Car valeting insurance for every vehicle finish
Car valeting insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
Insure your valeting business with zero hassle
In car valeting, your work involves detailed cleaning and potentially working with chemicals and equipment, exposing you to unique insurance risks.
In partnership with some of the leading UK insurers, we’ll not only get you a better car valeting insurance deal with the best cover available, we will work hard to keep you as a customer year after year.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock when you need us most.
Fairer prices for all
We compare the market to find the right deal for you as a valeting business.
World-class support
You’ll get your own UK-based human to look after you for the duration of your policy.
We use a combination of technology and a wealth of experience to give you unrivalled cover and more affordable motor trade insurance prices.
With over 50 years of experience providing top-quality insurance for the motor trade, you can be sure we’ve got you covered.
What is car valeting insurance?
Valeting insurance is a Motor trade policy that offers protection for your tools, liabilities, and customer vehicles, ensuring you can operate safely and professionally.
Motor trade insurance is not just a legal requirement for many businesses but also a crucial risk management tool. Without proper insurance, a business could face significant financial losses from accidents, theft, or damages. Here are some key reasons why cover insurance is vital:
- Legal compliance: Covers you for moving vehicles, using chemicals, and managing liability, keeping your business legally compliant.
- Financial protection: Protects against theft, accidental damage, and liability claims, ensuring your income is secure.
- Peace of mind: Gives you confidence to focus on providing great service, knowing you’re fully covered.
Types of cover
Road risk insurance
Road risk insurance is a fundamental component of motor trade cover, including valeters. It allows traders to legally drive vehicles on public roads for purposes such as test drives, deliveries, or customer collections. There are three levels of road risk cover:
- Third-party only (TPO): Covers damage to other people’s property or injury to others. It’s the minimum legal requirement.
- Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT): Includes TPO cover and adds protection against fire damage and theft of vehicles.
- Comprehensive: Offers the highest level of protection, covering third-party risks, fire, theft, and damage to the trader’s vehicles.
Combined insurance
Combined motor trade insurance provides broader cover, encompassing road risks and additional protections such as:
- Business interruption: Income protection during operational downtime.
- Premises insurance: Protects business premises against risks like fire, theft, and damage.
- Material damage: Protection for vehicles during valeting.
- Employer’s liability: Mandatory for businesses with employees, covering workplace injuries or illnesses.
- Public liability: Covers injury or property damage caused by your work.
- Tools and equipment: Cover for cleaning equipment and chemicals.
- Extra drivers: Cover for employees who may be driving customers’ cars.
How much does car valeting insurance cost?
Typically, valeting insurance premiums can vary, influenced by the cover level and specific details of your business.
Key factors affecting how much motor trade insurance costs:
Type of cover
Is the level of cover selected third-party only (TPO), third-party, fire and theft (TPFT) or comprehensive.
Nature of business
Premiums depend on the vehicle types you valet, with high-performance luxury cars costing more to insure.
Location and security
Mobile valeters face different risks than those with fixed premises. Secure storage reduces risks and costs.
Vehicles covered
Higher premiums may apply for working on rare or high-value vehicles compared to standard models.
Driver details
If drivers are involved in customer vehicle collection, their experience and driving records will impact premiums.
Policy customisation
Adding cover for cleaning tools, chemicals, or customer vehicles in your care ensures tailored protection.
Valeting insurance frequently asked questions
What is motor trade valeting insurance and do I need it?
Motor trade valeting insurance is a specialist policy for anyone who works with vehicles for profit — whether you're buying and selling cars, repairing, valeting, recovering, or testing vehicles. If you carry out any motor trade activity, even part-time, you're legally required to have at least third-party road risks cover. Standard personal car insurance won't cover you for business use.
What's the difference between road risks and combined motor trade insurance?
Road risks insurance covers you to drive vehicles on public roads as part of your motor trade activities — whether they're your own vehicles or customers'. Combined motor trade insurance goes further, adding protection for your premises, tools, equipment, stock, public liability, and employers' liability. If you work from premises or have employees, a combined policy is usually the better choice.
Can I get valeting insurance if I only trade part-time?
Yes — we arrange valeting insurance for part-time traders as well as full-time businesses. You'll still need to demonstrate that you're running a genuine motor trade operation, even if it's on a small scale. Visit our part-time motor trade insurance page for more details.
How do I prove I'm a legitimate motor trader?
Insurers require evidence that you run a genuine motor trade business. This can include invoices or receipts from vehicles bought or sold, online or print advertisements, tax records, or business bank account details. The more evidence you have, the smoother the process. Our team can guide you through what's needed when you get in touch.
Are customers' vehicles covered while I'm valeting them?
Yes — a motor trade valeting policy includes cover for customers' vehicles in your care, custody, and control. This means if a vehicle is accidentally damaged while you're cleaning or detailing it — such as a scratch during polishing or an interior damaged by a cleaning product — you're protected against the claim.
Who actually underwrites my policy?
We're a broker, which means we arrange cover on your behalf with a handpicked panel of trusted insurers. You'll see exactly who's underwriting your policy before you commit to buying.
Why can I trust insurd?
We've been arranging insurance for over 50 years — now trading as insurd — and we're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Register Number: 308508), and over a thousand real customers have shared their experiences with us on Trustpilot.
You can verify our status directly on the FCA register.
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