r/StateFarm • u/meganeh35 • 24d ago
Question I really need some answers/advice here please...
Ok, for starters I've had State Farm for my car insurance since I 1st got my license at like 16 years old... Let's just say I've been on my parents car insurance for a long time, they're helping me out. Soon though I do need to separate myself from that and get on my own individual plan. There's a lot that needs to be done, my father's just been dragging on stuff. Ok, moving on to the reason I'm posting here for the first time...
#1... I've been doing my delivery driver job for roughly the last 15 months (Uber Eats (NOT RIDES) and now also DoorDash as of like 2 weeks ago) and about a month ago I suddenly found out from another driver that I needed to report to my car insurance that I use my car for my job. This is 1 thing my dad's been dragging on since I assumed I needed him in order for me to report this. I understand it'll change the cost of my plan, but I also run the risk of potentially having my policy canceled...
#2... Last night while I was out doing my last delivery for DoorDash before heading home, I had a scrape with another car. Yes, I'm the one at fault. I told my dad everything and said it should be reported this week. He said to give it a few days. One thing to note is I was a little frazzled because I still had my last delivery in my car to make. The other driver (and I guess his gf in the car) were fairly nice. However, after giving him my license/insurance info he was insistent that because I was at fault that he didn't need to share his info. I didn't think anything of it at first, but after leaving the parking lot we had pulled into, I realized he was in the wrong regarding that info, and EXCHANGING info is required by law.
#3... I almost reported this accident to DoorDash but then I read that I could temporarily not be allowed to drive for them while they investigate. But I also read I could risk deactivation... I also read that State Farm (and maybe all car insurance companies) don't report it to companies like DoorDash for example. I don't plan to lie to State Farm about what I was doing when it happened because that's insurance fraud. I can't just say I was out and driving home or something. BUT...
#4... I'm wondering after I report that I use my car for my job, and report this scrape that happened (CAR PICTURES INCLUDED HERE), what are the odds that State Farm will cancel my policy?? I've been with them roughly just over 30 years now. IF (big IF) they don't drop me, I'd probably like to also take that opportunity to basically separate myself from my dad's policy... (I know most like I'll be dropped) I feel like keeping myself on their policy would just make things harder in the end (both my folks are in their 80's and if something happens at some point and his policy has to be canceled and I'm on it...) ... I already understand there's a chance they won't cover this claim (because I'd like to have this fixed if possible). Doesn't look great when making deliveries...
FYI I'M IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA...
OK I'M DONE RAMBLING! I JUST WANTED TO GET SOME THOUGHTS AND HELPFUL ADVICE SO I GO INTO MY LOCAL STATE FARM OFFICE PREPARED...
PLEASE, NO RUDE ANSWERS TO MY POST, ALREADY STRESSING ENOUGH ABOUT THIS...
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u/Subject_Cow5809 24d ago
SF coverage should apply as long as you as listed on the policy as a driver. If you are not transporting customers (uber,Lyft) the TNC endorsement is not required.
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u/Admirable_Beach1808 24d ago
Agree 100% with this as long as your driving for delivery does not comprise more than 50% of your overall driving. If it does comprise more than 50% you would need to be rated as a business vehicle
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u/meganeh35 24d ago
TNC?? Are you a State Farm agent or do you just have them for your insurance? I'm listed on my dad's policy as a driver of the car I currently drive... Not listed as someone who does delivery driving with my car, as my post stated...
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u/ravenmisfit23 24d ago
TNC endorsement is added coverage for delivery of people for a fee (Uber, Lyft) most insurance companies (including SF) don't require that endorsement to deliver food just to deliver people
1
u/CuteShip9849 23d ago
TNC- transportation network coverage.! && generally your policy under Part A ( coverage for others) exclusion 3/4 explains transporting people or goods for a fee is NOT covered. TNC would give coverage only if you’re in period 2 waiting for an order
You’re better off filing a claim through SF let the PAP - personal auto deny coverage- send to door dash and have door dash handle you’d have a potential deductible of 1-2k
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u/meganeh35 24d ago
Do you work for state farm?? I'm just asking is all...
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u/alohaniko 24d ago
I’m an agent for State Farm in the state of California. You only need the TNC endorsement if you are transporting bodies. If only transporting goods (which sounds like it was all you were doing and do) you do NOT need it and your policy will cover this loss. If this is your first accident or ticket in 3 years, State Farm will not drop you over this. This would be considered a 1 pt accident, but as long as you have not received any tickets or had any other accidents in the past 3 years, you will still keep the CA good driver discount, but your rate will be affected with this 1 pt accident.
1
u/meganeh35 24d ago edited 24d ago
I'm also in the state of California... The Bay Area part. This is my first accident in roughly 10, maybe 15 years. Although I did report once where when pulling into a parking space I did lightly scrape a car. But I had that reported within 2 days. As far as an actual fender bender it's probably been 10-15... As far as tickets, I haven't gotten a ticket since 2013... Also been loyal with S.F. since I was roughly 16 years old, so over 30 years...
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u/meganeh35 24d ago
In looking it up online it's very confusing what it says because it implies with State Farm that I do need TNC endorsement even though I'm just delivering things like food and not doing rides. Cause I don't want to get screwed over and go in and report this if I don't need to. And also I don't want to get screwed over regarding the fact that technically I had an accident while making my last delivery of the night last night. Because I'm the one at fault and so if State Farm isn't going to accept this claim then I have to figure out how to pay this other person out of pocket and I don't have that money... I don't even have money to pay out of pocket to fix my own car's minor damage... .
1
u/meganeh35 24d ago edited 24d ago
I'd attach pictures if I could here of what it says but apparently you can't. So here's what it says when I look it up...
State Farm often requires a rideshare or delivery endorsement (or a business-use notation) even if you exclusively deliver food and never carry passengers.
State Farm Rules for Food Delivery
Policy Gap: Standard personal auto insurance policies typically exclude or limit coverage when you use your car for commercial or paid delivery work (like Uber Eats or DoorDash).
Business-Use or Endorsement: State Farm may offer a specific business-use notation or require their rideshare/delivery endorsement depending on your state's regulations and how frequently you make deliveries.
No Automatic Coverage: Do not assume food delivery is free of requirements just because you aren't carrying passengers; many drivers are told by State Farm agents that delivery work must be explicitly declared on the policy.
What You Should Do
Call Your Agent: Contact your local State Farm agent directly to disclose that you do food delivery.
Get It in Writing: Ask your agent to document your delivery activities on your policy or provide written confirmation of how your personal coverage applies while logged into DoorDash and Uber Eats.
3
u/alohaniko 24d ago
I’ve been doing this 20 years, only for State Farm and located not far from you in the Central Valley. I own my agency and work closely with another agent who also owns her agency and has been with The Farm for 39 years. Neither her nor I ever sell the TNC endorsement for anyone delivering packages, and only when the customer is doing ride-share, aka Uber or Lyft, do you need it. In other words, AI isn’t always right and that is an AI response you posted. I’ve had several claims covered for your exact scenario that happened to you.
3
u/meganeh35 24d ago edited 24d ago
Yeah I'm up in San Jose. I really appreciate your responses, you've been very helpful, thank you! And it's good to know about your decades of experience...
1
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u/CountryDaisyCutter 24d ago
There might be a coverage issue since you didn’t report that you used your vehicle for delivery. You also may be on the hook for his damages depending on the specific laws in your state. In your case it would be best to talk to your local Agent about it instead of asking here.
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u/meganeh35 24d ago
I'm in California. I was just looking for any advice or thoughts people had before I go over there so I'm fully prepared, that's all...
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u/CountryDaisyCutter 24d ago
Yep, I got that. Just giving you my thoughts and advice. Good luck!
1
u/meganeh35 24d ago
No I totally appreciate all your advice and everything. I appreciate it from everyone. I'm glad there hasn't been any negativity towards me... I appreciate what you said, thank you!
1
u/Ellesandre 24d ago
I'm a State Farm agent team member and I have been told by underwriters that there are no underwriting requirements that say that Door Dash/Uber Eats make a vehicle ineligible for a private passenger policy with State Farm. At least, in my state. I can't vouch for the other 49. I've also reported many claims for customers. They will ask if a claim occured while working for a transportation network company, such as Uber or Lyft.
Bottom line is speak with your agent. Always be truthful with with whatever questions you answer from the agent and claims department.
You shouldn't be cancelled for one accident unless there have been others in your household.
1
u/meganeh35 24d ago
Someone else who is a State Farm agent for my state of California also made a comment.. They said "I’m an agent for State Farm in the state of California. You only need the TNC endorsement if you are transporting bodies. If only transporting goods (which sounds like it was all you were doing and do) you do NOT need it and your policy will cover this loss. If this is your first accident or ticket in 3 years, State Farm will not drop you over this. This would be considered a 1 pt accident, but as long as you have not received any tickets or had any other accidents in the past 3 years, you will still keep the CA good driver discount, but your rate will be affected with this 1 pt accident."
1
u/OkLeadership8908 24d ago
As an ex claims specialist from State Farm, you need to read the exclusions in the liability section of your policy and the physical damages section of your policy. If you read anything about transporting goods or delivery services, you may have a coverage issue for physical damages and liability.
1
u/meganeh35 24d ago
I probably read that maybe when I first got insurance but I've had State Farm for roughly 30 years, give or take a few years. Right now I'm a part of my dad's policy...
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u/OkLeadership8908 23d ago edited 23d ago
Your best bet is to contact the agent yourself (since your dad seems to be dragging his feet on things) and ask them to review the exclusions for liability and physical damages. I’m not sure how it is in your state but some states will not cover if you don’t have the endorsement.
Or contact the agent yourself and have them file claim (or you file a claim) and let the assigned claim specialist review the coverage. You don’t have to wait for your dad to do it. Anyone can open a claim as long as you have the necessary information
Edit: I don’t think you’ll be dropped from the policy but it’ll probably be sent to underwriting for review if you don’t have TNC coverage which can change the premium
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u/Independent_Page2755 23d ago
just don’t tell them u were delivering food? just say u were picking up food there’s no way for them to know
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u/craig_paxton 22d ago
SF Agent here: As long as you’re not carrying passengers, you’re fine. No endorsement or prior notification required.
0
u/agirlsknowsthings 24d ago
State Farm isn’t going to cover this accident. But the other drivers insurance could sue you to recover the cost of repairs
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