Valet Service General Liability Insurance

When you decide to open a valet service business, it might be because you love cars. And this business lets you drive just about any kind that's out there. In your excitement of getting started, you probably focused on making your customers feel welcomed and trusting, and making sure the cars were treated well. But what you might have overlooked is what happens if something goes wrong—a guest slips, a fender gets dinged, or property is damaged. That’s why General Liability Insurance is a baseline protection. It covers those unexpected claims and, in most cases, it’s what venues and cities require before they’ll even let you set up.

What’s Covered Under Valet Service General Liability Insurance

General liability is designed to step in when something happens to others because of your business. For a valet service, that usually means:

Bodily injury to third parties – If a customer, vendor, or even a bystander gets hurt around your valet stand, they may expect you to pay for the medical and recovery bills.
Injuries tied to valet operations – Maybe somebody stumbles over a parking cone you have placed. They'll blame you for that accident and expect you to pay the bills.
Damage to surrounding property – From clipping a wall with a car to knocking over signage, nearby property damage is included.
Legal defense costs – If a claim turns into a lawsuit, your policy helps cover attorney fees, settlements, or judgments.

Think of it as the safety net for the most common problems a valet business can run into—things that could easily happen even if your staff is well-trained and careful.

Is Valet Service General Liability Insurance Required?

There’s no blanket state law that forces valet companies to carry general liability, but in practice, you’ll find it’s almost always required. Cities and counties often make it part of the licensing process, and most hotels, casinos, and event venues won’t let you operate without proof of coverage.

A standard contract usually calls for at least $1 million in liability protection, and they’ll want to be listed as an additional insured on your policy. Even if it weren’t required, it’s the kind of coverage that keeps one accident from shutting your business down.

What’s Not Covered Under General Liability

General liability is a foundation, but it doesn’t cover everything a valet business faces. A few important gaps to be aware of:

Accidents while driving customer cars – If a valet backs into another vehicle, that falls under commercial auto or hired/non-owned auto coverage, not general liability.
Theft, vandalism, or weather damage – A broken window, stolen car, or hail damage requires garage keepers or another policy add-on.
Employee injuries – If one of your valets gets hurt, that’s handled under workers’ compensation, not general liability.
Professional mistakes or disputes – Contract issues or business disagreements fall under professional liability coverage, not GL.

Knowing what isn’t covered is just as important as knowing what is. This way, you can build the right mix of policies and avoid surprises when something happens.

What Else Is Needed

General liability is your starting point, but a valet business usually needs a few more layers of protection:

Garage Keepers Legal Liability (GKL): Covers you if there is damage to a customer's vehicle when it's in your care, custody, or control.
Commercial Auto / Hired & Non-Owned Auto Coverage: Protects against accidents while your staff is actually driving customer cars.
Workers’ Compensation: Required in most states if you have employees, covering medical costs and lost wages from on-the-job injuries.
Umbrella or Excess Liability: Adds higher protection limits if a claim goes beyond your standard policy.
Property & Equipment Insurance: Covers things like valet stands, kiosks, or ticketing equipment.
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP): Combines liability and property coverage into one package, often at a better rate.

Think of general liability as the foundation, and these other policies as the walls and roof that keep your entire operation secure.

How Much Is It?

The good news is that general liability insurance for valet services is affordable. And it usually grows with you. This means you might only spend $35 or $40 a month in the beginning. As your business grows, your premiums will increase accordingly.

USA Insurance — Your Trusted Choice for Valet Liability in the USA

At USA Insurance in Burbank, CA, we’ve been helping valet companies and other service businesses for nearly 20 years. Our agents are licensed in all 50 states and understand the unique risks that come with parking and hospitality work.

Our goal is to get you covered with what you actually need, not something that's the same across lots of businesses. That way we can add you to the list of the other 99% of our customer who are super happy with our services. We also want to make sure your policies fit within your budget, and that you're protected properly through whatever life brings.

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