TLDR: Your personal auto insurance almost certainly does not cover you while you’re making deliveries. DoorDash provides limited liability coverage during active deliveries, but it won’t cover damage to your own car. You need a rideshare or delivery endorsement, or a commercial policy, to be fully protected. Read on for the full breakdown, and contact Bill Palmer Insurance if you have questions about your coverage.
The Coverage Gap Nobody Warns You About
Standard personal auto insurance policies are designed for personal use. The moment you start using your vehicle to earn money, picking up and dropping off orders for DoorDash, Uber Eats, or similar platforms, you’ve entered commercial territory. Most personal policies explicitly exclude that activity.
That means if you’re involved in an accident while on a delivery and you haven’t updated your coverage, your insurer can, and likely will, deny your claim. Some carriers, like Allstate, have been known to drop drivers entirely upon learning they’re doing gig delivery work.
This isn’t a technicality. It’s a real gap that catches Ohio drivers off guard every day, whether you’re running orders through Lancaster, Circleville, Chillicothe, Newark, or Zanesville.
DoorDash has over 2 million active Dashers across North America.
What DoorDash Actually Covers (And What It Doesn’t)
DoorDash does provide some insurance coverage for its drivers, but it’s important to understand exactly when it applies and what it includes.
DoorDash’s coverage is broken into two distinct periods:
When you’re online but haven’t accepted an order, DoorDash provides third-party auto liability coverage during this window, but your personal insurance is considered primary. If your personal policy excludes delivery work, you may still have a problem.
When you’re on an active delivery (the “Delivery Service Period”), which begins the moment you accept an order and ends when it’s marked delivered, unassigned, or canceled, DoorDash provides up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage to others.
Here’s the critical catch: DoorDash’s policy does not cover damage to your own vehicle unless you carry their contingent collision and comprehensive coverage, and even then, there’s a $2,500 deductible. Damages to your car are your responsibility and fall back on your own auto insurance.
Most sources put average earnings in the range of $15 to $20 per hour before expenses, with some drivers reporting closer to $18 to $19 per hour depending on market and hours worked.
What You Should Actually Do
The good news is there are legitimate options available to Ohio gig drivers.
The most affordable route for many drivers is a rideshare or delivery endorsement added to your existing personal policy. This extends your coverage to include the time you’re logged into the app waiting for an order, filling the gap that DoorDash’s policy doesn’t cover. Not every carrier offers this, but it’s worth asking.
One note of caution from real drivers in the field: major carriers like Geico and State Farm have significant limitations when it comes to gig delivery work. Progressive is one carrier that does offer a personal policy endorsement for gig work, though availability and terms can vary, and some vehicle types may require a full commercial policy instead.
For drivers who dash full-time or close to it, a commercial auto policy may ultimately be the most appropriate and comprehensive solution. It costs more, but it covers you completely regardless of what you’re doing behind the wheel.
Whatever you do, don’t misrepresent your driving activity to your insurer. Telling your carrier you weren’t on a delivery when you were is insurance fraud, and the consequences, legal and financial, are far worse than the cost of proper coverage.
The majority, about 72%, average fewer than 4 hours per week, using it as a supplement to other income. Only the top 12% of Dashers average more than 10 hours per week.
Additional Precautions Every Gig Driver Should Take
Insurance is the foundation, but there are a few other things smart gig drivers in Central Ohio should keep in mind.
Keep a record of your mileage. As an independent contractor, your business miles are tax deductible. The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile, meaning every mile you drive for DoorDash has real tax value. Use a mileage tracking app to log every trip automatically.
Maintain your vehicle regularly. More miles means more wear and tear. Staying current on oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections reduces the risk of a breakdown or accident, and helps ensure your vehicle remains insurable.
Notify your insurer proactively. Don’t wait until you have a claim to disclose that you’re dashing. Call your agent before you start, ask specifically about delivery or rideshare endorsements, and get the answer in writing.
Understand you’re an independent contractor. DoorDash does not provide workers’ compensation if you’re injured on the job. If you’re dashing regularly, it may be worth looking into an occupational accident policy for added personal protection.
Check your health insurance. If you dash full-time and rely on it as your primary income, make sure your health coverage is in order. An at-fault accident that injures you won’t be covered by DoorDash’s liability policy.
Ohio-Specific Reminder
Ohio law requires all drivers to carry minimum auto liability coverage. As a Dasher, you’re required under DoorDash’s Independent Contractor Agreement to maintain your own primary auto insurance that meets those state minimums. But as outlined above, meeting the minimum legal requirement and being fully protected are two very different things.
If you’re unsure whether your current policy covers gig delivery work, the simplest step is to call your agent and ask directly. A local, independent agency familiar with Central Ohio, serving communities like Lancaster, Logan, Canal Winchester, Circleville, Newark, Heath, Granville, and Chillicothe, can help you compare options across multiple carriers rather than being limited to what a single company offers.
Is it a full-time gig for most? For most drivers, no. About 84% of Dashers dash around other responsibilities like a job, school, or caregiving.
Have Questions? Let’s Talk.
Whether you’re a gig driver trying to make sense of your coverage options, or someone who’s been in an accident with a delivery driver, our team is happy to walk you through it. Contact Bill Palmer Insurance today, give us a call at 740-687-5733, or visit bpins.com to get started. We’ve been helping Central Ohio drivers find the right coverage since 1977, and we’ll take the time to get it right for you.
If You Were Hit by a Delivery Driver
If you’ve been involved in an accident with someone who was actively making a delivery at the time, the claims process can be more complicated than a standard accident. Depending on whether the driver was in an active delivery period or simply logged in, different policies may be considered primary. Document everything at the scene, note whether the driver appeared to be using a delivery app, and contact your own insurance carrier promptly. An experienced local agent can help you navigate the process.
Sources: DoorDash Dasher data, Indeed, Gridwise, RidesharingDriver.com | Photo by Kindel Media