Getting hurt on a delivery isn't something anyone plans for, which is exactly why the coverage you have while you dash matters. Your own auto insurance is a requirement to deliver by car, and that's the coverage most Dashers have in mind, but DoorDash also maintains occupational accident insurance. It applies to you personally and automatically while you're on an active delivery.
The Coverage You Probably Didn't Know You Had
Unlike many delivery platforms, DoorDash maintains occupational accident coverage that applies automatically if you're injured during an active delivery. You don't have to sign up for it, you're not paying a premium, and there's no deductible waiting on the other side of a claim.
If that's news to you, you're not alone. Occupational accident coverage isn't something you opt into or get reminded about, which means plenty of Dashers have been covered for as long as they've been dashing without ever finding out it was there. What follows is what the coverage includes, when it applies, and how to actually use it if the day comes that you need to.
What Occupational Accident Insurance Coverage Is
Dashing safely starts with knowing what's covering you. Part of that is the insurance you arrange yourself: to deliver with DoorDash, you need valid personal auto insurance that meets your state's minimum requirements, and it's worth checking with your insurer how your policy treats delivery activity, since not all of them handle it the same way. The Insurance page walks through the options there.
The other part is coverage DoorDash maintains: occupational accident coverage is protection for injuries that happen while you're making an active delivery with DoorDash. It's available to Dashers across the U.S., and it applies during the delivery itself, which is the window where most of the risk actually sits.
One important clarification: occupational accident policy and health insurance aren't the same kind of coverage. This applies to injuries that happen while you're dashing, and it isn't a health plan.
It's Automatic, and It's Free
There's nothing to enroll in: no sign-up, no premium, no deductible, and no co-pay. If you're a Dasher in the U.S., the coverage applies automatically while you're on an active delivery, and you don't have to opt in, fill out a form, or add anything to your account for that to be the case.
Two of those terms need further explanation, because they're the ones that usually determine whether coverage is useful in practice.
A deductible is the amount you'd have to pay out of pocket before coverage starts doing anything
A co-pay is the fixed amount you'd owe at the point of care.
Neither one applies here, which means there's no cost you'd need to clear first before the coverage takes effect.
It’s worth mentioning that if you want more protection than what's described here, you're free to get additional insurance from another source, and having this coverage doesn't limit that or conflict with it.
For the full picture of what applies in an active delivery, the Insurance Basics for Dashers page breaks it down.
What DoorDash’s Occupational Accident Insurance Coverage May Include
If you're injured during an active delivery, benefits may include:
Medical expenses up to $1,000,000, with no deductible and no co-pay
Disability payments equal to 50% of your average weekly earnings, up to $500 per week, minus other income
California Dashers: benefits may differ. Check your schedule of benefits for the specifics.
The disability piece is the one worth reading twice, because it's about your earnings rather than your medical bills. If an injury keeps you off the road for a stretch, that part of the coverage is designed to replace some of what you'd normally be bringing in, which is a different kind of protection than covering a hospital visit.
Those figures are limits, not guarantees. What you'd actually receive depends on the injury and on the terms of the policy.*
How to File a Claim
Occupational accident claims are handled by Blue Star Claims, which runs a line dedicated to DoorDash. There are three ways to reach them:
Online at bluestarclaims.com
By phone at (480) 579-2405, available 24/7 all year round
By email at DDintake@bluestarclaims.com
Completing the intake and claim forms is what starts the claim, so whichever channel you go through, that's the step that gets things moving. The phone line is staffed around the clock, which means the time of day doesn't matter and you're not waiting on business hours to get started on something that happened at 11 pm on a Saturday.
There's more detail in the occupational accident policy FAQ, including how benefits are determined and what the policy covers
For anything urgent while you're out, the safety resources in the Dasher app are there too, though remember to only check your phone when you're safely parked.
* Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and local laws. May vary by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does occupational accident coverage cost me anything?
No. There's no enrollment, no premium, no deductible, and no co-pay. All Dashers in the U.S. are automatically eligible. If you'd like more coverage than this, you're free to get additional insurance from another source.
Is occupational accident coverage the same as health insurance?
No. They aren't the same kind of coverage. Occupational accident coverage applies to injuries that happen while you're on an active delivery with DoorDash, and it isn't a health plan.
Do I have to do anything to keep my coverage active?
No. There's nothing to renew and nothing to re-enroll in. The coverage applies automatically whenever you're on an active delivery, for as long as you're dashing in the U.S.
Am I covered if I'm injured while delivering for another platform?
No. The coverage applies only while you're making a delivery with DoorDash. California Dashers: if you're signed onto the platform and not making a delivery, there may be provisions that apply.
Am I covered in every state?
Coverage is available to Dashers in the U.S., though benefits can vary by state and by local law. California Dashers should check their schedule of benefits for what applies to them.
Who handles occupational accident claims?
Blue Star Claims. You can file online at bluestarclaims.com, by phone at (480) 579-2405, or by email at DDintake@bluestarclaims.com. The phone line is dedicated to DoorDash and available 24/7/365.
Where can I find the full policy details?
The occupational accident policy FAQ in the Help Center has the details on what's covered and how benefits are determined. California Dashers can find state-specific figures in their schedule of benefits.
