Car Valeting Insurance

What is car valeting insurance?

Car valeting insurance is a type of motor trade insurance for businesses or sole traders that clean and valet vehicles. It protects you against the risks that come with handling, moving and working on other people's cars, whether you operate from premises or as a mobile valeter.

The right policy depends on how you work. A sole trader working from home with no staff has very different needs from a business with premises, employees and stock. Because valeting falls under motor trade, specialist insurers rather than standard business insurers usually provide the cover.

Do I need insurance to run a car valeting business?

Yes, in most cases. Anyone operating a valeting business is generally advised to hold a motor trade insurance policy, and two parts of it can be legal requirements.

• Road risk insurance is a legal requirement at a minimum if you have to drive a customer's vehicle as part of your job, even just to move it on and off your premises.
• Employers' liability insurance is typically a legal requirement if you have employees.

Beyond the legal minimum, you may want public liability to cover damage to the public or their property, and cover for your premises, stock and equipment. If you are unsure what level of cover you need, you can ask for advice when an insurer on the panel contacts you about your quote.

What does car valeting insurance cover?

There are two main types of cover for valeters: road risk and combined motor trade.

A combined policy may include employers' liability, insurance for your commercial premises, public liability, business interruption, stock insurance and more. Arranging a combined policy is often cheaper than organising individual policies, and it is usually a great deal easier to manage because everything renews together.

What is not covered by car valeting insurance?

A road risk only policy does not cover your premises, equipment, stock or liability to the public or employees, so if you rely on it alone you are only covered for driving vehicles.

Cover is also limited to the people and activities named on the policy. Who you name on it affects both your risk and your price, so any staff who drive customer vehicles need to be included. The source material also stresses not over-insuring: only include the covers you actually require, and if in doubt discuss what applies to your business with the insurer when they contact you.

How much does car valeting insurance cost?

There is no fixed price. The cost of a valeting policy depends on a number of factors, including your experience, your location, your employees and the covers you choose.

Factors that tend to push the price up include naming young employees on the policy and including anyone with motoring or non-motoring convictions. Part-time cover is available and can often be cheaper than cover for a full-time valeter. You can usually choose between monthly and annual payments, but paying annually is the cheaper option because no interest charge is incurred. The most accurate way to find out what you would pay is to submit the form and receive a no-obligation quote.

How can I reduce the cost of my valeting insurance?

The most effective step is to compare quotes before every renewal rather than letting the policy auto-renew, because loyalty is rarely rewarded in insurance.

• Do not auto-renew: come back before your renewal date and compare prices again.
• Protect your no-claims bonus: it is sometimes cheaper to avoid claiming for a minor loss so your bonus stays intact.
• Think about who you name: young employees and those with convictions will most likely increase costs.
• Do not over-insure: only include covers you need, and ask the insurer if you are unsure.

Can I get car valeting insurance if I am under 25?

Yes, although it can be trickier to find motor trade cover if you are under 25. Fewer insurers are willing to take on younger traders, which makes approaching them one by one slow and frustrating.

Submitting one form puts your details in front of a panel of insurance specialists. Any insurer that can work with you gets in touch to provide a quote, so you do not have to arrange quotes with providers individually.

How do I compare car valeting insurance quotes?

Complete one short form with details about you and your valeting business. Specialist motor trade insurers on a panel then contact you to discuss your cover options and tailor a policy to your needs.

Quote Goat provides access to this comparison service free of charge. There are no live prices to compare online for this type of cover because valeting policies are built around your specific set-up. If you decide to proceed, you purchase the cover direct from the insurer.