# Buckle

> Buckle is an Atlanta insurtech that set out to be the USAA of the gig economy - a full financial platform for the Uber, Lyft and DoorDash workers that traditional carriers priced as subprime. It built a first-of-its-kind hybrid rideshare policy, bought three admitted insurance carriers, and raised roughly $106 million. When the consumer math proved punishing, Buckle discontinued the driver product and pivoted to what the insurance business calls fronting: renting out the licenses and reinsurance access of its carrier, Gateway Insurance, to small and mid-size managing general agents in 43-plus states.

- **Founded:** 2017
- **Headquarters:** Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- **Founders:** Dustin Walsey (CEO & Co-Founder), Marty Young (Co-Founder (former CEO))
- **Team size:** ~190 at peak (significantly reduced after 2023 layoffs)
- **Products:** Buckle Gig / Rideshare Insurance, Fronting Services (via Gateway Insurance), Gateway Insurance Company
- **Notable:** Launched the first rideshare-only insurance policy in the U.S. (February 2020)., Raised roughly $106 million in combined equity and debt., Acquired and recapitalized three admitted insurance carriers, including Gateway Insurance with its 47 state commercial-auto licenses.

## Products & services

- **Buckle Gig / Rideshare Insurance** — A first-of-its-kind hybrid auto policy for rideshare and delivery drivers that combined personal and commercial coverage in a single 24/7 policy, underwritten using Transportation Network Company trip data. Piloted in Georgia in 2019, launched February 2020, discontinued in 2023.
- **Fronting Services (via Gateway Insurance)** — Low-cost insurance fronting that connects small and mid-size MGAs to reinsurance panels, claims systems and admitted paper across auto, commercial and specialty lines in 43+ states.
- **Gateway Insurance Company** — Buckle's wholly owned admitted insurance carrier, acquired from Atlas Financial Holdings, carrying dozens of state licenses that power the fronting business.

## Achievements

- Launched the first rideshare-only insurance policy in the U.S. (February 2020).
- Raised roughly $106 million in combined equity and debt.
- Acquired and recapitalized three admitted insurance carriers, including Gateway Insurance with its 47 state commercial-auto licenses.
- Named a Most Innovative Insurtech Startup (2022).
- Built a national fronting platform reaching auto, commercial and specialty markets in 43+ states.

## Latest updates

- **2023-01** — Discontinued its rideshare/gig auto insurance product and pivoted to a low-cost fronting business serving MGAs.
- **2023-06** — Reduced headcount amid financial pressure as it stopped selling consumer car insurance.
- **2024-01** — Gateway Insurance disclosed it was working toward a multi-phase capital restoration strategy while assessing future business plans.
- **2024-06** — Buckle Services, LLC filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the District of Delaware, listing $10M-$50M in liabilities; the Buckle fronting brand and Gateway continued to operate separately.

## Links

- Website: https://buckleup.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/buckledup
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/getbuckle
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/GetBuckle

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Last updated: 2026-08-19