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Things You Should Know Before Renting a Limousine

Sucheta Pradhan
Do you have a special occasion coming up, for which you are trying to find a good limousine service? If so, there are several things that you need to know. Read to know more.
If you are a high school student, wishing to rent a limo for your prom, remember that a reputed company will ask for a parental consent form for the same.

Limousines are stretched, classy cars that people love to hire for special occasions.
More often than not, limos are looked upon as status symbols, and it is absolutely overwhelming to see these stunning vehicles, making their way to party venues. If you are planning to hire a limousine service for your special occasion, this story will tell you all you should know before buying one.

What to Look for When Renting a Limo

Hiring a limousine means that you are about to spend a hefty amount of money. Owing to this, it is very important that you know certain things so that you choose a service that is best suited for your needs. Ask anything and everything to the limo company that comes to your mind, no matter how silly it sounds.
It is vital that you are absolutely sure about the service you are about to hire. Remember that a reputed company will happily answer all your queries. Here are a few points that you need to consider:

Location of the Company

This is one of the most important factors to look into. Most limo companies will charge you for the travel time that is taken to and from their location. So, if you come across a company that is either charging you less or not at all, there is no reason to be too happy about it.
Such a stance might just be their desperation for work, and nothing else. Moreover, there might also be a huge possibility that the company that charges you less in the beginning may add extra, unexpected charges to your final bill. So, inquire properly, and ensure that the company is local, in order to save money on travel time charges.

Amount Charged

It is but obvious that the total amount charged for the service is of primary concern. Every company will give you their own rates and quotations, which may have big differences. Do not get tricked into renting a service that is offering you the least price.
It is important to keep in mind that while the price is important, there are other parameters to be considered as well. Check their safety records properly, as safety compromises are not negotiable. Also, many times, it is observed that operators charge less to attract customers, but eventually offer substandard services. Beware of such companies.

Experience

Inquiring about the experience is important, especially if you have various companies to choose from. It is extremely rare that you will come across two limo companies, serving at similar kinds of occasions, offering similar services and prices. So, it is you who needs to decide what your exact needs are.
Find out the details about the kind of services a given company is experienced in imparting, and choose accordingly. A company that is engaged in 'airport pickup and drop service' may not be able to satisfy your needs, if you are hiring it for a wedding. So, check the experience.

Insurance

Be absolutely sure that the company, whose services you are about to hire, is insured. Do not hesitate to ask for a documented proof regarding the same, as it ultimately concerns your own safety. If the company is reluctant to show and/or refuses to show you any such proof, then understand that it may most likely not be insured at all.
In such cases, it is best to reject the company. Keep in mind that only a reputed company will give you all the information that you ask for in this respect, simply because they are confident about themselves and have nothing to hide.

Valid License

Much like insurance, checking whether the company possesses a valid license is also very important. Verify if the company is licensed under the respective state law. If it is good and reputed, the company will happily provide you with a proof of this as well. If they don't, it would be better that you do not go ahead with the deal.

Guarantee for Services Offered

Ask if the company guarantees the kind of services offered by them at the time of inquiry. In many cases, you will get a negative reply for this. Such a response is an indication that the company will not take the responsibility, in case something goes wrong. It is better not to go for such a service.
However, if a company agrees to give you a guarantee, even for a few of its services, be satisfied that you have come to good, honest people. They will be confident about the quality of their services, and will not hesitate to take any kind of responsibility.

Some Important Tips

Apart from some of the most obvious questions that you will ask before you rent a limousine for your special day(s), it also needs to be noted that there might be certain things, which the limo company might purposefully hide from you. Here are some basic tips that will help you unfold the "secrets."
◼ Since you will be paying a lot of money, getting a written agreement would decrease the possibility of risks. See to it that the agreement includes things, such as the model of the limo, its year and make, charges (including all the surcharges and taxes), and the guarantee offered by the company.
◼ Read the cancellation policy of the company very carefully. In case of a problem, it should not be very difficult for you to cancel the deal. If possible, get this in writing as well.
◼ Inquire properly about the passenger capacity of the limousine you are renting. It is a good idea to go out and check the car yourself, in order to get a proper idea of what you are talking about. There are different types of limousines, each having a different passenger capacity, so get this sorted out right at the beginning.
◼ Do not hesitate to ask the company for testimonials and references. This will help you make your decision more clearly.

◼ Ask if there is any fixed amount to be given as tip to the driver. If so, keep some extra cash in hand.

◼ Always book well in advance, at least 48 hours ahead.
To conclude, there are plenty of options available if you are concerned only about the amount of money you are going to spend. However, if you are looking for quality and class, a few extra dollars shouldn't matter. Do not compromise on safety, come what may. So, what are you waiting for? Go and hire a classy limousine for your special day!