Insurance Curator Freelancers and gig workers in the USA face industry-specific exposures — from vehicle crashes to lost client data to stolen camera gear. This guide breaks down the best insurance choices for four common gig industries, gives realistic U.S. pricing ranges, names carriers that serve freelancers, and points to resources to buy coverage in major metro markets like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Quick overview: what every freelancer should consider
- Liability exposure: General liability vs. professional liability (E&O) depends on whether you sell a service or physical product.
- Income replacement: Short-term disability or business-interruption policies for when you can’t work.
- Asset protection: Inland marine or equipment policies for tools, cameras, and laptops.
- Regulatory/contract needs: Certificates of insurance and contract limits for clients and platforms.
- Recommended marketplaces & specialty carriers: Next Insurance, Hiscox, Geico, State Farm, Allstate, and specialty underwriters.
For guidance on professional liability and equipment insurance, see:
- Best Insurance For Freelancers for Professional Liability (E&O): Who Covers Contract Work?
- Best Insurance For Freelancers to Protect Equipment: Gear Insurance for Photographers and Creatives
- For income replacement options, see: Best Insurance For Gig Workers to Replace Lost Income: Short-Term Disability and Business Interruption
Sources used for figures and policy structure: NerdWallet (rideshare insurance overview), Insureon (small business insurance costs), Policygenius (disability insurance basics), plus carrier pages (Uber/Lyft insurance summaries). See links at the end.
1) Rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft): key coverages & costs
Rideshare drivers need layered protection: personal auto insurance, a rideshare endorsement or commercial policy, and optional higher limits.
- Required/important policies:
- Personal auto (always required).
- Rideshare endorsement / commercial auto — bridges gaps when the app is on. When the app is actively carrying a passenger or en route, Uber/Lyft often provide a $1,000,000 liability policy; during waiting-for-request periods, platforms provide more limited contingent liability (carrier limits vary by company/state). See Uber/Lyft help pages for specifics.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist and comprehensive/collision for your vehicle.
- Typical cost ranges (USA, annual):
- Personal auto insurance: $1,000–$4,000/year (varies by state, driving record, vehicle).
- Rideshare endorsement: $120–$600/year (about $10–$50/month) depending on state and insurer. (NerdWallet found add-ons commonly fall in this range.)
- Recommended carriers with rideshare endorsements:
- Geico, State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, Root (rideshare add-ons vary by state — always ask if they explicitly cover Uber/Lyft use).
- City notes:
- New York City & Los Angeles: higher premiums due to congestion; endorsement add-ons often toward upper end ($300–$600/yr).
- Chicago, Houston: mid-range pricing often seen.
Action step: Obtain a rideshare-specific quote and confirm whether the insurer issues a formal rideshare endorsement (not all states allow the same endorsements).
Sources: Uber & Lyft insurance pages; NerdWallet rideshare insurance cost guide (https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/rideshare-insurance-costs).
2) Delivery drivers (DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats): must-haves & pricing
Delivery drivers face business-use gaps in personal policies and need specific liability and, sometimes, commercial auto coverage.
- Required/important policies:
- Personal auto + delivery endorsement or commercial auto (for high mileage or heavy deliveries).
- Hired/non-owned auto liability if you use other vehicles for business.
- Cargo coverage (for couriers carrying goods).
- Typical cost ranges:
- Personal auto + delivery endorsement: $150–$700/year extra.
- Commercial auto policies: $1,200–$4,000+/year depending on vehicle type and state.
- Platform-provided coverage:
- DoorDash/Instacart/Uber Eats typically provide contingent liability and some physical damage protection while on a delivery, but limits and deductibles vary; confirm platform limits in your state.
- Recommended carriers:
- Progressive Commercial, Nationwide, Next Insurance (for small courier/general liability), Geico (delivery endorsements in some states).
- City notes:
- In Miami and Los Angeles, commercial rates trend higher due to accident/theft frequency. In inland states (e.g., Ohio), you’ll often find lower base rates.
Source: Insureon small business insurance cost overview (https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/cost).
3) Creative services (photographers, videographers, designers): cover what matters
Creative freelancers should focus on professional liability (E&O), general liability, and equipment (inland marine) coverage.
- Required/important policies:
- Professional liability (E&O) — protects you if a client sues for mistakes, missed deadlines, or creative errors.
- General liability — protects against third‑party injury or property damage at shoots.
- Equipment insurance (inland marine) — covers theft, accidental damage, transit loss.
- Business contents / condo office if you store gear at home or in a studio.
- Typical cost ranges (annual):
- E&O for creatives: $180–$600/year for $1M/$1M limits (roughly $15–$50/month).
- General liability: $200–$600/year for $1M limit.
- Equipment coverage: $100–$1,200/year depending on total insured value and deductibles (insuring $10k in gear often $100–400/yr).
- Recommended carriers & tech-first options:
- Hiscox (E&O and small-business packages), Next Insurance (creative-specific bundles), Hill & Usher (equipment coverage specialists), Simply Business marketplace.
- City notes:
- In NYC and Los Angeles, event shoots and high-value gear increase premiums; budget higher limits for both E&O and equipment.
Further reading: See our deep dive on gear coverage and insurer selection: Best Insurance For Freelancers to Protect Equipment: Gear Insurance for Photographers and Creatives.
Source: Hiscox small business insurance cost guide (https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/what-does-it-cost).
4) Consultants (independent consultants, advisors): limits, cyber risk & pricing
Consultants are exposed to professional errors, contract disputes, and data breaches.
- Required/important policies:
- Professional liability / E&O — essential; contracts often mandate $1M limits.
- Cyber liability — critical if you handle client data, personally identifiable information, or financial records.
- General liability (less critical for remote consultants, but useful for in‑person meetings).
- Business owner’s policy (BOP) — combines general liability and property for consultants with office space.
- Typical cost ranges:
- E&O: $300–$2,400/year depending on specialty and risk (simple consultants often $300–$900/year for $1M/$1M).
- Cyber liability: $50–$300+/month (based on revenue, data risk, and limits).
- Recommended carriers:
- Hiscox, Next Insurance, CNA, Travelers, Coalition (cyber for small business).
- City notes:
- San Francisco consultants with tech clients will often pay more for cyber coverage; Washington, D.C. consultants working with government contracts may need higher limits and tailored endorsements.
For contract-driven coverage tips (certificates, limits), see: Best Insurance For Freelancers to Comply With Contract Requirements: Certificates and Limits Explained.
Source: Policygenius disability/cost resources and small-business carrier pages (https://www.policygenius.com/disability-insurance/).
Industry comparison: coverages and price ranges
| Industry | Core coverages to buy | Typical annual cost range (US) | Top carrier examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rideshare (LA, NYC, Chicago) | Personal auto + rideshare endorsement/commercial auto, UM/UIM | $1,200–$4,000 (auto) + $120–$600 (endorsement) | Geico, State Farm, Allstate, Progressive |
| Delivery (DoorDash, Instacart) | Personal auto/comm’l auto, cargo/hired-non-owned | $1,200–$4,000 (commercial) or +$150–$700 (endorsement) | Progressive Commercial, Nationwide, Next |
| Creative (photographers, videographers) | E&O, GL, equipment (inland marine) | E&O: $180–$600; Equipment: $100–$1,200 | Hiscox, Next, Hill & Usher |
| Consulting (NYC, SF, Chicago) | E&O, cyber, BOP | E&O: $300–$2,400; Cyber: $600–$3,600/yr | Hiscox, Travelers, Coalition, CNA |
Buying tips to lower premiums and meet client/platform requirements
- Bundle coverages when possible (BOPs save vs. separate policies).
- Raise deductibles for equipment or collision where acceptable.
- Incorporate business entity protections (LLC) — may lower perceived risk and premium frictions.
- Collect certificate of insurance (COI) templates in advance for platform/contract requests.
- Shop through marketplaces for multiple competitive quotes (Next Insurance, Hiscox online, Insureon for brokers).
Final checklist before you buy
- Confirm whether the insurer’s rideshare/delivery endorsement explicitly covers your platform and the three app phases.
- For consultants and creatives, verify retroactive date on E&O and specific cyber exclusions.
- Calculate true replacement value of equipment (insure for full replacement, not depreciated value).
- Maintain written contracts that align with your policy limits; if a client demands $2M limits, secure higher limits or an umbrella.
External sources and further reading
- NerdWallet — Rideshare insurance overview and costs: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/rideshare-insurance-costs
- Insureon — Small business insurance cost guide: https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/cost
- Policygenius — Disability insurance basics (income replacement for self-employed): https://www.policygenius.com/disability-insurance/
- Uber insurance summary: https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/driver-app/insurance/
- Hiscox — What small business insurance costs: https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/what-does-it-cost
If you’re in a specific city (NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Houston), request localized quotes — state regulations and loss trends materially change premiums.