How to rent a limousine

Special Event Limousine Hire

If you have a special event coming up, hiring a limousine car service is a great way to make a great evening even more festive. Renting a limousine is a serious business and not one to be taken lightly. Car services are expensive so you want to make sure that you are choosing a reliable company. How do you go about doing that?

Ask friends, family and business associates whom they use and whether they are happy with the services that they receive. Word of mouth is a great way to narrow down the list of providers. Once you have your list, contact a watchdog service such as the Better Business Bureau to see if there are complaints against the company that you are considering. Bear in mind that nearly every business will have at least one unsatisfied customer, but what you are looking to see is whether or not the company has a history of poor customer service and delivery. If they address the complaints lodged against them they will usually get a satisfactory business rating and you can feel confident in them.

Make sure you get a signed contract from the car company that you decide to use. The contract covers you to ensure that the company will provide the service that you are purchasing and it covers the business to ensure that you pay the amount you are supposed to pay. If a business won't give you a contract, find another company. No business in the car rental industry should refuse to provide a contract and if they do you can be certain that they will not deliver on their agreement to give you the car that you request.

Before renting a limousine, visit the office to see the cars that are available. All vehicles sound great, but seeing them in person will tell you what you are really getting for your money. You can usually meet some of the drivers to so that you can see how they dress when driving the limousine. 

When you sign the contract, expect that you will have to leave a deposit. The deposit usually guarantees the contract. Your contract will state how much you have to pay on the night of your event, and what the additional 1/2 hourly charges will be should the time go over the scheduled contract amount. This is important because it clears up any misconceptions as to what is owed. You usually cannot rent a limousine unless you are at least 18 years old and have a major credit card. Be prepared to show identification when you are ready to sign the contract. 

Be sure to discuss with the limousine company the number of people that you need to provide for in the car. The number of people will determine which vehicle you will need to rent and the more people you have to fit will mean a larger vehicle which means it will cost more. If you have to put young children in the car, ask the car company whether they can provide car seats. If they don't provide them and the laws in your state require them for children under a certain age, the child will not be allowed in the vehicle. You do not want to find this out on the day of your special event. These are questions you need to have answered before you sign a contract.

Remember to tip your driver if the service was good. Drivers depend upon tips, so if your driver is professional and accommodating, be sure to reward him or her with a monetary tip.15% of the limousine bill is standard, but before you tip, make sure the tip wasn't already added into the cost of the rental. Check that contract because you don't want to overpay.