Recently in Jupiter, a mom was frustrated to discover her auto insurance policy did not cover her son while he used his vehicle to deliver food for his job. The son is listed on the policy, but the insurer explained it is not their responsibility to cover an accident that happened while the vehicle was being used to make deliveries. The mainstream insurance company refused to cover the damage, so the family went to her son’s employer. The employer also refused to cover the damage. The family’s frustration continued to mount as the insurer insisted the employer should carry insurance for the driver, but the employer knew he technically did not have to. Looking back on her son’s application process, the mother realized her son only had to have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. However, to cover himself in the event of an accident while making deliveries, he would need a supplemental insurance policy, and this was never communicated to him. As food delivery apps continue to increase in popularity, delivery drivers everywhere are cautioned to think about the coverage they carry and whether or not it would be enough to cover the damages of a motor vehicle accident.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DELIVERY APP COMPANIES

If you are considering a job in deliveries, make sure you have the right kind of insurance to cover yourself. Never assume your potential employer has gone out of his or her way to provide you with adequate coverage. Most employers do not want to spend the money it would cost to offer you the best coverage possible.

Food delivery apps have taken over the nation by storm. In 2019, Forbes reported that the following four companies make up 95% of foodservice delivery market share. Last year, these numbers were expected to sky-rocket in 2020. With the effects of a pandemic making its reach from coast to coast, more people than ever have been ordering food to be delivered to their homes. It will be no shock to any of us if those numbers have more than doubled their projection from last year. If you want to get in on the new wave of delivery apps, make sure to read over this quick list to determine which one is right for you. Pay close attention to the insurance and benefits provided with each one.

  • DoorDash
      • Must be 18 years old
      • Must have a driving record without DUI’s, reckless driving, or major violations in the past 7 years
      • Must have fewer than 3 accidents in the past year
      • Must pass criminal background check
      • Provides commercial auto insurance ($1 million in bodily injury or damages)
  • GrubHub
      • Must be 19 years old (21 in Chicago)
      • Must have license, auto insurance, 2 years driving experience
      • Must own smartphone and checking account
      • Must pass criminal background check
      • You are considered an independent contractor
      • GrubHub does not provide commercial auto insurance to its employees
  • Postmates
      • Must have auto insurance
      • Postmates does provide excess auto insurance in the event that a personal insurance policy does not fully cover the bodily injuries or damages sustained
  • Uber Eats
    • Liability coverage of at least $1 million for third parties
    • $1 million total bodily coverage for uninsured or underinsured parties
    • Contingent collision and comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
    • Uber Eats coverage only applies when a driver is operating the vehicle to complete work for Uber Eats. If the drive is technically off-the-clock, then he or she is not covered by Uber Eats coverage. Instead, the driver is only covered by his or her personal auto insurance policy.

WHAT DO I DO AFTER A DELIVERY ACCIDENT?

Call 911. Several major delivery companies have instructed their drivers to call 911 “if necessary,” so be weary of any driver that tries to downplay the seriousness of your accident. Take the initiative to call 911 yourself, and remove yourself from the vehicle if you are able to do so safely. Use your cell phone camera to take photos of any injuries sustained by you or anyone else in the accident, photos of damage done to any vehicles involved, and photos of all proofs of insurance. By taking action immediately following the incident, you are taking advantage of the shock everyone is still experiencing. The longer you wait to gather evidence in this way, the more opportunity someone has to determine reasons against allowing you to do so.

If you or a loved one have been in a car accident while working for a food delivery company or you were hit by an employee of one of these companies, contact us today at Keller Melchiorre & Walsh. We will fight hard to establish fault, file a damage claim, and get you the compensation you deserve.