What is Car Jockeys’ Motor Trade Insurance?
Car jockeys’ motor trade insurance—sometimes called traders insurance, motor traders insurance or valet parking insurance—is specialist cover for anyone who drives, moves, or parks vehicles that belong to other people as part of their job. Whether you’re running a professional valet service, managing hotel parking, or moving cars at events, this policy steps in where standard car insurance stops.
As soon as a customer hands over their keys, their own insurance no longer covers you. That’s why you’ll need dedicated motor trade insurance – to protect your business, your team, and your customers’ vehicles every time you move a car.
The right policy can be tailored to suit everything from small valet teams to multi-site car jockey services, making sure you’re covered for day-to-day risks, legal requirements, and peace of mind in even the busiest car parks.
What the experts say…
“If your job involves moving or parking customer vehicles—even for a minute—standard car insurance simply won’t protect you. Motor trade insurance for car jockeys and valets is essential for peace of mind, legal compliance, and protecting your reputation in case of an accident or claim. Make sure every driver is named on your policy, keep security tight, and always check that your cover matches the types of vehicles and work you handle.”
– Ian Beevis, Founder of Clean Green Compare
What Does Motor Traders Insurance for Car Jockeys Cover?
Every business is different, but most car jockeys’ policies can include:
- Road risks insurance: Lets you legally drive and move customer vehicles on public roads and within private property.
- Public liability: Covers injury or property damage caused to customers or the public—vital for busy venues or events.
- Employers’ liability: Required by law if you have any staff—even part-timers or temporary workers.
- Premises and asset cover: Protects office equipment, radios, signage, or customer vehicles stored overnight.
- Money and keys cover: Insures you for loss or theft of customers’ keys and any cash handled as part of your business.
- Goods in transit: If you transport cars between sites (for example, moving vehicles between hotel and offsite parking).
- Legal expenses: Help with legal costs if there’s a claim or dispute.
- Personal accident and sickness: Provides financial protection if you or staff are injured at work.
Cover can be tailored to suit whether you run a single hotel valet service or manage a large team at multiple venues.
Optional Extras for Car Jockey Motor Trade Insurance
Every business is unique—so you can pick and mix the extras you need:
Lets your staff drive a customer’s car to show them how parking or features work. Especially useful for airport meet & greet, hotels, or events where customers might be unfamiliar with the process.
Protection if customers’ keys are lost, damaged, or stolen while in your care. This can help pay for locksmiths, new keys, or replacement fobs, and provides peace of mind when handling multiple sets of keys.
Helps get you or your customer’s vehicle moving again if it won’t start, breaks down, or gets stranded while parked or being moved by your team. Includes roadside assistance and sometimes onward travel.
Covers legal fees and costs if you need to defend your business against a claim, dispute, or legal action from a customer or third party. Useful for resolving disagreements or defending your business reputation.
Financial protection if you or a member of your team is injured in the course of your work—helping with lost income, medical bills, or rehabilitation costs while you recover.
What’s Not Covered?
Every motor traders insurance policy comes with some important exclusions, so it’s worth double-checking the details before you buy. While car jockeys’ traders insurance protects you against most of the day-to-day risks you’ll face when moving or parking customer vehicles, there are certain situations and types of claims that won’t be included as standard.
Here are some of the main things you’ll usually find aren’t covered:
- Personal use of vehicles: – Not covered unless specifically added to your policy.
- Vehicles not in your care, custody and control: – Only cars you’re responsible for as part of your business are insured.
- Unlisted drivers: – Only named employees are covered to drive customer vehicles.
- Motorsport, time trials, or racing: – Any competitive driving or timed events are excluded.
- Intentional or criminal damage: – No cover for deliberate acts or illegal activities.
- Unattended or unsecured vehicles: – Claims may be refused if a car is left unlocked or with keys inside.
- High-value or performance vehicles: – Vehicles over set value or performance limits may be excluded—always check your policy documents.
Make sure to check all exclusions and policy documents before you buy.
Who Needs Car Jockeys’ Motor Trade Insurance?
Car jockeys’ traders insurance isn’t just for large valet companies or luxury hotels—it’s a must-have for anyone whose work involves driving, moving, or parking customer vehicles. If you or your staff get behind the wheel of cars you don’t own as part of your job, you’ll need specialist cover to stay protected and legal.
- Valet parking services: – For hotels, restaurants, events, or airports where staff park vehicles on behalf of guests or customers.
- Professional car jockeys: – Individuals or teams working at private or public car parks, responsible for safely moving and parking cars.
- Collection, delivery, or shuttle parking businesses: – Companies that move customer vehicles between locations, such as to and from car parks or storage sites.
- Event parking teams and meet & greet drivers: – Staff who organise and park cars at large events, festivals, or airport meet & greet services.
- Companies and contractors handling customer vehicles: – Any business involved in moving, storing, or securing customer vehicles as part of their services.
In short, if your business puts you in charge of vehicles that aren’t your own—even for a few minutes—you’ll need motor trade insurance tailored to car jockeys or valet work.
Get Car Jockey Insurance Quotes Today
How to Get a Car Jockeys’ Motor Trade Insurance Quote
Getting a quote for car jockeys’ traders insurance is quick and straightforward. Here’s what to expect:
How Much Does Car Jockeys’ Motor Trade Insurance Cost?
The price of motor trade insurance for car jockeys and valet parking teams depends on a few key factors. Insurers will look at the size of your business, where you work, the types of vehicles you handle, and how often you’re behind the wheel. Here’s what usually affects the cost:
- Number of drivers: More named drivers usually means a higher premium, especially if you employ younger or less experienced staff.
- Business location: City centre hotels or airports can cost more to insure than smaller, private venues, due to higher footfall and traffic.
- Types and value of vehicles: Handling high-end, luxury, or performance cars can push up your costs compared to standard vehicles.
- Claims and driving history: A clean record can help keep your insurance costs down.
- Level of cover: Third party only is usually the cheapest, but you might want the extra peace of mind that comes with comprehensive cover.
- Extras and security: Adding key cover, legal expenses, or extra liability protection may increase your premium, but good security measures (like secure key storage and CCTV) could help lower it.
The best way to find a great deal is to compare car jockeys’ traders insurance quotes, only pay for the cover you need, and review your policy every year.
Ways to Save Money on Car Jockeys’ Motor Trade Insurance
Looking to cut the cost of your traders insurance? Here are some practical steps car jockeys and valet parking teams can take to keep premiums down:
Taking just a few of these steps could help you cut costs—without leaving your car jockey business short on protection.
FAQs – Car Jockeys’ Motor Trade Insurance
Do I really need traders insurance for valet or car jockey work?
Yes. As soon as you or your team move, park, or drive a customer’s vehicle—even just a few metres—standard car insurance no longer applies. Specialist traders insurance is a must for legal and financial protection.
Can I cover part-time or temporary staff?
You can, as long as every driver who handles customer vehicles is named on your policy. Always keep your insurers updated with current staff lists.
What’s the difference between car jockeys’ motor trade insurance and standard car insurance?
Standard car insurance only covers vehicles you own and drive for personal use. Car jockeys’ traders insurance is designed to protect you when you’re driving, moving, or parking vehicles that belong to customers as part of your work.
Is public liability included?
Public liability can usually be added to your motor trade policy and is highly recommended if you work in busy venues or public spaces.
How can I get the best value on my car jockeys’ traders insurance?
Compare quotes, limit your cover to the staff and vehicles you need, keep a good claims history, and review your policy at every renewal.
