LIMOUSINE RENTAL TIPS
EVENT PLANNING HOME
LIMOUSINE RENTAL TIPS
WHEN TO START LOOKING
Many Limousine Rental Companies are booked a year in advance so it is wise to
book your limousine well in advance if you want to get a better limousine or specific
style of limousine. If you are planning to rent a limousine for your special event during
Prom season or high demand wedding season, don't wait. Book it as soon as you are
certain that you want or need a limousine.
WHERE TO START LOOKING
The local yellow pages, local newspapers and special event publications and
online sites are good resources. But remember, the largest ad or most impressive web
site doesn't always mean the best limousine or the best deal.
HOW TO START LOOKING
First, determine what your needs are, i.e. the type of limousine, desired color,
the number of passengers it needs to accommodate, etc.. Then make a list of limousine
company names and telephone numbers and call a number of limousine companies to determine
the available types and colors of limousines, the vintage of the limousines, associated
available features and services and the costs involved. Be sure to write down the
information you receive so it will be easier to compare costs and features after the
impact of the sales presentation wears off.
WHAT TO ASK
Each limousine rental company will probably offer different prices based on the year, make
and features of the limousine and the associated services offered. Some even offer bar or
champagne service (usually the cheap stuff at a high price) while others allow you to
provide your own beverages. (In some areas, alcoholic beverages are prohibited by law.)
Although price is a consideration, a better price does not always mean the best limousine
or the most reliable service so if possible it is wise to actually visit the limousine
rental company before you decide to rent to actually look at the limousine and and view
their operation. I really mean LOOK AT THE LIMOUSINE, you will be renting so there will be
no *unexpected surprises.
*Several years ago while on a business trip I rented a black stretch Lincoln Continental limousine over the phone to surprise some business associates at the airport and take them to the hotel where we were awaiting their arrival. They arrived (an hour late because the limousine driver was an hour late) in a 1987 or 1988 (beat up) copper colored Lincoln. It was a rather hot August and the air conditioner wasn't working either. Although we now laugh about the incident, it was not very humorous at the time...
SMART QUESTIONS
Following are a few examples of questions you may want to ask of the limousine rental
companies...
How long has the limousine company been in business? Unfortunately
there is a high turnover in new limousine rental companies who go out of business within
the first 12 to 18 months of business which means the company you contract today may not
be around 6 months from now. If they have been in business for a few years and have
newer cars, odds are good they will probably be in business in the future as well.
Do they have any recent references or letters of recommendation they can provide?
How many limousines do they have in their fleet? Vehicles do break down from time to time and you will want to make sure that they will have a similar replacement should a breakdown occur.
What types/colors of limousines are available for your specified date?
What year(s) are their limousines?
Do the vehicles have air conditioning/heat that can be controlled from the passenger area? This is a really handy thing to have and believe it or not some have air conditioning/heat originating in the driver's area only which does not circulate well to the passenger area. Older models also usually only have one air conditioning compressor which will not do much to cool things off on a hot/humid day.
Do they carry "commercial" liability and medical insurance for their passengers? If the limousine "company" has personal liability coverage on the vehicle, like you probably do for your own vehicle, rather than commercial liability coverage, there may be no insurance coverage for the passengers since the vehicle was being used for commercial rather than personal purposes. (You will want a copy of the "certificate of insurance" when you rent.)
What are the costs? Some have minimum hour requirements while some have a package price for pickup and drop off only. Some also have hourly plus mileage charges. You will have to determine which pricing option best suits your needs.
What is included in the cost? Some charge portal to portal which means that you pay for driving time to and from the limousine rental company to your designated location while other companies charge only from the time the limousine arrives at your location. Some limousine companies also offer extra services, i.e. champagne service, a red carpet rollout, etc. with or without additional cost.
How are the driver's dressed? Some limousine companies have a uniform standard while others do not. If the driver is going to be seen, the appearance of the driver is as important as the appearance of the vehicle.
Is gratuity included in the rental cost? Some include the gratuity in the rental cost, some allow you to set the amount of the gratuity and others automatically tack on gratuity charges ranging from 10% to 20% of the rental.
Are you able to have alcoholic beverages in the vehicle? This may or may not be an important factor to consider.
If you are renting the limousine for a wedding and want to display a "Just Married" sign, can it be attached to the vehicle? If so, is there a cleaning/polishing charge?
BOOKING THE LIMOUSINE
Assuming that you have narrowed the limousine rental company selection down to
the one you think you want to book you will want to reserve your limousine. If possible
you will want to visit the company to look at their vehicles and specifically at the
vehicle you will be renting. You will most likely be required to pay a deposit to reserve
the vehicle and you will want to have a "RENTAL CONTRACT" that guarantees that
you are going to get what you ordered. The contract should specifically outline the date
of service, the arrival time(s) and locations, the color, make, model and year (and
license number) of the vehicle, and the costs of the rental as well as cancellation and
deposit refund policies. You will also want a copy of their "Certificate of
Insurance" to make sure that you and your passengers are covered in case of an
accident. Payment by credit card can give you more leverage should something go wrong if
the fault of the limousine rental company.
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