Courier Insurance in Washington
Washington requires Workers' Compensation for couriers. See the checklist below for the full breakdown and costs.
Washington requirements
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory | Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
State regulator: Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Coverage checklist
| Coverage | Requirement | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial AutoCA | Required | $1,740–$4,060/yr |
| General LiabilityGL | Required | $464–$1,044/yr |
| Workers' CompensationWC | Required | $2,088–$5,568/yr |
| Inland Marine / Tools & EquipmentIM | Recommended | $348–$1,160/yr |
| Business Owner's PolicyBOP | Optional | $580–$1,624/yr |
| Commercial PropertyCP | Optional | $580–$2,088/yr |
Cost breakdown
- ·Vehicle type
- ·Driving radius
- ·Cargo value
Required — couriers are commercial drivers and personal auto excludes business use.
- ·Revenue
- ·Drop-off locations
Covers third-party injury at pickup/drop-off; many contracts require it.
- ·Payroll
- ·Crew size
Required once you have driver employees; vehicle accidents and lifting injuries are common.
- ·Goods carried
- ·Cargo value
Cargo/inland marine coverage for high-value goods in transit — important if you move electronics, documents, or medical samples.
- ·Office/storage
If you lease a dispatch office.
- ·Office ownership
If you own/lease a workspace.
Best carriers for courier
Courier insurance in Washington — FAQ
Do couriers need insurance?+
Yes. Commercial auto is required for courier vehicles, and workers' comp is required once you have driver employees. General liability covers third-party injury at pickup and drop-off.
How much does courier insurance cost?+
Commercial auto runs $1,500–$3,500 per vehicle, general liability $400–$900, and workers' comp $1,800–$4,800 depending on payroll. Cargo/inland marine adds $300–$1,000 for high-value goods.
Does my personal auto cover courier work?+
No. Personal auto policies exclude business use, and gig-app coverage may have large gaps. Couriers need a commercial auto (often a business-use livery) policy.
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