If you run a car valeting business, whether mobile, unit-based, or part-time, you’re likely already aware that Public Liability Insurance is essential. It protects you if a member of the public is injured or if you accidentally cause property damage while working. But what many valeters don’t realise until it’s too late is that most public liability policies don’t cover the one thing you’d expect them to: damage to the very vehicle you’re working on.
At Ashburnham Insurance, we think that’s a serious gap in protection, and we’ve made it our business to offer cover that addresses it.
The Problem Most Valeters Don’t Know About
Let’s say you’re cleaning a customer’s car, a regular job, no special circumstances. Maybe you’re washing the paintwork with a pressure washer, using a buffer inside a garage, or cleaning the interior with industrial-grade products. Now imagine you accidentally scratch the paint, damage an alloy, or cause an electrical issue by using the wrong cleaning fluid. It’s not a far-fetched scenario, and these things happen more often than most would admit.
The assumption many valeters make is: “My public liability policy will cover that.” But in most cases, it won’t. Why? Because standard Public Liability Insurance excludes damage to items that are “being worked on.” And in the eyes of most insurers, valeting a vehicle counts as “working on it.” That means if a claim arises due to an accident while cleaning the car, the insurer may refuse to pay out.
This is one of the most common misunderstandings in the trade, and one that only comes to light when a customer makes a claim and you’re suddenly left facing the bill yourself.
Why That Exclusion Exists
From the insurer’s point of view, covering items actively being worked on increases the likelihood of claims, especially in manual or detail-oriented trades like valeting. If every small scratch, spill, or chemical mishap resulted in a payout, their risk exposure would rise dramatically.
As a result, most brokers simply exclude this risk altogether. They cover you for damage to things nearby, for example, if your pressure washer damages a neighbour’s fence, but not the very car you’re paid to clean. That’s perfectly legal, and in some cases it’s fair. But for valeters, it creates a gap that leaves you exposed. And too many aren’t made aware of it at the point of sale.
Cover That Understands Car Valeting Risks
At Ashburnham Insurance, we work with insurers who understand car valeting as a specialist trade and offer policies that do cover damage to vehicles being cleaned. We believe that if you’re being paid to clean cars, your insurance should reflect the actual risks of that work.
That includes:
- Damage caused by cleaning equipment, such as buffers or steam cleaners
- Interior damage from upholstery products or dashboard sprays
- Issues arising from incorrect cleaning techniques
- Accidental breakages of wing mirrors, lights, trim, or other vehicle features
In short, we aim to provide cover that makes sense for the trade, not a generic policy designed for someone else.
Who Needs This Type of Cover?
If you’re valeting vehicles as a self-employed individual, part of a mobile team, or even running a small unit or forecourt operation, this type of enhanced Public Liability Insurance for Car Valeters is essential. Even if you’ve never had a claim, accidents can and do happen, and with some vehicles costing tens of thousands of pounds, the financial consequences of an uncovered claim can be devastating.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re cleaning a compact hatchback or detailing a prestige vehicle. If the customer’s car is in your care and you’re responsible for damage, you need the right cover in place.
Why Trust Ashburnham Insurance?
We’ve been providing liability insurance for niche trades for decades, and we understand the practical realities of what valeters face every day. We actively work with underwriters who accept and understand the risks, and we explain the policy in terms that you can actually understand.
If a customer’s vehicle is damaged and you’re responsible, you don’t want a call-centre brush-off. You want an insurer who knew what your business involved from the start, and a broker who made sure you were covered properly.
If you’re unsure whether your current policy includes this, or you’re setting up a new business and want to get it right from day one, speak to us on FREEPHONE 0800 1696137.