Car Insurance For Food Delivery Drivers

Insurance for food delivery drivers

No matter what food delivery company you work for, car insurance is required to do your job. Some companies like Uber Eats have car insurance coverage built into each driver’s contract as part of their larger fleet insurance policy.

However, the car insurance policies that companies like Uber provide only apply when you are online using the driver’s app. This means that you are only protected when you are in the job (actively waiting for a request, driving to the restaurant for pick-up, or driving to the customer’s house for drop-off).

Despite the risk you take on using your personal vehicle for your job, food delivery companies typically only cover you while you’re on the job and nothing more.

Therefore, food delivery drivers in Canada need more than the car insurance coverage offered by the company they work for. The good news is that driver insurance can work in conjunction with your personal car insurance policy to ensure total protection, no matter when you on the road or why you are on the road (whether for work or personal reasons).

To find the best coverage, enlist the help of a trusted insurance broker from BrokerLink and let them know that you use your vehicle for both personal and commercial purposes. When you purchase your own car insurance policy on top of the insurance coverage provided by the food delivery company, you will benefit from twice as much property damage or third party liability protection.

Note that your company’s car insurance policy and your personal auto insurance policy do not cancel each other out. Quite the opposite. They work in tandem to offer you a broader range of protection on the road.

Mandatory car insurance for food delivery drivers

Car insurance is mandatory for all drivers on the road, whether you’re an Uber Eats driver or not. As a food delivery driver, the insurance your employer provides only covers you when driving your vehicle for work, it won’t protect you in any other instances on the road.

Therefore, personal car insurance is still required and although the exact coverage requirements vary by province, we’re using the compulsory coverage in Ontario as an example.

Third party liability coverage

Third party liability coverage provides legal protection if you injure someone else or cause property damage to another person’s property on the road. This type of coverage can help pay for medical expenses associated with bodily injuries or repairs of damaged cars, as well as any applicable legal fees and settlements up to the coverage limit.

In Ontario, drivers are required to hold a minimum of $200,000 in third party liability coverage at all times.

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

Direct compensation - property damage coverage protects an insured vehicle and its contents against property damage, so long as the policyholder is not at fault for the collision that caused said damage.

Under this type of coverage, the insurance provider typically pays for the repair or replacement of your car directly.

Note that to be eligible for direct compensation coverage, the collision must meet the following circumstances: it occurred in Ontario, it involved more than one vehicle, and it involved at least one vehicle that participates in the province’s car insurance program.

Uninsured automobile coverage

Uninsured automobile coverage is designed to protect you and any passengers in your vehicle if you get into a collision with an at-fault driver who is either uninsured or underinsured. This type of coverage can also protect the policyholder in the event of a hit-and-run.

Accident benefits coverage

If you, a passenger, or a pedestrian requires medical attention following a collision, accident benefits coverage can help. This type of coverage is provided no matter who was at fault for the accident and it can help cover a wide range of medical expenses like prescription medications, physical therapy, or rehabilitation, as well as loss of income.

Optional car insurance for food delivery drivers

The mandatory coverage requirements for all drivers in Canada are listed above. But these aren't the only coverage types available to Canadian motorists. There are also several optional coverages, the most popular of which are listed below.

Collision coverage

If you get into an accident with another vehicle or object on the road, no matter who is at fault for the accident, collision coverage can help cover the costs. Under the collision coverage section of your policy, you can receive compensation to help pay for any property damage that resulted from the accident, such as a damaged car.

Comprehensive coverage

Since food delivery drivers spend so much time in their vehicles, they may find comprehensive coverage worthwhile. This optional type of coverage protects against a wide range of circumstances other than collisions. Sometimes referred to as parked car insurance, comprehensive coverage will compensate you in the event of damage caused by an insured peril.

Examples of insured perils are theft, vandalism, water damage, fire, riots, falling objects, and more.

Accident forgiveness coverage

The last optional type of coverage that may appeal to food delivery drivers is accident forgiveness. This type of coverage is recommended for new or high risk drivers as it prevents the insurance company from raising your rate after your first at-fault accident.

The cost of car insurance for Uber Eats drivers

Since some food delivery companies provide their drivers with basic insurance coverage, you won’t need to pay to be covered while driving for your job. However, you will need to pay for your personal auto insurance policy.

Insurance companies consider a variety of factors when calculating car insurance premiums, including your age, marital status, location, claims history, the type of vehicle you drive, and more. One other factor that matters is your driving record.

Driving record matters

Your driving record is one of the most important factors used to determine your car insurance rate. A person’s driving record includes any and all incidents they have been involved in, from accidents to DUIs to speeding tickets.

The cleaner your record, the lower your premium will be. It’s worth noting that driving infractions can follow you around for years or even decades.

For food delivery drivers, a poor record can impact both your personal auto insurance policy and your fleet policy provided by your employer. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain a clean driving record free from infractions.

Saving money on Uber Eats car insurance

Since companies like Uber provide car insurance to drivers, you won’t need to pay for this coverage out-of-pocket. However, when purchasing a personal auto insurance policy, it’s up to you to pay for it.

Here at BrokerLink, we never want car insurance to break the bank, which is why we’re providing a list of our top tips for saving money on auto insurance in Canada.

• Purchase car insurance for more than one vehicle from the same provider (savings of up to 20%)
• Buy multiple insurance policies (home insurance, business insurance, leisure vehicle insurance, etc.…) from the same provider (savings of up to 15%)
• Install winter tires on your vehicle
• Purchase a hybrid or electric vehicle (savings of up to 5%)
• Increase your deductible
• Enrol in driving school (for young drivers)
• Pay car insurance annually rather than monthly

Driving tips for food delivery drivers in Canada

Ensure your success as a food delivery driver in Canada by following the driving tips below:

• Check the weather: Inclement weather can lead to hazardous road conditions. Before you start your shift, check the weather forecast and make sure there is no risk of thunderstorms, hail, or snowstorms.
• Check traffic: Keep an eye on traffic updates before your shift. You don’t want to get stuck on a highway in the middle of an accident. Checking traffic can save you
• Time by allowing you to take faster, alternative routes.
• Use a reliable GPS and program it before leaving: GPS is everything to food delivery drivers. Having a reliable GPS that can instruct you where to go with ease is critical to doing your job.
• Seek out shortcuts: As you become more familiar with your city, make a note of any shortcuts or time-saving routes. This will ensure you can provide the fastest possible service to your customers.

Compare car insurance coverage for Uber Eats drivers with a trusted insurance broker

Shopping for any type of car insurance can be confusing, but especially so for Uber Eats drivers who might be wondering where their employer coverage ends and their personal coverage begins. Luckily, BrokerLink is here to take the stress and confusion out of shopping for car insurance.

BrokerLink has an entire team of insurance brokers dedicated to helping you find quality auto insurance at an affordable rate. When you work with a BrokerLink broker, you can take advantage of our unparalleled resources, expertise, and unbiased advice (did we mention that insurance brokerages work independently of insurance companies?). Plus, we’ll be working behind the scenes to find the best policy for you.

Contact BrokerLink to learn more about car insurance for Uber Eats drivers

Are you a food delivery driver who needs car insurance?

At BrokerLink, we know the ins and outs of the auto insurance industry and will ensure you find a policy that meets your needs and complies with provincial regulations.

When you get in touch with us, we work find the best car insurance coverage at the most competitive price using our customer-first approach. BrokerLink’s insurance advisors will take the time to understand your needs before shopping for auto insurance. We obtain and compare car insurance quotes from Canada’s top insurance companies.

From there, we will walk you through the coverage options and costs of each to find the right one for you.

To begin your car insurance journey or request a free quote, contact BrokerLink today. We can be reached by phone, email, or in person at any of our locations across Canada.

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