9 questions to ask when you book meet and greet parking

Our homes probably represent our biggest capital investment and we are careful to protect them with insurance and security procedures, however, have you stopped to think about your car? Yes, you have insurance, maybe an alarm, possibly even a tracking device, but what about when you go on holiday? Do you stop to think who is looking after your car and where it will be parked?

If you are parking onsite at the airport, you know where your car is parked and you know where it will be when you come back. There are visible signs of security cameras and other procedures in place to prevent car theft. But…what about off-site parking facilities? Where is your car going to be parked, who will be driving it and what security measures are in place to protect it while you are away?

Your car is a valuable asset. You need to know that you are handing your car over to a reliable company, so don’t be afraid to ask the following questions when booking meet and greet parking:

1. How will I recognise my driver?
   Anyone collecting your car from you should be uniformed and carry identification.
   
   
2. Where is my car going to be parked?
   Your parking company may not disclose the exact location of their car park for security reasons. However, you should be given a general location of their car park and facilities, and how many miles from the airport they are by road. Choose a company that can assure you that your car will be parked in a designated, hard-standing car park. One that is completely hard-standing, not grass. You don’t want to drive straight from the airport to the nearest car wash, do you?
   
   
3. What security measures are in place to protect my car?
   Ask about the on-site security measures, which should include CCTV, High fencing, alarms, possibly dog patrols and security of car keys – they should never be left in the vehicles. Keys should be locked in a safe with adequate security.
   
   
4. Where will you meet me and will you be waiting for me?
   Your parking company should give you an accurate pick-up point at the terminal, and should be there, waiting to meet you. You have paid for meet and greet parking so you should not have to repeatedly call them to be met or for the return of your car. A maximum of 15 minutes during busy times from when you call seems reasonable.
   
   Some reputable meet and greet parking companies offer a money-back guarantee that you won’t be kept waiting.
   
   
5. What happens when I get back?
   On your return, a driver should have your car waiting for you when you leave the terminal. It’s commonplace for passengers to phone the meet and greet company from baggage reclaim, but only to ensure accurate timing of the arrival of your car. You shouldn’t have to phone again when you have left the terminal and then wait for a driver to bring your car to you, it should be waiting.
   
   Check that the company will have your car waiting for you when you leave the airport.
   
   
6. Are your premises licensed?
   You get what you pay for, and sometime, cheap is cheap for a reason. Some companies have been known to use ‘unofficial’ car parks – ones that don’t have local planning consent – sometimes cars have been known to be parked in fields. If your car is parked in an unlicensed car park, it is less likely to have adequate security arrangement, such as high fencing, lighting, and security alarms as this will draw attention to the area and could alert local planning authorities.
   
   
7. Do you hold a Park Mark® Safer Parking award?
   Always look for the Park Mark® award. The Park Mark® Safer Parking Scheme is an initiative of the Associations of Chief Police Officers aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities. Strict guidelines and standards must be met to achieve accreditation and parking facilities are vetted by the police to make sure security measures are in place to meet the Park Mark® Safer Parking facility standard.
   
   
8. Who is going to drive my car?
   Pick a company that uses mature, experienced drivers. Does the company you plan to use vet their drivers for criminal records?
   
   
9. What measures are in place to ensure that my car isn’t given to someone else on my return?
   You should be provided with a receipt for your car and should not be given back your car without this receipt or some form of photo ID such as your passport.

Remember, when booking your meet and greet parking don’t be afraid to call the company to ask questions.

Further information:

For further information on Park Mark® Safer Parking and to check for companies holding the award click here: www.parkmark.co.uk

Gatwick Airport meet and greet parking company, Help Me Park holds the Park Mark® Safer Parking award - for more information click the link.