Do not use Valet services to drive your car. They are not insured nor are you in an accident.

[PNGMK]

@TheRef and I met an Aussie friend last night. He told us he had used a valet service to drive him home in his rental car awhile ago. The young male driver was speeding (confirmed at 130KPH via the rental car GPS) and he 'self skidded' on the PIE and the car was written off.

Our friend is now out 15k as the valet driver was not insured and has no money, the valet company fine print disavow any damages and the rental car was not insured for any other driver apart from our friend.

As he put it "I could have caught a lot of taxis for $15,000 and left my car in the car park over night". A very frustrating event given he genuinely thought he was doing the right thing.

[x9200]

@TheRef and I met an Aussie friend last night. He told us he had used a valet service to drive him home in his rental car awhile ago. The young male driver was speeding (confirmed at 130KPH via the rental car GPS) and he 'self skidded' on the PIE and the car was written off.

Our friend is now out 15k as the valet driver was not insured and has no money, the valet company fine print disavow any damages and the rental car was not insured for any other driver apart from our friend.

As he put it "I could have caught a lot of taxis for $15,000 and left my car in the car park over night". A very frustrating event given he genuinely thought he was doing the right thing.

Did your friend talk to a lawyer? It is not like you can put anything in the contract and always get away with it. If the driver was speeding this may lift the no responsibility for the damages clause.

[PNGMK]

@TheRef and I met an Aussie friend last night. He told us he had used a valet service to drive him home in his rental car awhile ago. The young male driver was speeding (confirmed at 130KPH via the rental car GPS) and he 'self skidded' on the PIE and the car was written off.

Our friend is now out 15k as the valet driver was not insured and has no money, the valet company fine print disavow any damages and the rental car was not insured for any other driver apart from our friend.

As he put it "I could have caught a lot of taxis for $15,000 and left my car in the car park over night". A very frustrating event given he genuinely thought he was doing the right thing.

Did your friend talk to a lawyer? It is not like you can put anything in the contract and always get away with it. If the driver was speeding this may lift the no responsibility for the damages clause.

The driver was charged by the police but my friend broke the rules by letting the young guy drive the rental car and that was how the rental insurer got him on the costs. Yes - he spoke to his solicitor. Bottom line is the company organizing the valet will take no responsibility (as they are just facilitating the arrangement) and you can't really sue a young guy with no money for money.

[emergency234]

Always pays to read the fine print for rental cars here.

Various forums are full of people asking for advice when rental car companies charge them ridiculous amounts for minimal bumps and scrapes .

[abbby]

I am surprised the valet company isn't covered by any insurance. They are in the business of operating people's cars.

[PNGMK]

I am surprised the valet company isn't covered by any insurance. They are in the business of operating people's cars.

They are fly by night outfits mostly.
They promise only to connect you to a driver. The driver is an independent contractor responsible for his or her own liabilities.