Runner vetting, insurance and safety

#How runners are vetted

Every runner passes several checks before they can accept a single errand. We refresh these checks every year, and runners who no longer pass are removed from the platform.

• Identity verification: a government-issued photo ID matched to a live selfie.
• Criminal background check: a national check run by a third-party screening provider.
• Driving-record review: required where a runner will use a vehicle.
• Live onboarding session: a video session covering handling of goods, privacy, handoff rules and safety.

Runners are independent contractors. They are rated after every errand, and repeated low ratings or safety reports lead to review and, if warranted, removal.

#Insurance coverage

Every errand is covered by up to $10,000 in commercial general liability and goods-in-transit protection. Coverage is active from when a runner accepts your errand until you confirm completion.

The $10,000 figure is a combined limit per errand, not per coverage type. Coverage does not apply to cash, gift cards or items you did not disclose in the errand details, or to errands that fall outside what runners can do.

#Safety rules and limits

Runners are trained to decline unsafe or unlawful requests, and you can report anything that looks wrong from the errand page. The following are not permitted on Errand Machine:

• Cash transactions over $200
• Anything illegal or unsafe
• Moving heavy furniture
• Transporting people or pets

#Verifying your runner and handoffs

Before your runner arrives, check that the name, photo and vehicle in the app match the person at your door. For handoffs, runners verify the recipient's name before completing any exchange. You can name a recipient, such as a family member or front-desk colleague, and share a tracking link with them.

• Photo confirmation: every errand ends with a runner-uploaded photo.
• Handoff codes: for key handoffs, a four-digit code is shared with the recipient and must be entered by the runner.
• In-app chat: keep conversations in the app so we have a record if you need to report an issue.

#Privacy and reporting concerns

We never sell personal data. Runners see only what's needed to complete the errand, and location sharing ends when the errand is marked complete. Payment details are handled by a PCI-compliant processor.

If a runner cancels or doesn't show up, we automatically re-offer the errand to other nearby runners and notify you immediately. If we can't complete it in your window, the errand doesn't count against your monthly allotment. To report a safety concern, choose Report a problem on the errand page or email support@errandmachine.com.