coverage for property and bodily injury.
Still, there are some stipulations.
- This coverage is only for liability, not for your car.
- The protection only lasts while you have the delivery items in your possession.
- There may be an insurance gap if you are technically using your car for commercial purposes, but you do not yet have the delivery items in hand.
Fortunately, insurance companies in the modern era have a better understanding of these services than they did a few years ago. You may find that your insurer already has a solution in place to help you stay covered both on and off the clock. Because the insurance-gap period only covers a small portion of your day, the rates for these extra protections are usually low. But, as soon as you turn in your application to work for one of these companies, it's a good idea to get in touch with your provider and find out what steps need to be taken to ensure total, round-the-clock coverage.
Also Read: Does General Liability Insurance Cover Delivery Person Fall Claims