Key facts from this guide
- Most valeters take at least £2 million of cover, with £5 million common for contracts with dealerships or fleet operators.
- Where staff are employed, employers’ liability insurance at £10 million is usually mandatory.
Valeting businesses face a mix of risks that standard car insurance policies don’t address. Because you’re working directly on customer vehicles and often operating on their premises, you need specialist protection. To get a valeters insurance quote, click the button below.
Public Liability
The core cover is public liability insurance, which responds if a customer or member of the public is injured, or their property is damaged, because of your work. For example, a customer could slip on water at your site, or a cleaning product might spill onto clothing. Most valeters take at least £2 million of cover, with £5 million common for contracts with dealerships or fleet operators.
Another vital element is a treatment risk extension, which covers damage caused by the products and processes you use. Without this, scratches, burns or discolouration caused by cleaning chemicals may be excluded from liability cover. Insurers will often check that you follow manufacturer instructions, patch-test products, and keep records to show procedures were followed.
Road Risk
If you ever move customer cars, even just a few metres on a driveway or into a bay, you will normally need road risk insurance. This ensures you’re legally insured while driving vehicles you don’t own in the course of business. Mobile operators may also add tools or equipment cover, especially if carrying machines and consumables in vans.
Employers Liability
Where staff are employed, employers’ liability insurance at £10 million is usually mandatory. Operators based from premises should also look at contents, stock, and business interruption insurance to protect their investment if the site becomes unusable.
The easiest way to bring these covers together is through a specialist car valeters insurance package that can be tailored to mobile or site-based businesses.
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a car valeter need?
The core cover is public liability, usually with a treatment risk extension. You will also normally need road risk insurance if you move customer cars, employers' liability if you have staff, and possibly tools, contents, stock or business interruption cover depending on how you operate.
How much public liability cover do car valeters need?
Most valeters take at least £2 million, and £5 million is common for contracts with dealerships or fleet operators.
What is a treatment risk extension for valeters?
It covers damage caused by the products and processes you use, such as scratches, burns or discolouration from cleaning chemicals, which may otherwise be excluded from liability cover. Insurers often check that you follow manufacturer instructions, patch-test products and keep records.
Do valeters need road risk insurance just to move a car a few metres?
Yes. If you ever move customer cars, even just along a driveway or into a bay, you will normally need road risk insurance so you are legally covered while driving vehicles you do not own in the course of business.
Is employers' liability compulsory for a valeting business?
Where staff are employed, employers' liability insurance at £10 million is usually mandatory.
Michael Foote, Insurance & Finance Expert
Michael Foote is the founder of Quote Goat and has over 20 years experience working in finance & insurance. Since launching Quote Goat he has appeared on TV as well as many of the largest online publications including Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro. Prior to Quote Goat, he worked in finance in the city.
