Instacart Shopper Insurance Requirements: Complete Guide (2025)

Quick Answer: What Insurance Do Instacart Shoppers Need?

Instacart requires all Full-Service Shoppers to maintain valid auto insurance meeting their state's minimum requirements. Instacart provides supplemental liability coverage during active deliveries, but it has significant limitations that leave most shoppers underinsured.

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Instacart Shopper Types and Insurance Requirements

Instacart has different shopper roles with different insurance needs:

Full-Service Shoppers

• Shop AND deliver groceries
• Must have valid auto insurance
• Use personal vehicle for deliveries
• Instacart provides supplemental liability coverage

In-Store Shoppers

• Shop only (no delivery)
• No auto insurance required for the role
• Work inside partner stores
• Covered by store's general liability

This guide focuses on Full-Service Shoppers who need auto insurance.

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How Instacart Insurance Coverage Works

Instacart provides liability insurance through a third-party policy, but understanding when it applies is essential.

When Instacart's Coverage Applies

Active Order Period:

• Coverage begins when you accept a batch
• Continues through shopping and checkout
• Ends when delivery is marked complete

Coverage includes:

• Third-party bodily injury liability (up to $1 million)
• Third-party property damage liability
• Coverage while transporting groceries

When Instacart's Coverage Does NOT Apply

• App open, waiting for batches - Not covered
• Driving between deliveries - Gaps may exist
• Personal errands - Never covered
• Damage to your vehicle - Never covered
• Your medical expenses - Limited or no coverage
• Comprehensive losses - Theft, weather, vandalism excluded

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The Coverage Gap Problem

Most Instacart shoppers don't realize they have a dangerous insurance gap:

Your Personal Insurance Likely Excludes Delivery Work

Standard personal auto policies typically exclude:

• Commercial use of your vehicle
• Delivery driving for compensation
• Using your car for business purposes

What This Means in Practice

Scenario: Accident while delivering groceries

1. You file a claim with your personal insurer
2. They investigate and find you were working for Instacart
3. Claim denied - commercial activity exclusion applies
4. Instacart's policy covers injuries to others
5. Damage to your car? You pay out of pocket

Scenario: Accident while driving to store (app on, no batch)

1. You're between batches, heading to a busy area
2. Accident occurs
3. Personal insurance may deny (commercial intent)
4. Instacart's coverage may not apply (no active batch)
5. You could be completely uninsured

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State Minimum Insurance Requirements

Instacart requires shoppers to maintain at least their state's minimum auto insurance:

Note: Meeting state minimums satisfies Instacart's requirement but may leave you significantly underinsured.

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Recommended Insurance Solutions

Option 1: Delivery/Rideshare Endorsement (Best for Most Shoppers)

Add an endorsement to your existing personal policy:

Benefits:

• Fills the gap between personal and Instacart coverage
• Covers your vehicle during delivery work
• Keeps your personal policy valid
• Relatively affordable

Typical cost: $15-45/month additional

Insurers offering delivery endorsements:

• Progressive (widely available)
• Geico
• State Farm
• Allstate (Ride for Hire)
• Farmers
• Liberty Mutual
• Nationwide

Option 2: Commercial Auto Insurance

For full-time Instacart shoppers (35+ hours/week):

Benefits:

• Complete coverage for all driving
• No gaps or exclusions
• Higher liability limits
• Covers vehicle damage during work

Drawbacks:

• Significantly higher cost ($150-350/month more)
• May be overkill for part-time shoppers

Option 3: Gig Economy Insurance

Some insurers now offer policies designed specifically for gig workers:

• Buckle - Built for rideshare and delivery
• Toggle (by Farmers) - On-demand coverage
• Mile Auto - Pay-per-mile options

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How to Get Properly Insured

Step 1: Check Your Current Policy

Contact your insurance company and ask:

1. "Does my policy cover grocery delivery driving?"
2. "Is there a commercial use exclusion?"
3. "Do you offer a delivery or rideshare endorsement?"
4. "What happens if I have an accident during a delivery?"

Step 2: Disclose Your Instacart Work

Critical: You must tell your insurer about your delivery work.

Failing to disclose can result in:

• Claim denials when you need coverage most
• Policy cancellation (retroactive in some cases)
• Being flagged for misrepresentation
• Difficulty obtaining future insurance

Step 3: Choose the Right Coverage Level

Part-time shoppers (under 20 hours/week):

• Delivery endorsement on personal policy
• Maintain collision coverage
• Consider umbrella policy for extra liability protection

Regular shoppers (20-35 hours/week):

• Delivery endorsement required
• Higher liability limits recommended (100/300/100)
• Full collision and comprehensive coverage

Full-time shoppers (35+ hours/week):

• Commercial auto policy recommended
• Or comprehensive gig economy policy
• Maximum liability limits

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What To Do After an Accident

Immediate Steps

1. Ensure safety - Check for injuries, move to safe location if possible
2. Call 911 - Report the accident, request police report
3. Document everything - Photos of damage, witness information, other driver's details
4. Note your exact status - Did you have an active batch? Were you shopping, driving to delivery, or between orders?
5. Report to Instacart - Use the app's safety features to report incidents
6. Contact your insurer - Report the accident promptly

Filing Claims

During active batch (shopping or delivering):

• Instacart's liability coverage is primary for third-party claims
• Your collision coverage handles your vehicle damage
• Contact both Instacart support and your personal insurer

Between batches or app-only mode:

• File with your personal insurance
• Be honest about what you were doing
• If denied, document everything for potential appeals

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Instacart vs. Other Delivery Platforms

Key insight: All major delivery platforms provide similar liability coverage but none cover damage to your vehicle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Instacart verify my insurance?

Yes. Instacart requires proof of valid auto insurance during the signup process. You'll need to upload photos of your insurance card. Instacart may periodically request updated proof of insurance, and failure to provide it can result in account deactivation.

Can I shop for Instacart with just liability insurance?

You can meet Instacart's minimum requirements with liability-only insurance. However, this means neither Instacart nor your insurance will pay for damage to your own vehicle. Adding collision coverage is strongly recommended.

What if my insurance company doesn't offer a delivery endorsement?

Options include:

• Switch to an insurer that offers delivery coverage (Progressive, Geico, State Farm)
• Look into gig economy-specific insurance providers
• Consider a commercial auto policy
• Shop around—endorsement availability varies by state

Does Instacart's insurance cover my groceries if they're damaged?

Instacart's vehicle insurance doesn't cover damaged groceries. However, Instacart's platform has policies for handling damaged or missing items through their customer service—this is separate from auto insurance.

How much extra does delivery insurance cost?

Typical additional costs:

• Delivery endorsement: $15-45/month
• Increased coverage limits: $20-50/month
• Full commercial policy: $150-350/month over personal rates

Can I use the same insurance for multiple delivery apps?

Yes. A delivery or rideshare endorsement typically covers you for all delivery platforms (Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.). You don't need separate endorsements for each app.

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Key Takeaways

• Instacart requires valid auto insurance meeting state minimums
• Instacart provides $1 million liability during active batches
• Instacart does NOT cover damage to your vehicle—ever
• Personal insurance usually excludes delivery driving
• Best solution: Add delivery endorsement ($15-45/month)
• Always disclose your Instacart work to your insurer
• Full-time shoppers should consider commercial coverage

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Important Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about Instacart insurance requirements based on publicly available sources. This is not legal or insurance advice. Insurance requirements, Instacart's policies, and state regulations can change. Coverage details vary by location and circumstances.

Always verify current requirements with:

• Your state's Department of Insurance
• Your auto insurance provider
• Instacart's official Shopper policies

Consult with a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your situation.

Last verified: November 2025

Sources: Instacart Shopper Terms, State DMV requirements, Insurance industry guidelines