Insurance Requirements for Uber Eats Drivers

Although Uber Eats provides some insurance coverage while you’re on the job, you’ll most likely need liability insurance to be hired in the first place.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Jessa Claeys
background
Uber Eats provides its delivery drivers with car insurance. However, this coverage only applies when you’re on the job. To stay fully protected between deliveries, you may want to purchase a rideshare or delivery policy to add to your insurance plan.
Making a few extra bucks delivering food through Uber Eats could ease some financial strain. But the company’s insurance requirements can be a little confusing. While you’ll be covered in certain circumstances, getting in an accident when you’re not covered can leave you with some pretty expensive repair costs.
But no need to stress! We’ve put together a guide to Uber Eats’s insurance requirements, provided coverage, and where you may need to fill in the gaps in Uber Eats’s insurance offerings. Let’s get started!

What are the Uber Eats insurance requirements?

To sign up as an Uber Eats delivery driver, you first have to provide proof of a personal insurance plan that fulfills your state’s legal requirements. This typically entails
liability coverage
with specific minimum coverage limits—at the very least. 
In some states, this will include
personal injury protection (PIP)
and
uninsured/underinsured motorist
, as well. Regardless, make sure you have
car insurance
before you apply for an Uber Eats job.
You will also need to provide the following documentation:
Once you show proof of insurance and upload the above documents online, your Uber Eats account can be approved and you can start making deliveries!
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Does a personal car insurance policy cover Uber Eats?

Your personal car insurance will cover your vehicle whenever you are out on the road. However, some providers may not cover driving for business purposes. It’s essential that you let your provider know as soon as possible if you start working for a delivery or rideshare service to make sure you’re still protected in the case of an accident. 
Even though Uber Eats provides its drivers with coverage while out on the job, this insurance won’t replace your personal insurance. Plus, there are gaps in the company’s coverage.
For example, if your driver app is off, only your personal insurance will apply. So, even though Uber Eats offers some of the best insurance in the delivery and rideshare business, it still won’t be enough to replace your personal insurance.
And if you’re driving in the state of New York, you’ll only have your personal
New York auto insurance
to protect you on the job as Uber Eats does not provide coverage.
That’s why it may be worth considering commercial, rideshare, or delivery coverage policies to provide extra protection when Uber Eats insurance does not apply. First, let’s take a look at what coverage Uber Eats offers its drivers.

Does Uber Eats provide car insurance?

Uber Eats provides pretty good car insurance coverage for its drivers. However, it’s important to know the amount of coverage you’ll have on the job and when that coverage applies.
The main insurance provided by Uber Eats only applies when you’re making deliveries. You’ll also have liability coverage when you’re waiting for new jobs to come in on your app. However, insurance through Uber Eats won’t apply if you’re dropping your kids off at school or out running errands.
Let’s start with the main insurance automatically provided when you sign up to be an Uber Eats driver. Whenever you are actively making a delivery and are signed onto the app, you’ll have the following coverage:
  • $1,000,000 in combined third-party liability insurance
  • Compensation for vehicle damages if you have comprehensive and collision insurance on your personal insurance
  • Personal injury protection (PIP) if required in your state 
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if required in your state
Keep in mind that you’ll also spend time waiting for new jobs to appear on your app if you are signed in and marked as available. Between deliveries, you will only have the following liability coverage with Uber Eats:
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Why you should consider additional car insurance coverage

As mentioned above, although Uber Eats offers decent auto insurance, there are major gaps that can cost you a lot if you’re in an accident when you’re not actively making a delivery. That’s why Uber Eats drivers may want to consider adding coverage to their personal insurance policies.
Starting with full coverage is a good idea. This
type of insurance
makes sure that you’ll have some (or even all) of your repairs covered in the case of an accident or non-accident incident, regardless of who is at fault. 
Full-coverage insurance generally includes:
  • Collision coverage
    : This policy will cover damages caused by a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.
  • Comprehensive coverage
    : This policy will kick in if your vehicle is damaged by weather, vandals, wildlife, or other non-accident-related causes.
Purchasing full coverage has an added benefit—if you have this policy on your auto insurance, Uber Eats provides extra coverage. In the case of an accident, Uber Eats will cover physical damage up to your vehicle’s
actual cash value
. The coverage comes with a $1,000 deductible.
Some other auto insurance policies you may want to add are commercial, delivery, or rideshare coverage. Insurance companies such as
GEICO
and
Progressive
offer these policies to help fill in gaps in coverage provided by Uber Eats and other services. But be aware that these plans will likely raise your insurance by 15 to 20%.
Whether you need additional insurance or not will depend on your driving habits, the level of protection you feel comfortable with, and what your provider offers. As an example, if food delivery makes up less than 50% of your total driving time, your standard car insurance plan may be enough for your needs.
The state you live in and the options offered by your insurance provider will also affect your insurance needs. To make sure you’re driving with the legally-required amount of insurance, talk to your insurance agent. 
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FAQs

Uber Eats requires you to have a personal auto insurance policy that fulfills your state’s mandated minimums. In order to be hired, you must be able to provide proof of insurance as well as your car registration and driver’s license.
It’s likely that driving with Uber Eats will cause your insurance rates to go up. You have to let your insurance provider know that you’re using your car for business purposes. Otherwise, they may deny future accident claims.
You don’t have to purchase additional coverage to work for Uber Eats, but if you choose to add rideshare or delivery insurance, you can expect your insurance premium to increase by 15 to 20%.
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