Part of what makes DoorDash such a great way to earn some extra money, is the sheer flexibility provided.
You are free to work your own hours, turn down deliveries that don’t interest you, and work wherever you want.
One thing that Dashers often wonder about is if they’re restricted to the vehicle they signed up with. Do you have to use the same vehicle each time you Dash, or are you able to use someone else’s car to make deliveries?
It turns out, the answer is more complicated than it appears. In this article, we’ll cover everything that you need to know!
Can You Use Somebody Else’s Car For DoorDash?
Yes. As long as you have at least one vehicle registered with DoorDash, you are free to alternate between other vehicles as you please – including somebody else’s.
However, you nor the vehicle owner may be covered by insurance in the event of an accident. As a result of this, it’s better to stick with your primary car for the bulk of deliveries, and only switch to another vehicle if it’s an absolute necessity.
Let’s delve into this a little bit further.
It should be noted that DoorDash ultimately doesn’t care. You won’t be at risk for deactivation if you deliver using a vehicle other than the one that’s tied into your account. As long as you are using the correct vehicle type (meaning you aren’t delivering use a car, but telling DoorDash you deliver on a bicycle for example), you won’t run into any issues on DoorDash’s end.
However, insurance is another story.
Your insurance covers specific people, using specific vehicles, for specific purposes. With most policies, you are required to have commercial coverage if using your vehicle for DoorDash deliveries. Additionally, you must be listed as an insured person for the coverage.
While this is feasible for many people delivering with one vehicle, it’s likely not going to be the case if you’re using somebody else’s car – especially if it’s a temporary situation.
This means that if you get into an accident while delivering for DoorDash, you may be liable for all of the expenses involved.
Additionally, because DoorDash’s own coverage requires you to go through your own insurance first, they may not cover you if using a vehicle that isn’t registered with your DoorDash account.
Therefore, you put yourself at risk by using someone else’s vehicle for DoorDash – even if it’s not specifically forbidden within DoorDash’s rules.
Does The Car Have To Be Registered In Your Name?
When signing up or driving for DoorDash, do you need to use a vehicle that is registered in your name?
The simple answer is no. Although you need to be an insured person on your insurance policy, the vehicle you drive does not need to be registered in your name.
This means you can safely drive for DoorDash if using a spouse’s or parent’s car, provided you are listed on the coverage.
If you have several people that Dash in your household, this also means that they are both able to share the same vehicle for delivering food.
Ultimately, it is only the insurance that matters. While you cannot have another person Dash using your account, you both can share the same vehicle as long as you are both on the insurance.
Can You Use Multiple Vehicles For DoorDash?
Yes. As long as your insurance covers you for both vehicles, you are free to use as many vehicles as you’d like for DoorDash, and freely switch between them.
This is perfect if you live in a household with multiple vehicles, or you have other people in your family that use the same car.
In fact, DoorDash actually encourages you to use vehicles that aren’t your own – they’ve partnered with the car rental company Hertz, allowing you to use rental cars for DoorDash should you wish to do so.
Can You Use Somebody Else’s Account For DoorDash?
Now that we know that you’re able to use somebody else’s account, you may be wondering – can you use somebody else’s account?
Although some drivers have tried it, you’re not technically supposed to.
Drivers have to pass a lengthy background check in order to have their account activated. Additionally, it is the initial person that signed up that legally agreed to DoorDash’s terms of service.
Sharing your account breaks DoorDash’s policy, and can lead to your DoorDash account being deactivated.
Conclusion
DoorDash allows you to use other vehicles for deliveries, as long as the vehicle type matches what you claim it is within your account.
That being said, it is a good idea to update your vehicle information with DoorDash if you plan to switch vehicles permanently.
I hope that you’ve found this article helpful. If you have any other questions about driving for DoorDash, please ask them using the comment form below.
Wishing you the best,
– James McAllister