By Nolan Wilson
There are a number of questions that limousine rental companies will get asked when someone calls to book their car, but here are some of the more common ones:
How much will it cost to rent a limousine?
Limousine rental rates are determined by several factors, the most obvious being which company you choose to go with. Some other factors that will determine your rate include: the size of the car you are renting, the length of time you require the car for, and how far you will be travelling.
There are several ways that you can save money on your limousine rental, including a “split run” (wherein the car just picks you up and drops you off at a pre-determined time, and is not waiting for you. This way, the company can rent out the car to others between runs), or renting a car for a set hourly rate.
Why do rates vary so greatly from one company to another?
When you are looking to rent a limousine, you will likely get several quotes from several different companies, and you will likely find that most prices are in the same ballpark, however you may get one which is far lower than the others, and be inclined to save yourself some money by going with that company.
All professional limousine companies will have similar costs in terms of overhead: this includes everything from licensing and insurance to paying their drivers, and gas or car maintenance. The only way to offer a significant savings would be to cut into their expenses in one of these areas. Keep this in mind when you see limousine quotes that are significantly lower.
What kind of things might mean a price increase after the car has been booked?
Once you have decided on which limousine company you would like to work with, they will put together a contract, outlining the service conditions, including what kind of car, length or time, pick up times and date, etc. However, if you choose to change any of the following, you may have to pay an additional fee to what is in your contract:
• Additional pickup/drop-off locations
• Not being ready when the car arrives, and incurring waiting time for the driver
• Any damage done to the limousine
• Adding additional time to the reservation
Under what circumstances will my limousine reservation be cancelled?
Each limousine company will have their own set of guidelines for reasons why your reservation might be cancelled, so be sure to read your contract thoroughly. However, some of the most common reasons include:
• Any illegal activity, such as harming the driver or others passengers, underage drinking, or the use of illegal drugs in the limousine.
• Smoking in the limousine (unless otherwise stated)
• Harming the driver, or acting abusively towards them
• Non-payment
• Damage to the vehicle
• Not being able to locate clients within the time frame of the rental.
How can I find a reputable limousine company?
One of the best things to do when you are looking to book a limousine company is spend some time doing your research. Look on their website, but also look at third party websites for reviews, such as Yelp! or Google+. Depending on what the event is, you may want to also consider meeting with a representative of the company in-person. If you are getting married, for example, you could likely meet with someone at a bridal expo, or even set up an in-person meeting. Don’t be afraid to call around, and look at several companies to make sure you find the right one for you!
While this is a roundup of some of the most commonly asked questions, it is by no means exhaustive. If you are curious about something that is not covered here, feel free to call a local limo rental company to discuss.
