Will Now Require Mandatory Insurance Coverage for All Major Delivery Companies
In response to rising safety concerns and incidents on city streets, the City of Boston has introduced a new ordinance aimed at enhancing public safety by mandating comprehensive insurance coverage for delivery app drivers. Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized the ordinance’s role in safeguarding pedestrians and drivers, highlighting its focus on adapting to technological advancements and promoting responsible regulation within the delivery sector.
“This ordinance is an important step toward making app deliveries safer for our city’s pedestrians and drivers on our streets, and toward ensuring delivery app drivers have insurance coverage from the large, national companies they work for,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As this new technology continues to develop, we want to make sure Boston is leading the way in safe and efficient regulation.”
Under the new ordinance, delivery companies will be required to provide liability, personal injury, collision, and medical payment coverage. This change addresses the lack of mandatory insurance for delivery drivers, particularly in scenarios involving uninsured or underinsured drivers.
Incentivizing Safe Driving
Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge expressed the city’s intention to shift company incentives towards promoting safer driving practices rather than prioritizing speed. The ordinance will also facilitate better planning and response to common issues such as double parking and unsafe driving behaviors through enhanced data collection and targeted enforcement measures.
“We hope to create an incentive for these companies to encourage safer driving instead of the current incentive–speed at all costs,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets. “The data we collect will allow us to plan for the impacts of food delivery, rather than just reacting to double parking, unsafe operation, or congestion made worse by a high volume of deliveries. These common-sense requirements, along with data-informed curb regulations and targeted enforcement, will contribute to a safer environment for residents and drivers.”
Enforcement and Compliance
Following a significant number of complaints related to third-party food delivery services, including traffic violations and unsafe driving, the Boston Police Department (BPD) has ramped up enforcement efforts. In 2024 alone, the city recorded over 100 complaints and took action by towing at least 475 mopeds involved in infractions.
Police Commissioner Michael Cox called for a cooperative approach between the city and business leaders to ensure the safety of all road users. This includes stricter adherence to traffic laws and encouraging delivery services to actively participate in fostering a safer environment.
“As a city, we are safer and stronger when we work together, and that includes our partners in the business community. Each of us has a role in ensuring public safety and we are asking these corporations to do their part in helping us keep pedestrians and drivers in our city safe,” he noted.
Data-Driven Strategies
The ordinance requires delivery companies to submit data on vehicle types, delivery frequencies, and route specifics. This information will aid the Boston Transportation Department in optimizing street designs and enforcement strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of delivery operations on the city’s traffic and safety conditions.
Council and Community Reactions
Councilor Sharon Durkan criticized the previous noncompliance of delivery platforms with local regulations, stressing that the new ordinance will enforce transparency and responsible operations. State officials and local leaders, including State Sen. William Brownsberger and State Rep. Jay Livingstone, have also expressed their support for the initiative, acknowledging Mayor Wu’s leadership in addressing these pressing urban safety challenges.
“For too long, third-party delivery platforms have ignored the rules, prioritizing profit over safety and putting residents, pedestrians, and their own drivers at risk. When I called on them to use their own data to curb their impact, they refused. This ordinance ends their indifference by requiring transparency, permitting, and insurance. Boston has no obligation to cater to tech giants who won’t play by the rules—especially when their reckless behavior endangers our streets,” said Councilor Sharon Durkan, Chair of Planning, Development, and Transportation on the Boston City Council.
“I appreciate the Mayor’s leadership on this issue. We need to work together to make the city’s streets safer for everyone,” said State Sen. William Brownsberger.
“I’m pleased that Mayor Wu is taking this important step to help make our streets and sidewalks safer and I look forward to continuing to work with her and her administration to realize this important goal,” said State Rep. Jay Livingstone.
“On behalf of residents and businesses in the Back Bay, I am grateful to see Mayor Wu and the Boston Police Department take on unsafe and illegal mopeds and work to hold delivery companies accountable for safety in our neighborhood,” said Meg Mainzer-Cohen, President of the Back Bay Association.
The ordinance represents a significant step toward ensuring that delivery app drivers are adequately insured and that their operations do not compromise public safety. Through stringent requirements and collaborative efforts, Boston aims to lead in effectively managing the challenges posed by the rapid growth of delivery services.
