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Why do Instacart shoppers need insurance?
Some might consider shopping a dream job—but it could turn into a nightmare without the right insurance. Business insurance protects Instacart shoppers in the event of a lawsuit, auto accident, or injury. At a minimum, you'll need auto insurance to comply with state laws.
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Insureon helps Instacart shoppers and delivery drivers find the right small business insurance for their risks.
Fill out our easy online application to get free quotes from top-rated U.S. providers.
What insurance do you need for Instacart?
These insurance policies cover common risks faced by Instacart shoppers.
General liability insurance
General liability covers lawsuits brought by people outside your business, such as a customer who trips over your grocery bags and breaks their wrist.
BEST FOR
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Accidental property damage
- Other personal injuries
Business owner's policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, is a cost-effective way for Instacart shoppers to buy general liability coverage and commercial property insurance together.
BEST FOR
- Accidents that harm customers
- Stolen or damaged business property
- Business interruption insurance
Commercial auto insurance
This policy covers costs if an Instacart driver gets into an accident on the way to the grocery store or a customer’s home. Most states require this coverage for vehicles owned by a business.
BEST FOR
- Injuries caused by your vehicle
- Property damaged by your vehicle
- Theft or vandalism of a delivery vehicle
Workers' compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for grocery delivery companies that have employees. It also covers work-related medical costs for sole proprietors, which personal health insurance can deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits from injured workers
Cyber insurance
This policy helps Instacart delivery businesses recover from a data breach or cyberattack. It's recommended for any business that handles personal information.
BEST FOR
- Data breach investigations
- Fraud monitoring services
- Cyber extortion demands
Errors and omissions insurance
E&O insurance covers legal costs related to your work performance, such as a customer who sues over a late delivery for an important event. It's also called professional liability insurance.
BEST FOR
- Late or undelivered orders
- Damaged or missing items
- Billing errors
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
How much does Instacart driver insurance cost?
An Instacart driver who works as an independent contractor won't have to pay a lot for business insurance.
Factors that affect your business insurance premiums include:
- Type of business
- Value of your vehicle and business property
- Business income
- Where you operate
- Types of business insurance purchased
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Your driving record
How do I get Instacart shopper insurance?
It’s easy to get insurance for Instacart, Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, or ridesharing if you have your business information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. Small business owners can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find affordable coverage that matches the risks of shopping and driving for Instacart, whether you work full-time or part-time.
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FAQs about business insurance for Instacart shoppers
Review answers to commonly asked questions about Instacart insurance requirements and more.
Does Instacart require car insurance?
According to Instacart's independent contractor agreement, shoppers are responsible for supplying their own car insurance coverage, along with workers' compensation and any other necessary liability insurance. The company does not provide auto insurance coverage for its workers.
You'll likely need to buy additional coverage beyond your personal auto insurance policy, which typically won't cover work-related accidents. There's a chance your policy includes enough coverage to drive for Instacart, but you'll need to verify this with your insurer, per the Instacart contract.
There are a few options available:
- A delivery driving / rideshare endorsement for your personal auto policy
- Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA)
- Commercial auto insurance
An endorsement to your personal car insurance policy is typically the most affordable option, but it's not offered by every provider.
Buying HNOA insurance is another inexpensive choice. This policy covers legal costs in the event of an accident in a personal, rented, or leased vehicle used for business.
If you want comprehensive or collision coverage that pays for repairs to your own vehicle, then you'll need commercial car insurance. It'll cost more, but you'll be better protected against costly accidents.
Regardless of which option you choose, your policy must meet your state's requirements for auto liability insurance.
If your business hires shoppers or drivers as employees, then you must provide them with workers' compensation insurance to comply with state laws as well.
Does Instacart ask for insurance?
Yes, it's possible that Instacart will ask to see your certificate of insurance (most likely for auto insurance). Their independent contractor agreement includes a clause that states you must agree to provide proof of insurance coverage upon request.
Instacart might also ask for:
- Valid licenses
- Valid vehicle registration
- Criminal records
- Driving records
What happens if an Instacart driver gets in an accident?
If you get into an accident, your insurance policy can cover the costs—provided you have the right coverage.
How you're covered depends on the type of driving:
- Driving for personal reasons. In this case, your personal auto insurance should cover the insurance claim, up to your policy limits.
- Delivery driving for Instacart. This is when you might need a commercial insurance policy, as your personal policy won't cover business use. A gig worker endorsement, HNOA, or commercial auto policy would cover the claim.
Keep in mind that HNOA won't cover damage to your own vehicle. For that, you'd need a policy that includes physical damage coverage.
Do Instacart shoppers get health insurance?
Instacart offers a few different kinds of healthcare protection for its workers:
- Full-service shoppers can rely on Instacart's Shopping Injury Protection, a type of insurance that covers injuries that occur while shopping or delivering for Instacart. It includes up to $1 million in coverage for medical expenses, disability payments, and survivor's benefits.
- In-store shoppers are employees covered by workers' compensation insurance.
- All shoppers can sign up for insurance through Stride. This company offers discounted health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and other insurance plans.
Do I have to tell my insurance I drive for Instacart?
Yes. Instacart's contract says you should verify whether your auto insurance covers your work. While your rate might increase, it's worth the extra cost to avoid potentially devastating expenses from an auto accident.
Your personal auto insurance probably won't cover food delivery, or any business use beyond a commute. If you get into a car accident while driving for Instacart, your provider might cancel your policy or deny a claim.
The cheapest insurance option is to ask your provider for a delivery services add-on (also called rideshare insurance). However, not every car insurance company offers this option. Another possibility is hired and non-owned auto insurance, which covers personal vehicles used for business.
Delivery driving increases your risks substantially, which is why you need additional coverage. You could also be accused of insurance fraud if you fail to inform your provider.
If you need help finding the right delivery driver insurance, don't hesitate to ask an agent. They can help you find auto insurance and other policies that protect your business and fulfill the requirements of driving for Instacart.