Updated: July 1, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Personal car insurance usually excludes commercial activities like food delivery services (DoorDash, Postmates and UberEATS), potentially leaving you without coverage during delivery work.
Progressive, USAA and GEICO are the top car insurance companies for delivery drivers.
If you plan on using your vehicle for full-time business purposes, consider getting commercial car insurance.
Progressive offers the best delivery driver insurance, with an average annual premium of $1,532 for full coverage (liability + comprehensive + collision). The company offers rideshare insurance coverage and provides exact cost estimates. USAA received a higher MoneyGeek score and has lower car insurance rates, averaging $835 per year. However, it only caters to military families.
Progressive offers insurance for delivery drivers working with platforms like Uber Eats. Personal auto policies usually don’t cover delivery work, but Progressive’s rideshare add-on bridges the gap between personal coverage and the limited insurance from delivery companies.
The add-on provides flexible protection, letting drivers adjust coverage based on how often they drive. It’s usually more affordable than full commercial policies and keeps delivery drivers protected on the road.
Discounts for delivery drivers:
USAA offers delivery driver insurance exclusively for military members, veterans and their families. Since most personal auto policies won’t cover food or package delivery, USAA provides business-use and rideshare endorsements to ensure coverage while driving for platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash and Instacart. Existing USAA auto insurance customers can add this protection for as low as $6 monthly.
Discounts for delivery drivers:
*Note: The rates above are for full coverage policies, which include 100/300/100 liability coverage limits with comprehensive and collision coverage at a $1,000 deductible.
Not all personal auto policies cover delivery driving. In addition to Progressive and USAA, delivery drivers can get auto insurance from other providers. The table below compares top insurers offering rideshare, business-use or commercial coverage for delivery drivers.
Company | Availability | Best For | Not Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
Progressive | All states, except Alaska and Hawaii | Delivery drivers seeking flexible rideshare and business-use coverage | Drivers who need exact cost estimates before getting a quote |
State Farm | All states, except Hawaii and Massachusetts | Delivery drivers needing strong coverage with rideshare add-ons | Drivers needing full commercial insurance for 24/7 delivery use |
GEICO | All states, except Michigan and Kentucky | Budget-conscious delivery drivers looking for affordable rideshare insurance | Drivers who need a commercial auto policy for full-time delivery |
Allstate | California, Texas, Florida, Illinois and New York | Delivery drivers wanting accident forgiveness and perks | Drivers in states where coverage isn’t available |
Farmers | All states, except Rhode Island, Vermont and Alaska | Hybrid and electric vehicle delivery drivers needing business-use endorsements | Drivers who don’t need business-use coverage |
USAA | All states, except New Jersey and Massachusetts | Military members delivering part-time who need rideshare add-ons | Non-military delivery drivers |
Esurance | California, Illinois and New Jersey | Delivery drivers wanting low deductibles and phased rideshare coverage | Drivers needing full commercial auto policies |
Rideshare insurance is an add-on offered by some insurers, but it’s not the only choice. You can also opt for commercial car insurance by registering as a commercial driver. Commercial car insurance covers vehicles for business activities like ridesharing, food delivery, contracting or trucking.
GEICO is the most affordable provider for delivery drivers, offering low rates, rideshare add-ons and strong customer service. However, other insurers also provide competitive options. See the table below for a comparison of costs by coverage.
| Geico | $43 | $522 |
| Travelers | $50 | $601 |
| National General | $50 | $605 |
| State Farm | $51 | $616 |
| Amica | $56 | $670 |
| Chubb | $61 | $728 |
| Kemper | $62 | $744 |
| Progressive | $67 | $802 |
| AAA | $69 | $822 |
| Nationwide | $71 | $852 |
| Farmers | $78 | $938 |
| Allstate | $81 | $971 |
| AIG | $81 | $972 |
| UAIC | $119 | $1,433 |
Most personal auto policies don’t cover delivery driving. This guide explains how to choose the right coverage, whether it’s a rideshare add-on, business-use policy or commercial insurance.
Choosing the right insurance as a delivery driver ensures you’re covered in case of accidents or damage. Follow these steps to find the best policy for your needs:
Most personal auto policies don’t cover delivery driving. Check with your insurer to confirm if you need additional coverage.
If you drive occasionally, a business-use endorsement may be enough. Full-time drivers may need a rideshare add-on or commercial auto policy.
Rates and coverage vary by provider. Get multiple quotes from insurers offering delivery driver or rideshare coverage.
Some delivery platforms offer limited insurance, but it often covers only liability. Make sure you have the right financial protection for your vehicle.
Many insurers offer savings for safe driving, bundling policies, low mileage and defensive driving courses.
Know when your policy applies and where gaps might leave you unprotected while making deliveries.
Getting the best insurance starts with honest disclosure about your delivery activities. Failing to inform your insurer about commercial use can void your coverage entirely.
Getting the best insurance starts with honest disclosure about your delivery activities. Failing to inform your insurer about commercial use can void your coverage entirely.
Insurers reward drivers with clean records, often requiring 3-5 years without at-fault accidents or moving violations. This represents the largest single discount opportunity for delivery drivers who maintain clean records despite higher driving exposure.
Telematics programs monitor driving habits through smartphone apps or devices, rewarding safe acceleration, braking and speed patterns. Delivery drivers can qualify despite higher mileage by demonstrating consistent safe driving behaviors. These programs often stack with other behavioral discounts.
Bundling auto insurance with renters, homeowners or life insurance provides significant savings. For delivery drivers, renters insurance offers the additional benefit of covering personal items during delivery work. Bundle discounts often exceed the cost of additional coverage.
Traditional low-mileage discounts don't benefit most active delivery drivers due to higher annual mileage requirements. However, pay-per-mile insurance can work for part-time delivery drivers with predictable, lower-mileage patterns.
Completing approved driving safety courses can help lower premiums and may remove violations from your record. This discount is particularly valuable for delivery drivers looking to maintain or restore clean driving records.
Long-term customers who renew policies often receive enhanced benefits and lower rates over time. Some insurers provide additional perks like accident forgiveness after maintaining coverage for several years.
Modern safety equipment qualifies for multiple discount levels. Anti-lock brakes, anti-theft systems, automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance features can stack for enhanced savings. Multiple safety features often combine for maximum premium reductions.
Professional organizations, alumni associations, federal employment and military service often qualify for exclusive discounts. Some insurers partner with delivery platforms or professional groups to offer additional savings opportunities.
The most significant savings come from qualifying for multiple categories simultaneously. Safe driving records, vehicle safety features and policy bundling can combine for substantial premium reductions. Most carriers allow discount stacking, creating opportunities for significant savings compared to base rates.
Delivery drivers using personal vehicles often go through different coverage phases while working. Insurance companies categorize these phases to determine when personal, rideshare or commercial coverage applies. Below is a breakdown of these phases and the type of insurance covering each stage.
Phase | Status | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
Phase 0 | The app is off, and you’re using your car for personal driving. | Personal auto insurance applies. |
Phase 1 | The app is on, but you haven’t accepted a delivery request yet. | Rideshare or business-use endorsement is required since personal policies usually don’t cover this stage. |
Phase 2 | You’ve accepted a delivery request and are en route to pick up the order. | Limited coverage from the delivery platform may apply, but additional rideshare or business-use coverage is recommended. |
Phase 3 | The order is in your vehicle, and you’re delivering it to the customer. | Employer-provided liability coverage may apply, but you need collision and comprehensive insurance to cover your car. |
The most critical coverage gap occurs in Phase 1, when you're available for deliveries but haven't accepted a request. Most personal auto policies exclude this period, leaving you potentially uninsured.
Understanding what insurance coverage each delivery platform provides helps you identify gaps and choose the right additional protection. Platform coverage varies between companies and delivery phases.
Each delivery platform provides different levels of insurance coverage, with most offering liability protection during active deliveries but limited coverage during waiting periods. Here's how the major platforms compare:
Platform | Waiting for Orders | En Route to Pickup | Active Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
DoorDash | No coverage | Liability only | Liability + excess collision |
Uber Eats | No coverage | Liability only | Liability + comprehensive |
Grubhub | No coverage | Liability only | Liability + collision |
Amazon Flex | No coverage | No coverage | Liability only |
Instacart | No coverage | Liability only | Liability + excess collision |
*NOTE: Platform coverage may vary by location and change without notice. Verify current coverage with your delivery platform.
Platform-provided coverage usually acts as secondary insurance, meaning your personal policy pays first. Additionally, most platforms don't provide coverage during the waiting period, highlighting the importance of rideshare or business-use endorsements.
A personal car insurance policy may suffice for most drivers, but delivery drivers need delivery driver insurance. Some insurers offer a rideshare add-on for this purpose. Check with your provider to see if it’s available. If not, consider switching to an insurer that offers this coverage.
Choosing between commercial car insurance and a rideshare insurance add-on depends on how you use your vehicle and how much you drive for delivery work. Understanding the coverage differences helps you select the most appropriate and cost-effective option.
Criteria | Rideshare Insurance Add-On | Commercial Car Insurance |
|---|---|---|
Coverage Type | Extends your personal policy to cover delivery work | Replaces your personal policy entirely |
Delivery Phase Coverage | Covers all delivery phases with same limits as personal policy | Provides broader business liability protection and higher limits |
Policy Benefits | Maintains personal policy benefits and discounts | Required for vehicles used primarily for business purposes |
Best For | Part-time drivers using vehicles primarily for personal use | Full-time drivers earning majority income from delivery |
Weekly Driving Hours | Less than 30 hours weekly for delivery platforms | 30+ hours weekly for delivery platforms |
Primary Vehicle Use | Personal transportation with delivery work | Business purposes as primary use |
Annual Delivery Income | Less than $15,000 from delivery work | Full-time independent contractor income |
Coverage Limits | Standard personal policy limits | Higher liability limits than personal policies |
Cost Effectiveness | Most cost-effective option for part-time drivers | Maximum protection for business-dependent income |
The rideshare insurance add-on assumes you’re using your car both personally and for business. Commercial car insurance may be a better option if you plan on using your vehicle entirely for business.
Standard car insurance usually doesn’t cover work with ridesharing companies. While ridesharing companies provide some insurance, it’s often less comprehensive than personal policies. If you primarily use your car for ridesharing, consider commercial car insurance. Otherwise, a rideshare add-on may be sufficient.
Companies usually get commercial insurance for vehicles that their employees use for takeout deliveries. However, if you’re a full-time independent contractor, you’re responsible for your own commercial car insurance.
Truckers must have commercial car insurance. Trucking companies and bus fleet operators often insure their vehicles. You must buy commercial car insurance if you own a truck and plan to use it for business.
If you own a contracting or landscaping business and use your vehicle to haul supplies for your company.
Commercial auto insurance is usually more expensive than personal car insurance due to higher liability risks. Commercial vehicles often require higher liability limits, and insuring multiple vehicles or allowing multiple drivers increases the risk, leading to higher premiums.
Many drivers work for delivery platforms only during busy seasons or as supplemental income. Understanding your insurance options helps you get proper coverage without overpaying for protection you don't need year-round.
Part-Time Delivery Driver Insurance: Part-time drivers face the same coverage gaps as full-time drivers. Even a single delivery trip without proper coverage could result in a denied claim if you're in an accident, since personal auto policies exclude commercial activities regardless of how often you drive.
Most rideshare endorsements cost $15-30 monthly regardless of frequency, making them affordable protection for part-time drivers. Pay-per-mile insurance from some carriers adjusts with your driving patterns, while commercial coverage isn't cost-effective unless you drive more than 20 hours weekly.
Seasonal Delivery Driver Insurance: Holiday seasons create peak demand for delivery drivers, with many starting temporary delivery work. Seasonal drivers need coverage during active periods but may want to avoid year-round payments, especially during winter months when weather-related accidents increase.
Consider contacting your insurance company 7-10 days before starting delivery work, as most endorsements take 24-48 hours to activate. Keep coverage active for 30 days after your last delivery to protect against delayed claims from your delivery period.
Year-round endorsement works best for unpredictable delivery schedules and provides consistent coverage without administrative hassle. Seasonal endorsement suits drivers with predictable patterns like holiday-only work but requires discipline to add and remove coverage properly. Commercial policies only make sense for drivers working 30+ hours weekly during peak seasons.
Most drivers have personal car insurance, which doesn’t cover delivery work. Your insurer may deny your claim if you’re in an accident while delivering. This guide explains how delivery driver insurance works and outlines coverage options to help you choose the right policy.
A rideshare insurance add-on is ideal for part-time or full-time food delivery drivers, as it covers you while using a delivery app. For full-time business use, commercial car insurance may be a better choice.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you better understand delivery driver insurance:
Delivery driver insurance isn’t a standalone policy. To stay covered while delivering food or goods, consider a rideshare insurance add-on or commercial car insurance.
Many app-based companies provide insurance for delivery drivers, but coverage is often limited. Personal car insurance may not apply while you’re delivering. For example, you might not be covered while waiting for an assignment or driving to the pickup location.
Although not all insurance providers have car insurance for delivery drivers, major companies like Allstate, Esurance, Farmers, Progressive, State Farm and USAA offer a rideshare insurance add-on.
Yes, you need additional coverage beyond standard personal auto insurance. Most personal policies exclude commercial activities like food delivery. DoorDash provides liability coverage during active deliveries, but you're responsible for damage to your own vehicle. Uber Eats offers similar coverage with gaps during waiting periods. The safest approach is adding a rideshare endorsement to your personal policy or purchasing commercial coverage.
During waiting periods (when you're online but haven't accepted an order), most platforms provide minimal or no coverage. Your personal insurance may deny the claim if it discovers you were working. This creates a dangerous coverage gap that could leave you paying for damages out of pocket. A rideshare endorsement fills this gap by providing coverage during all phases of delivery work.
Start by contacting your personal insurance company first, then notify the delivery platform if the accident occurred during an active delivery. Document which phase of delivery you were in (waiting, en route to pickup, or delivering). Your rideshare endorsement carrier should coordinate with platform coverage to determine primary responsibility. Keep detailed records of your delivery status at the time of the accident.
Amazon Flex provides commercial liability coverage during deliveries but offers less comprehensive protection than rideshare companies. Coverage is limited to when you're actively delivering packages, with no protection during transit to pickup locations. Independent contractors receive $1 million in liability coverage but no collision or comprehensive coverage for their vehicles.
Some insurers may cancel policies for undisclosed commercial use, while others simply require you to add appropriate coverage. Being upfront about delivery work protects you from claim denials and policy cancellations. Progressive, State Farm, and GEICO offer rideshare endorsements specifically for delivery drivers. The endorsement costs an average of $15-30 monthly but prevents much larger financial losses.
Personal policies often exclude any commercial activities, even occasional work. Filing a claim while doing delivery work without proper coverage could result in denial and potential policy cancellation. If you drive for delivery platforms even part-time, you need either a rideshare endorsement or commercial coverage to avoid coverage gaps.
Rideshare endorsements add delivery coverage to your existing personal policy, costing an average of $15-30 monthly. Commercial policies replace your personal coverage entirely and cost significantly more, but provide broader protection. Most delivery drivers choose endorsements unless they drive full-time or use their vehicle primarily for business purposes.
Adding a rideshare endorsement to your existing policy usually increases premiums by $15-30 monthly. This represents roughly 10-20% more than standard personal coverage. Commercial policies cost 15-25% more than personal insurance but provide comprehensive business coverage. The exact cost depends on your driving record, location, and coverage limits.
Most rideshare endorsements cover work for any delivery platform, including DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub and Amazon Flex. However, each platform provides different levels of coverage, creating varying gaps in protection. A comprehensive rideshare endorsement provides consistent coverage regardless of which platforms you work for, eliminating the need to track different policy details.
If you drive for both rideshare and delivery platforms, your rideshare endorsement covers both activities. However, coverage phases differ between passenger and delivery work. Passenger ridesharing usually provides more comprehensive platform coverage than food delivery. Your endorsement should cover both types of work, but verify with your insurer that multi-platform work is included.
Yes, but expect higher premiums. High-risk drivers may pay 25-50% more for rideshare endorsements compared to drivers with clean records. Some insurers specialize in coverage for drivers with violations. Even with a poor driving record, proper coverage is essential since delivery work increases accident exposure and potential liability.
Gap insurance becomes more important for delivery drivers because increased mileage accelerates depreciation. Delivery vehicles depreciate faster than personal-use cars, creating larger gaps between loan balances and actual cash value. Most insurers offer gap coverage as an add-on for $20-40 annually, which is significantly cheaper than dealership gap insurance.
Finding affordable car insurance as a delivery driver feels like an uphill battle. You're putting more miles on your car than the average driver, which means higher rates. However, you also need reliable coverage that won't leave you stranded if something goes wrong. We designed our research to identify insurers that offer competitive rates and solid protection for drivers who spend their days on the road making deliveries.
Our Research Approach
We partnered with Quadrant Information Services to analyze 83,056 quotes from 46 companies across 473 ZIP codes nationwide. This comprehensive data set allowed us to identify patterns in how insurers price coverage for different driver profiles and locations. Rather than relying on advertised rates or limited regional data, we gathered real quotes to understand what delivery drivers actually pay.
Our analysis incorporated trusted industry sources, including J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores, AM Best financial stability ratings, and NAIC complaint data, to evaluate each company beyond just price. We selected companies based on their MoneyGeek scores across multiple states, ensuring our recommendations work whether you're delivering in Texas or Delaware.
Sample Driver Profile
We used a standard profile that reflects many delivery drivers: a 40-year-old male with a clean driving record driving a 2010 Toyota Camry LE. The profile includes 100/300/100 liability coverage limits with comprehensive and collision coverage at a $1,000 deductible, covering 12,000 miles annually.
This baseline helps you understand how rates might differ based on your specific situation. Younger drivers pay more. At the same those with accidents or violations can expect higher premiums regardless of the insurer
MoneyGeek Scoring System
We weighted our 5-point MoneyGeek scores to reflect what matters most to delivery drivers:
For delivery drivers prioritizing customer service over rock-bottom rates, we adjusted affordability weighting to zero and emphasized satisfaction scores. These modifications ensure our recommendations match different priorities within the delivery driver community.
Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
