Mobile Car Valeting

[CompactCleaning]

Ok I've been thinking about what happens if say me or an employee acidentally damage a car, I basically want a document drafting up that exempts me from being sued but states I will cover some or all of the damage made depending on the amount. Is this legal? Would such a document hold up in court?


Howard

 

[paddy84]

Ok I've been thinking about what happens if say me or an employee acidentally damage a car, I basically want a document drafting up that exempts me from being sued but states I will cover some or all of the damage made depending on the amount. Is this legal? Would such a document hold up in court?


Howard

If I were to use a car valet company, and they damaged my car, and it was their fault, Id like to think they were correctly insured, and would pay for ALL the damage they caused to be repaired!

 

[MH1]

As mentioned, the guys who own they quality cars will want to know you are correctly insured, and as importantly have correct security in place to ensure they get the car back. With some cars probably worth £100-500k, they will have enough to tie you up in court for years if needs be.

A hard game to break into, best of luck.

 

[matt5791]

Where you are dealing in the course of business and your customer is not you are precluded from excluding liability for property damage caused by negligence under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977. Where both parties are contracting in the course of business then the clause would be subject to a reasonableness test. (or at least this was the case when I did my law degree in the 90's)

Basically you need insurance.

The only thing that can happen, on a practical level, is that the customer sees the clause and thinks, wrongly, they are precluded from taking action.

However decent business sense would dictate that you should cover such a mishap and get it sorted if it happened - after all, there are a lot of people valeting cars and I think you would want to preserve your customer base.

 

[TheGuru2010]

Very good comments on this one: I am pretty sure you would get no customers if you told them about this clause you propose (You should tell them upfront really), but even if it was hidden away in some small print the customer is still going to be very unhappy when his car gets damaged & you claim you are not responsible.

All you will do is destroy your business, people do talk & once word gets round you wont last very long.

On the other hand I would much prefer this to be said about my business if i was you

"I had mr X round from X car valet, he did a smashing Job but sadly damaged my vehicle in some way, I can honestly say he dealt with everything in a profesional way & his insurance company looked after the repairs very well"

Remeber things can & usually do go wrong at some point & its all about how you look when those things do go wrong - Get it right and you cant go wrong. (There will always be some that think people should never make errors!)

 

[CompactCleaning]

Ok thanks for all the comments guys The only reason I was asking about this is because I spoke to a insurance broker the other day and got a quote for public liability and was informed this would not cover damage to the car. I then, as you would asked if I can have a quote for insurance to cover damage to the cars and he told me that insurance companies won't cover it but I guess seeing as you have suggested getting properly insured and after a quick google it turns out in acutal fact you can get insured so this thread was a waste of time.

Thanks anyway guys

Howard

 

[TheGuru2010]

Ok thanks for all the comments guys The only reason I was asking about this is because I spoke to a insurance broker the other day and got a quote for public liability and was informed this would not cover damage to the car. I then, as you would asked if I can have a quote for insurance to cover damage to the cars and he told me that insurance companies won't cover it but I guess seeing as you have suggested getting properly insured and after a quick google it turns out in acutal fact you can get insured so this thread was a waste of time.

Thanks anyway guys

Howard

No problem howard, the box standard liability wouldnt cover you with your line of work but there are policy's out there that suit your needs.

Best of luck

 

[TheGuru2010]

Ok thanks for all the comments guys The only reason I was asking about this is because I spoke to a insurance broker the other day and got a quote for public liability and was informed this would not cover damage to the car. I then, as you would asked if I can have a quote for insurance to cover damage to the cars and he told me that insurance companies won't cover it but I guess seeing as you have suggested getting properly insured and after a quick google it turns out in acutal fact you can get insured so this thread was a waste of time.

Thanks anyway guys

Howard

Dont be afraid of the thanks button

 

How about just having a vehicle inspection report that you fill out prior to cleaning that the customer signs. It may seem long winded but then you both have re-assurance.
This way they have agreed to what marks etc are already on the vehicle. Any other damage therefor would be down to you.

Just a thought

 

[CompactCleaning]

Yeh I plan on having some of these made up, think I mgiht make them myself

Howard

 

[applemaidcleaning]

I know this is an old post but you can get valeting insurance that covers this! just go easy with the leather! best to do a course if you havent already done so.. and use decent produts..

 

[CompactCleaning]

I am thinking of doing a course but will have to wait a few months because they cost around £600 and I definitely will be using decent products hence why I am looking for a wholesaler

Howard