How to Vet a Valet Parking Company in 5 Minutes (A Restaurant Owner’s Guide)

Choosing a valet parking company shouldn’t be a guessing game. Yet many restaurants make the decision based on price alone—often without realizing the legal, financial, and reputational risks that come with hiring the wrong provider.

If you’re a restaurant owner, general manager, or operator, this guide will show you how to vet a valet parking company in five minutes or less—and avoid costly mistakes that can expose your business to liability.

Why Vetting a Valet Company Matters

Valet parking is not just a convenience. It is an extension of your restaurant’s operations and guest experience. When a valet company damages a guest’s vehicle, mishandles keys, or causes an accident, the restaurant may still be pulled into the claim.

Insurance carriers, attorneys, and courts increasingly look at whether the restaurant exercised reasonable judgment when selecting the valet provider. If you didn’t vet the company—or ignored obvious red flags—you may share responsibility.

The good news? Most bad valet companies can be identified quickly if you know what to look for.

Step 1: Ask for Proof of Insurance (and Actually Review It)

The first—and most important—step is insurance verification.

A legitimate valet company should be able to provide:

  • Garage keepers liability insurance

  • Commercial auto insurance (if applicable)

  • Workers’ compensation insurance

Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) that lists your restaurant as a certificate holder. Then check:

  • Coverage limits (extremely low limits are a red flag)

  • Policy expiration dates

  • Carrier names (unknown or non-admitted carriers deserve scrutiny)

If a valet company hesitates, makes excuses, or says “we’ve never needed that before,” stop the conversation.

Step 2: Compare the Rate to Reality

One of the fastest ways to spot a risky valet operation is pricing that makes no sense.

A compliant valet service must cover:

  • Wages and payroll taxes

  • Workers’ compensation premiums

  • Commercial insurance premiums

  • Supervision and management

  • Equipment, uniforms, and incident handling

If the quoted rate barely covers minimum wage—or is significantly below other bids—it likely means corners are being cut. That could be:

  • Uninsured workers

  • Cash payroll

  • No workers’ compensation

  • No real garage keepers coverage

If the rate feels too good to be true, it probably is.

Step 3: Ask Who Supervises the Operation

Professional valet service requires oversight. Ask:

  • Is there an on-site supervisor?

  • Who handles incidents or guest complaints?

  • What happens if an attendant damages a vehicle?

Fly-by-night valet companies often rely on unsupervised attendants with little training. That increases the likelihood of accidents, disputes, and guest dissatisfaction—problems that ultimately land back on the restaurant.

Step 4: Understand Their Incident Process

Every valet company should have a clear process for handling damage claims.

Ask:

  • How are incidents documented?

  • Who speaks to the guest?

  • How quickly are claims reported to insurance?

  • Does the restaurant get copied on incident reports?

A professional valet operator should be able to explain this calmly and clearly. Vague answers like “we’ll figure it out” or “that never happens” are warning signs.

Step 5: Look at Experience and Reputation

Finally, look at the company’s track record.

  • How long have they been operating?

  • Do they work with similar restaurants or venues?

  • Can they provide references?

  • Do they have a professional website and business presence?

A company that has invested in systems, staff, and long-term relationships is far less likely to put your restaurant at risk.

Common Red Flags Restaurants Miss

Here are some warning signs that should immediately give you pause:

  • Rates far below market norms

  • No written agreement or vague contracts

  • No workers’ compensation coverage

  • Insurance certificates that don’t match services provided

  • No clear supervisor or escalation contact

  • “We’ve never had a claim” as the only reassurance

These red flags often show up before a problem occurs—and ignoring them can be costly.

How MB&L Parking Helps Restaurants Avoid Risk

At MB&L Parking, we work with restaurants that want valet service done the right way. Our operations are built around compliance, professionalism, and risk reduction—not shortcuts.

Restaurants that partner with MB&L Parking receive:

  • Fully insured valet services

  • Trained, supervised attendants

  • Transparent, defensible pricing

  • Clear incident documentation procedures

  • A valet experience aligned with your brand

We believe valet parking should enhance your business—not expose it to unnecessary liability.

Final Thought: Five Minutes Can Save You Thousands

Vetting a valet parking company doesn’t take hours. In many cases, it takes just a few focused questions to determine whether a provider is legitimate—or a liability waiting to happen.

Restaurants that take the time to choose a compliant valet partner protect their guests, their reputation, and their bottom line.

Call to Action

If you’re currently using valet parking—or evaluating a new provider—MB&L Parking can help.

Request a professional valet quote and ensure your operation is properly insured, compliant, and defensible.

📞 201-414-1255
📧 info@mblparking.com
🌐 mblparking.com

Logan Moskovitz