I had $300 worth of steak and seafood in the trunk for a VIP customer. I got rear-ended. The car was drivable, but the cooler broke, and the food was contaminated with glass and road debris. Instacart cancelled the order, but when I asked for reimbursement for the shopping time and the lost tip, I got a generic “Support” email.
Key Takeaways
- You Are the Retailer: Until the delivery is complete, those groceries are in your “Care, Custody, and Control.”
- Shopper Injury Protection ≠ Cargo Insurance: Instacart provides injury protection for you, but they generally do not insure the groceries inside your car against damage.
- No Tip Protection: If the order is cancelled due to a crash, you lose the tip. The base pay might be preserved if you fight for it.
- Clean Up Costs: If milk spills and ruins your upholstery, that is your problem. Personal auto policies exclude damage caused by business cargo.
The “Why”: The Cargo Exclusion
As discussed in previous articles, personal auto policies exclude “property being transported for a fee.”
Instacart’s guarantee to the customer covers the refund to the customer. It does not cover your wasted time or the damage the groceries did to your car interior.
If you are liable for the crash, you might technically be liable for the cost of the groceries, though Instacart rarely pursues drivers for this. The bigger loss is the income.
[IMAGE: Photo of spilled milk and broken eggs in a trunk with a “Request Denied” notification overlay]
The Investigation: Policy Check
I reviewed the “Shopper Injury Protection” and the Independent Contractor Agreement.
1. Instacart’s Policy
- Cargo: No specific coverage listed for goods.
- Vehicle Damage: No coverage.
- Income Protection: No coverage for lost potential tips.
2. Personal Policy
- Cargo: Excluded.
- Interior Damage: If the milk ruins your carpet, your comprehensive policy might cover it, but the “Business Use” exclusion will likely trigger a denial.
Comparison Table: Who Pays for the Mess?
| Item | Instacart | Personal Policy | You |
| Ruined Groceries | Absorbs cost (Refunds customer) | No | No |
| Your Wasted Time | Maybe (Base pay only) | No | YES |
| Stains/Smell in Car | No | No (Business Exclusion) | YES |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Contact Support ASAP: Do not cancel the batch yourself. Call/Chat support and tell them “I was in an accident, the groceries are damaged.” Let them cancel it so it doesn’t count against your cancellation rate.
- Professional Cleaning: If liquids spilled, get it detailed immediately. Send the receipt to your tax preparer. It is a deductible business expense.
- Use Plastic Bins: Never put bags directly on the carpet. Use plastic tubs. It saves you $200 in detailing fees when the milk explodes.
FAQ
Do I have to return the damaged groceries?
Usually, support will tell you to “dispose of them.” If items are salvageable (e.g., canned goods), they are yours.
Does Instacart pay for the towing?
No. You are an independent contractor. Towing is your responsibility. (Get AAA or add Roadside to your insurance).