Torrance Delivery Accident Lawyers

Exploring Insurance Coverage for Delivery Drivers

Whether delivery drivers are covered by insurance depends on their employer at the time of an accident. Typically, the delivery company’s insurance kicks in if the driver’s policy doesn’t cover the entire claim. If the claim surpasses the driver’s coverage, the delivery company’s insurance may step in to offer additional protection.

Amazon Insurance Coverage

With the increasing presence of Amazon delivery vehicles on the roads, accidents are a possibility. It is vital for Amazon to ensure coverage for its drivers, especially in cases of severe incidents that could exceed their personal policy limits. This additional coverage is designed to complement drivers’ individual policies, as these usually do not extend to commercial driving.

Amazon offers liability coverage up to $1,000,000, which not only includes coverage for the driver’s damages but also for any third parties injured in the accident. Moreover, this policy provides protection for uninsured or underinsured motorists involved in the accident who lack adequate insurance to cover the damages. Additionally, Amazon provides collision and comprehensive coverage with a limit of $50,000.

• Amazon Flex Delivery Auto Insurance (50k PD, 1mil liability & UM/UIM)
• Applies when picking up, delivering, or returning packages for Amazon

Uber Eats Insurance Coverage

Uber Eats offers insurance coverage that differs slightly from DoorDash and Postmates. When a delivery driver is shown as available on the Uber Eats app but has not yet started a delivery, Uber Eats provides some liability coverage for accidents. The coverage limits are $50,000 per individual and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with up to $25,000 for property damage. If an accident occurs during an Uber Eats delivery, the liability coverage increases to $1,000,000 only if the driver had accepted a delivery request and was either en route to pick up the food or deliver it.

• Compared to other food delivery services, Uber Eats provides some of the best automobile insurance coverage. 
• If the Uber Eats delivery driver is “Offline” or the Driver app is off, then the driver’s personal policy and coverage will apply.
• If the Uber Eats driver is “Available” or waiting for a delivery request, Uber maintains liability insurance on the driver’s behalf. The following limits apply only if the driver’s personal policy does not apply:
• $50,000 bodily injury per person
• $100,000 bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage per accident
• When the Uber Eats driver is en route to pick up a delivery or during trips, Uber maintains the following coverage:
• $1 million third-party liability
• Contingent comprehensive and collision
• Up to actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible (Effective 3/1/2021)
• Certain vehicles offered through the Vehicle Marketplace are subject to a $1,000 deductible
• Unlike Uber rideshare drivers, Uber does not provide Uber Eats drivers Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist or Personal Injury Protection coverage.  
• The contingent comprehensive and collision coverage applies so long as the Uber Eat’s driver maintains comprehensive and collision coverage on her personal auto insurance policy. As of 2021, Uber increased its property damage deductible to $2,500. Uber does not provide rental coverage to delivery drivers. 
• Uber Eats drivers should expand their personal auto insurance to include rideshare and delivery coverage. While the additional rideshare and delivery coverage benefits vary between insurance companies, most will match the lower deductible on your personal policy if an accident occurs while picking up or delivering an order. 
• For Uber drivers and Uber Eats drivers, Uber offers Optional Injury Protection. Uber’s Optional Injury Protection provides benefits to Uber rideshare and delivery drivers if they are injured in a covered accident. Covered accidents include three scenarios:
• While you’re online, including when you’re available for trip requests
• While you’re en route to pick up a passenger or delivery
• While you’re on a trip using the Driver app
• Uber’s Optional Injury Protection offers the following benefits if a rideshare or delivery driver is injured during a covered accident:
• Accident medical expenses up to a maximum of $1,000,000 (no deductible or copay)
• Temporary total disability up to a maximum of $500 a week
• Continuous total disability up to a maximum of $500 a week
• Accidental death up to a maximum of $50,000
• Survivor benefits up to a maximum of $150,000
• Accidental dismemberment up to a maximum of $200,000
• Unlike some delivery services, Uber charges rideshare and delivery drivers a premium for its Optional Injury Protection coverage. The Optional Injury Protection premium costs $0.0375/mile while on a covered trip. The premium is calculated based on the number of miles driven while with a rider on the way to drop off a delivery order. Uber automatically calculates the per-mile premium and deducts the costs from the driver’s earnings.

DoorDash Insurance Coverage

To drive for DoorDash, drivers must have valid car insurance. If a driver’s insurance is invalid during an accident, DoorDash’s insurance might not cover the costs. The driver’s insurance is primary per the agreement. DoorDash’s liability policy offers coverage up to one million dollars.

If the DoorDash driver’s damage surpasses their insurance limits, DoorDash’s policy might cover the remaining amount, but only for active deliveries. DoorDash defines an active delivery as when the driver has the food in the vehicle and is on the way to the customer.

• Only provides a contingent liability policy. For the policy to kick in, the DoorDash driver must be on “active delivery.” DoorDash defines “active delivery” as times when the driver is in possession of food/goods to be delivered. The coverage does not apply if the DoorDash driver is simply on her way to pick up food.
• However, DoorDash requires drivers to maintain personal automobile insurance coverage. If a DoorDash driver fails to maintain their own coverage, then the DoorDash contingent liability policy will not apply. The same “coverage gap” issues described above apply to all delivery drivers.
• The DoorDash contingent liability policy covers damages caused to third parties up to $1 million. However, the DoorDash policy is secondary, which means that the driver’s personal automobile insurance coverage must be exhausted before the DoorDash policy will kick in.
• For DoorDash couriers that deliver food on foot or bicycle, DoorDash offers a $1 million general insurance policy that covers third-party injuries and third-party property damage.
• As of June 2019, all DoorDash delivery drivers were automatically eligible and enrolled for occupational accident insurance coverage. The occupational accident insurance coverage only applies if a DoorDash driver is injured while making a delivery. The policy covers:
• $1 million in medical expenses (no deductible or copay)
• Disability payments: 50% of average weekly wage up to a maximum allowance of $500 per week minus other income
• Survivor’s payments: Up to $150,000 for eligible dependents

Postmates Insurance Coverage

Postmates and DoorDash both provide similar insurance coverage for their delivery drivers. To qualify for this insurance, drivers must be actively delivering orders. Postmates offers an excess policy of up to $1,000,000 for third-party liability claims that comes into effect when a driver surpasses the coverage limit on their personal auto insurance policy.

• Like DoorDash, Postmates offers excess liability coverage up to $1 million for automobile delivery drivers. The coverage only kicks in after the Postmates driver’s personal auto insurance policy is exhausted. 
• The Postmates excess liability coverage only applies when the delivery driver is on “active delivery.” Postmates’ definition for “active delivery” is broader than the DoorDash definition. For Postmates delivery drivers, “active delivery” begins when the Postmates delivery driver accepts a delivery request and ends when the driver drops off the order. Postmates excess liability coverage will not apply if the delivery driver’s app is in off mode or if the app is active, but the driver has not yet accepted a delivery request.
• For cyclists and pedestrian couriers, Postmates offers general liability coverage up to $1 million for injuries and/or property damage to third parties. 
• Also, like DoorDash, Postmates provides occupational insurance coverage to delivery drivers. Postmates’ occupational insurance coverage includes:
• Accident medical expense: to a maximum of $1,000,000 (with no deductible or copay)
• Accidental death benefit: to a maximum of $100,000
• Survivor’s benefit: to a maximum of $100,000
• Temporary total disability: to a maximum of $500 a week in on-demand services replacement earnings
• Permanent total disability: to a maximum of $500 a week in on-demand services replacement earnings
• Accidental dismemberment: to a maximum of $200,000

Contact Our Torrance Delivery Driver Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been injured due to a delivery driver’s negligence, you could be eligible for compensation. Delivery mishaps are increasing, especially in major cities like Los Angeles, despite being less common than car or truck accidents. With the rise of food and product delivery services, more delivery drivers are on the roads.

At Sheridan & Rund, PC Kahroba, we’ve been advocating for injured Los Angeles County residents for years. Our Torrance delivery accident lawyers can assess your situation and develop the best strategy for your personal injury claim. Reach out to our office today for a complimentary consultation to discover how we can assist you.