Will DoorDash Pay for Car Accidents?

Are you a DoorDash driver? The following article will provide some helpful information regarding whether DoorDash will provide compensation for their delivery drivers who are involved in car accidents.

What is DoorDash?

DoorDash is a technology company that serves people in neighborhoods across the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Germany, with the goal of enabling local businesses to meet consumers’ various needs with ease and convenience. DoorDash is most recognized for its food delivery service. Drivers who work for the delivery app are referred to as “Dashers.”

What Kind of Insurance Does DoorDash Provide to Dashers?

DoorDash does provide auto insurance for its food delivery drivers, but this insurance applies only to accidents that occur while a Dasher is using a motor vehicle on an active delivery. Dashers are considered to be on active delivery from the time they accept a delivery request until the time the customer receives their order, or the order is canceled. If a Dasher is online but does not accept a delivery request and gets into an accident, that person will have to rely solely on their personal auto insurance.

It is also important to note that DoorDash’s insurance policy will not be applied until the Dasher first goes through their own auto insurance and the insurance carrier denies their claim. Furthermore, damages sustained to the vehicle in an accident are the Dasher’s personal responsibility and are expected to be addressed directly by their personal auto insurance carrier.DoorDash requires all Dashers to maintain an up-to-date auto insurance policy and if Dashers fail to maintain their own insurance, DoorDash's insurance coverage may not apply.

What is DoorDash’s Occupational Accident Policy?

The following section will provide some FAQs regarding DoorDash’s Occupational Accident Policy.

• DoorDash insurance coverage applies to injuries sustained by Dashers who were in the process of making an active delivery. It is important to note that this coverage applies strictly to the injuries of the Dasher; this coverage does not apply to any damage to the car, bike, or other vehicle used to make deliveries.
  
  
• Specifically, DoorDash’s insurance policy provides the following types of coverage:
• Medical expenses: Up to $1,000,000 with no deductible or co-pay
• Disability payments: 50% of average weekly wage up to a maximum allowance of$500 per week minus other income
• Survivors payments: Up to $150,000 for eligible dependents
  
  

Am I covered under the occupational accident policy?

As of June 27, 2019, all Dashers working in the United States are automatically eligible for occupational accident insurance coverage (subject to the policy terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions).

Am I required to enroll in this insurance policy?

No, no enrollment or sign-ups are required. Also, Dashers are free to obtain additional insurance coverage from another source if they so choose.

Do I need to pay for this type of insurance coverage?

No, there is no associated cost to Dashers for this coverage.

If I am injured and can no longer make deliveries, will I still be covered?

Yes. U.S. Dashers may be eligible for disability payments of up to $500 per week for injuries related to a covered accident.

I was injured while delivering with another competing service (for example, UberEats); will this policy cover that?

No. DoorDash’s insurance policy only covers U.S. Dashers while making a delivery withDoorDash.

I got into a car accident and sustained injuries while making a delivery with DoorDash. How do I file a claim?

If the injuries you have sustained in a car accident while making a delivery occurred on or afterJune 27, 2019, you can use any of the following options to file a claim:

• If the injury occurred between June 27th, 2019, and June 30th, 2020
• Email: claims@intactinsurance.com
• Phone: (844) 747-6224 (Available 24/7)- Dedicated to DoorDash
• Fax: (866) 213-2802
  
  
• If the injury occurred between July 1st, 2020, and the current date
• Online: www.bluestarclaims.com (complete intake and claim forms to start your claim)
• Email: DDintake@bluestarclaims.com (make sure to leave your phone number for a callback or request claims forms to be sent to you in order to expedite the claim process)
• Phone: (480) 579-2405 (Available 24/7)- Dedicated to DoorDash

Insurance Concerns

As previously mentioned, DoorDash delivery drivers are required to go through their own auto insurance carrier for coverage before being able to tap into DoorDash’s auto insurance policy coverage. After getting into a car accident, it may be confusing trying to determine whose auto insurance carrier to contact.

In “no-fault” car insurance states, a driver injured in a car accident will be required to use his own car insurance coverage in order to pay for medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses, regardless of who actually caused the accident. These states typically require drivers to obtain personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which is a minimum level of car insurance used to pay for medical bills and other related expenses after a driver gets into a car accident. In these no-fault states, a driver typically cannot make a claim against the driver who actually caused the accident unless the claim reaches certain statutory thresholds.

Illinois is not a “no-fault” car insurance state; instead, the state follows a "fault" system when it comes to financial responsibility for injuries and other damages resulting from car accidents.This means that the driver who caused the accident alone will be responsible for compensating anyone who suffered harm as a result of the crash (i.e. via the responsible driver’s insurance policy). 

Furthermore, because Illinois adheres to a “fault” car insurance system, any person who is either injured or suffers damages as a result of a car accident can typically choose one of the following options to receive compensation from the responsible party:

• The injured driver can file a claim with his own insurance company (assuming that the particular damages are covered under that policy)
• The injured driver can file a third-party claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier
• The injured driver can file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault driver
  
  

You will need to make sure you attempt one of these options before you attempt to use DoorDash’s auto insurance coverage. 

What should I do after getting into a car accident as a DoorDash driver?

If you ever get into a car accident as a DoorDash driver, you should adhere to the following tips:

• Move your vehicle. If your accident is minor and there is no major structural damage to the vehicle, move the vehicle out of traffic, preferably to a well-lit area. This will help minimize the risk of other vehicles getting into accidents from your car sitting in traffic and will ensure that you and your vehicle are safe from oncoming vehicles.
• Use your emergency flashers. If you are able to move your car out of traffic, use your emergency flashers to alert oncoming cars that your car is there. This is especially necessary at night, where visibility is low. Using your flashers will help alert other drivers of your vehicle’s presence so they don’t incidentally run into your vehicle.
• If you cannot move your vehicle, get out! Sometimes, car accidents result in a collision that completely totals the vehicle(s) involved. When that happens, it is unlikely that you will be able to move your vehicle out of traffic. If this happens to you, ensure that all passengers exit the vehicle and get out of traffic as safely and as quickly as possible.Make sure that all passengers remain a safe distance from the collision, as sometimes vehicles tend to combust after a major collision.
• Check for injuries. Once you and any passengers are safely out of traffic, you should check yourself and others for any injuries resulting from the accident. If anyone is harmed, even slightly, call an ambulance. Try to provide as much information as you can about your location and the injuries suspected, especially if they appear to be life-threatening.
• Stay Calm! It may seem impossible but try to remain calm after the accident. You want to be able to remember as many details as possible so that you can relay the information to the authorities. Make sure that you call the authorities to report the accident as soon as you are safe to do so. If you do not have access to a phone, you can try to flag someone down to report the accident themselves or travel to a nearby location that is likely to have a phone. Just make sure that you do not go too far from the scene of the accident. Take a deep breath and if possible, write down any details you can remember from the accident. Maintain a safe distance from traffic and wait for the authorities and/or ambulance to arrive.

Were You Recently Injured in an Accident? Speak to an Illinois Car Accident Attorney

If you were recently injured in a DoorDash accident and are considering seeking out legal advice, Palermo Law Group can help. We will work hard to help you prepare a strong personal injury case and will ensure that you are able to hold the liable party responsible for your injuries. Call us today at (630)-684-2332 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation with one of our law firm's experienced personal injury attorneys.