The day your restaurant starts delivering — your own drivers, staff cars, or a third-party app — your insurance picture changes more than any menu decision ever will. Auto claims are among the largest restaurants face, and personal auto policies exclude delivery. Here’s how the coverage actually works. Get multiple quotes within minutes.
The three delivery models — and what each needs
- Your vehicles, your drivers: commercial auto, full stop — with driver screening that carriers will ask about
- Employees driving their own cars: hired & non-owned auto (HNOA) — the coverage that protects the restaurant when an employee’s personal policy denies a delivery claim
- Third-party apps: the platform’s coverage protects the platform — your liability for food quality, order errors, and your own operations continues, and platforms require your COI anyway
The gap everyone discovers after a claim
An employee delivering in their own car has an accident; their personal auto insurer denies the claim the moment “delivery” appears in the report; the injured party’s attorney sues the restaurant. HNOA exists precisely for this sequence — and it’s inexpensive relative to what it protects. If delivery is any part of your operation, it belongs in your package alongside your BOP.
What delivery does to your quote
Carriers price delivery by how you do it: radius, hours, driver count, and vehicle ownership. Some carriers decline delivery-heavy operations while others — including auto-strong markets like Progressive — lean in. That appetite spread is exactly why delivery restaurants benefit from comparing multiple carriers (see our carrier comparison).
Frequently asked questions
Does personal auto insurance cover food delivery?
No — personal auto policies exclude business use including delivery, which is why restaurants need commercial auto for owned vehicles and hired & non-owned auto when employees drive their own cars.
Do I need insurance if I only use DoorDash or Uber Eats?
Yes — platform coverage protects the platform and its drivers, not your restaurant’s liability for the food, the order, or your operations. Platforms also typically require your certificate of insurance to activate and stay listed.
Ready for your number? Get multiple quotes within minutes from an independent agency that shops top carriers for your restaurant.