60-second summary
Here’s your at-a-glance guide to valet parking and your car insurance:
Most policies will allow for your car to be in the care of a mechanic for a short time for service or repair. But this cover often doesn’t apply to valet parking.
If something goes missing or gets damaged while the valet or steward is driving, this may not be covered on your policy. Check T&Cs carefully.
Even if valet parking is covered, check for exclusions. For example, some valet parking companies may leave keys inside the car, which could invalidate a claim.
Take steps to minimise risk when using valet parking. Make sure your car will be parked securely, check what the valet company’s covers, and don’t leave valuables or personal information in the car.
What is valet parking?
Valet parking is a service some businesses provide where, on arrival, you hand over your car keys to a valet or steward. The steward then parks your car in a designated place.
Also sometimes called ‘meet and greet’ parking, valet parking was once associated with high-end hotels and restaurants, and large conferences and events. However, you will commonly find the service at airports and some larger shopping centres now too.
Valet parking could save you time and stress, but it’s important to understand the implications for your car insurance. For example, what happens if the valet backs your car into a pillar or something goes missing from the boot? What do you do if your car is stolen? Can you claim on your car insurance?
Does my car insurance cover valet parking?
You may find that your car insurance doesn’t cover valet parking – it won’t be covered by a third party policy and may not even be covered by a comprehensive car policy. When you take out a car insurance policy, you need to provide the main driver’s name, together with the names of any additional drivers. Any unnamed drivers (like valets or stewards) are typically not covered, though some might be covered for third party only.
Most car insurance policies will allow for the car to be kept and handled by a mechanic for a short time for service or repair. But this type of short-term handover cover often doesn’t apply to valet parking services.
So the first thing to do is to check your policy. The terms and conditions should clearly state whether you’re covered for valet parking. Your policy should also list any exclusions. If your insurance doesn’t cover valet parking and your car is damaged or stolen while you’re using the service, you won’t be able to claim. If anything is unclear, check with your insurance provider.
Even if your car insurance covers valet parking, make sure you check the small print. For example, some valet parking companies might leave your keys inside the car. Doing this may invalidate your claim if the car is then stolen.
When using valet parking, make certain that your car will be parked securely and ask what the valet company’s insurance does or doesn’t cover too.
What happens if my car is stolen from valet parking?
Report the theft immediately: Contact the police as soon as you realise your car is missing. Provide them with all necessary details, including the location and time of the incident. Make sure you get a crime reference number as you’ll need this for an insurance claim.
Work with the valet service: They should have insurance that covers such events, and they should help with the investigation.
Gather evidence: Collect any evidence that might support your claim, such as CCTV footage from the valet service or witness statements.
Contact your insurance provider: They’ll guide you through the claims process and tell you what you need to do.
Follow up: Keep in touch with the police, your insurance company and the valet service to stay updated on the progress of your case.
Find more information on what to do if your car is stolen.
Is there such a thing as car valet insurance?
Yes, but not for individuals. This type of cover – known as motor trade insurance – is used by car valet services, car dealers and breakdown recovery companies.
Any reputable valet service should have its own car valeting insurance. But you may want to check the terms and conditions to see if there are any exclusions.
How to valet park safely
There are steps you can take to valet park safely, including:
Check your car insurance policy to see if you’re covered for using valet parking services.
If you plan to use any hotel or restaurant valet parking, check the arrangements and terms and conditions carefully.
Be cautious about using valet services offered on the spot that you haven’t researched, eg pop-up services offering cheap prices at airports. If you do decide to go ahead, check the arrangements and T&Cs as soon as you can.
Take note of the valet driver or steward’s name and check their uniform for ID.
Check if there are additional security measures, such as CCTV, in place.
Don’t leave valuables or personal belongings in the car. This includes personal information that could be valuable. It’s unlikely you’ll be covered for the loss of anything left in the car.
Request a receipt or ticket when handing your car over to make sure your car is tracked properly.
Check the mileage of the car, to ensure that the car is not driven anywhere while in the care of the valet parking service.
Check your car over as soon as you pick it up – and report any damage immediately to the parking valet or steward.
Read our guide to making a claim.
How to choose a valet service
When deciding whether to use a valet parking service, consider the following questions:
Do they have good reviews online?
Do they require all members of staff to have a full, clean UK driving licence?
Do they have car valet insurance?
Do they provide any cover if your vehicle is stolen from the valet car park?
Do they provide any cover for damage to the vehicle?
Are they a member of the Park Mark Safer Parking scheme?
Will your car be parked on public or private property?
What security is in place to protect your car from theft?
Looking for a car insurance quote?
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FAQs
Should I tip when valet parking?
There’s no obligation to do so here in the UK, but it’s good manners and they’ll definitely appreciate the gesture; £1-£5 is usual.
In the US, where valet parking is much more common, it’s standard practice to tip the valet driver when they return your car.
Is valet parking safe?
Valet drivers park dozens of cars every day so are familiar with different makes and models. But problems with rogue valet car parking companies have been reported.
Before you book, check that your car will be insured and parked in a secure location. Make sure the valet car park has British Parking Association’s Park Mark – this means it’s been checked for security.
What’s the difference between car valeting and valet parking?
Confusingly. when it comes to your car, valet can mean two different things.
Valet parking is a service offered by high-end hotels and restaurants, where a steward or valet parks your car for you. That means rather than worrying about finding a parking spot, you can head straight in, feeling like a celebrity. ‘Meet and greet’ services at airports are basically valet parking too.
On the other hand, car valeting can also refer to a professional deep clean of your car’s exterior and interior.
Julie is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and rewarding people for saving on their insurance through our loyalty and rewards programme. She’s spoken to the media, including outlets like Sky News, about car and home insurance, as well as our Meerkat rewards scheme.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by AI. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
