What Insurance Do You Need for Spark Driver?
Last Updated on January 21, 2026
If you deliver for the Spark Driver™ platform (Walmart deliveries and other local offers), you’re using your personal vehicle to earn money—which can change how your auto insurance responds after a crash.
This guide breaks down what insurance you typically need to drive for Spark, why “state minimum” coverage often isn’t enough for delivery driving, and the simplest way to close common coverage gaps.
Key Takeaways
- State Minimum Isn’t the Full Story: Spark requires proof of auto insurance, but you also need coverage that explicitly allows paid delivery driving.
- Personal Policies Can Have Gig-Work Gaps: Many insurers restrict or exclude business use unless you add the right endorsement or switch to commercial auto.
- Get a Clear “Yes” in Writing: Ask your insurer if you’re covered while logged in, en route to pickup, and actively delivering—and request written confirmation.
- Plan for Vehicle Downtime: Collision/comprehensive and optional add-ons (like rental reimbursement) can protect your income if your car is damaged.
- The Short Answer: What Insurance Do You Need for Spark Driver?
- What Spark Requires (And What It Doesn’t)
- Why Personal Auto Insurance May Not Be Enough for Delivery Driving
- Delivery Endorsement vs. Commercial Auto: Which One Do You Need?
- A Simple Coverage Checklist for Spark Drivers
- “When Am I Covered?” Understanding Common Gig-Driving Gaps
- What to Tell Your Insurance Company (Use This Script)
- What Happens If You Don’t Have the Right Coverage?
- If You Get in an Accident While Delivering
- How to Get the Right Spark Driver Insurance in 15 Minutes
- FAQs on Spark Driver Insurance
The Short Answer: What Insurance Do You Need for Spark Driver?
At a minimum, Spark requires proof of valid auto insurance, and the Spark Driver app terms require you to maintain at least your state’s minimum auto liability coverage for any vehicle you use to perform services. In practice, many drivers also need an insurer-approved way to cover “delivery/business use,” such as a delivery endorsement, a rideshare/gig endorsement that applies to deliveries, or a commercial auto policy—depending on your insurer and how often you deliver.
Bottom line: You need (1) an active personal auto policy that meets your state’s legal minimums and (2) coverage that explicitly allows paid delivery driving.
| Insurance Item | Why It Matters for Spark Drivers | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Auto Liability (State Minimum or Higher) | Required to drive legally and required to be on the platform. | Keep your policy active, current, and in your name; upload proof for each vehicle you’ll use. |
| Delivery/Gig/Rideshare Endorsement (If Offered) | Many personal policies restrict or exclude paid delivery/business use without an add-on. | Ask your insurer specifically: “Am I covered while making paid deliveries?” Get the answer in writing. |
| Commercial Auto (If Needed) | Some insurers won’t cover regular delivery driving on a personal policy. | If your insurer won’t endorse your personal policy, request a commercial quote or switch to a carrier that will. |
| Collision & Comprehensive (Optional but Often Smart) | Helps repair/replace your car after an at-fault crash, theft, hail, vandalism, etc. | Consider especially if you can’t afford to replace your vehicle quickly. |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist and Medical Coverages (Varies by State) | Helps if another driver hits you without enough insurance; medical coverages can reduce out-of-pocket costs. | Review your state’s options and your health coverage; choose limits that match your risk tolerance. |
Quick tip: Don’t ask your insurer “Do you cover Spark?” Ask: “Do you cover paid package and grocery delivery using my personal car?” That wording gets you a clearer underwriting answer.
What Spark Requires (And What It Doesn’t)
During onboarding (and when you add vehicles), Spark collects proof of auto insurance for each vehicle you’ll use, and the app terms require you to keep at least the minimum liability coverage required by state law and submit updated proof as your policy changes.
That requirement is important—but it doesn’t automatically mean your personal policy will pay a claim if an insurer later determines you were driving for pay and your policy excludes that use. Requirements to join a platform and an insurer’s claim decision are two different things.
You can review the platform’s published terms here: Spark Driver App Terms (Walmart). And Spark’s public FAQ also describes the proof-of-insurance document details they collect: Spark Driver FAQs.
Why Personal Auto Insurance May Not Be Enough for Delivery Driving
Most auto policies are priced and underwritten for personal driving (commuting, errands, family use). When you add paid delivery driving, your risk profile changes: more time on the road, more stops, more parking-lot exposure, and more opportunity for a claim.
Insurance regulators and consumer resources often warn that personal auto policies can restrict or exclude coverage when you use your vehicle for compensated driving. That’s why it’s so important to confirm whether your insurer allows delivery driving on your current policy.
Helpful consumer references: NAIC: Commercial Ride-Sharing Insurance Topic and (state example) Texas Department of Insurance: Delivering Packages & Auto Insurance.
Delivery Endorsement vs. Commercial Auto: Which One Do You Need?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because every insurer files different rules and endorsements, and availability varies by state. But these are the most common pathways:
Option 1: Add a Delivery/Gig/Rideshare Endorsement to Your Personal Policy
Some insurers offer an add-on that extends coverage when you use your personal car for gig work. The endorsement name varies (rideshare, delivery, transportation network, gig, etc.), and not every rideshare add-on covers delivery, so you must ask the insurer to confirm Spark-style deliveries are included.
Option 2: Rate Your Personal Policy for “Business Use” (If Your Insurer Allows It)
Some carriers can rate a personal policy for business use, which may be enough for occasional deliveries. This is highly carrier-specific, so don’t assume—verify.
Option 3: Buy a Commercial Auto Policy
If you deliver frequently, drive high mileage, use your vehicle primarily for work, or your insurer won’t cover deliveries on a personal policy, commercial auto insurance may be the cleanest solution. Commercial policies are designed for business driving exposures and typically offer more appropriate underwriting for delivery use.
Quick tip: If an agent says “You’re fine,” ask them to email you a note confirming your policy covers “paid delivery driving” (or that they added the correct endorsement). Documentation matters after a claim.
A Simple Coverage Checklist for Spark Drivers
Use this checklist to review your current policy. (Your exact options depend on your state and insurer.)
- Liability coverage: Carry at least your state’s minimum—and consider higher limits if you have assets to protect.
- Coverage for paid delivery use: Confirm your policy allows deliveries for pay (endorsement, business-use rating, or commercial auto).
- Collision & comprehensive: Consider keeping these if you rely on your car for income, even if it’s paid off.
- Medical-related coverages: Review options available in your state (e.g., PIP/MedPay) and how they coordinate with your health insurance.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Consider this if you drive in areas with higher uninsured-driver rates.
- Rental reimbursement & roadside assistance: Optional, but helpful if your vehicle downtime would stop your income.
“When Am I Covered?” Understanding Common Gig-Driving Gaps
Insurance confusion usually comes from timing: whether you’re logged into the app, driving to a pickup, or actively completing a delivery. Different policies (your personal auto, endorsements, any contingent coverage a platform might provide) can apply differently depending on your status.
| Driving Status | What Usually Applies | What You Should Verify |
|---|---|---|
| App Off / Personal Driving | Your personal auto policy. | Normal coverage applies as written. |
| App On / Waiting for an Offer | Varies widely by insurer and endorsement. | Whether your policy considers you “available for hire” and how your endorsement handles that. |
| Accepted Offer / Driving to Pickup | Should be covered by your delivery-approved policy/endorsement or commercial auto. | Confirm liability, collision, and medical coverages apply during this phase. |
| Picked Up / Actively Delivering | Should be covered by your delivery-approved policy/endorsement or commercial auto. | Ask if any exclusions apply to carrying goods for pay. |
Important: Don’t assume a platform-provided policy (if any) replaces your own. Treat any platform coverage as a possible backstop, not your primary protection—unless you’ve verified otherwise in current program documents.
What to Tell Your Insurance Company (Use This Script)
When you call your insurer (or shop for a new policy), be direct and specific. Here’s a script you can use:
“I use my personal vehicle to make paid grocery/package deliveries for a gig app. Do you cover me while I’m logged into the app, driving to pickup, and actively delivering? If not, what endorsement or policy do I need?”
Then ask these follow-ups:
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Is paid delivery considered “business use” or “commercial use” on my policy? | Determines whether a claim could be restricted or denied. |
| Do you offer a delivery/gig endorsement, and does it apply to deliveries (not just rideshare passengers)? | Not all endorsements cover the same type of gig work. |
| Will collision/comprehensive still apply while delivering? | Some drivers learn too late that their own car damage isn’t covered while working. |
| Do you need proof I told you about delivery driving? | Helps reduce disputes later; written confirmation is best. |
| Will my premium change, and will it affect renewal eligibility? | Honesty prevents cancellation/nonrenewal for misrepresentation. |
What Happens If You Don’t Have the Right Coverage?
If you’re involved in a crash while delivering and your insurer determines your policy doesn’t cover delivery/business use, you could face:
- Claim denial for liability, vehicle damage, and/or medical-related coverages (depending on the policy language and state rules).
- Out-of-pocket costs for repairs, injuries, and legal defense.
- Policy cancellation or nonrenewal if the insurer believes the vehicle’s use was misclassified.
- Difficulty getting affordable coverage later if you have a gap, a canceled policy, or an uncovered loss on record.
If You Get in an Accident While Delivering
Safety first. Follow normal accident steps (move to a safe location if possible, call emergency services if needed, exchange info, take photos, and get a police report when appropriate). Then:
- Notify your insurer and be truthful about what you were doing. Misstating facts can create bigger problems than the accident itself.
- Document your delivery status (screenshots of the app status, trip timeline, and any instructions) in case timing becomes relevant.
- Follow platform instructions for reporting incidents in the Spark app and support channels.
Spark’s help documentation includes guidance on reporting accidents after you’ve started a trip in the app. Review the latest instructions here: Reporting Safety Incidents (Spark Help).
How to Get the Right Spark Driver Insurance in 15 Minutes
- Pull your declarations page (the policy summary) and confirm your coverages are active and accurate for the vehicle you use.
- Call your insurer and ask whether paid deliveries are covered; request the needed endorsement or policy change.
- Shop if necessary if your current insurer won’t cover delivery driving on a personal policy.
- Update your Spark documents if your policy changes, renews, or you switch vehicles.
- Recheck at renewal because underwriting rules and endorsements can change over time.
Insurance rules vary by state and by carrier. This article is for general education and isn’t legal advice. For coverage specifics, consult your insurer, agent, or your state insurance department.
