Limousine Rental TipsStarGazer Limousine would like to provide you with this week's important limousine rental tip: Make Valentine's Day memorable! The holidays are over, but another important (and romantic) holiday is just around the corner! Valentine's Day is coming up quickly and February will be here before you know it. Are you planning to surprise your significant other with a proposal? Celebrating an anniversary? Just want to enjoy a memorable evening with your spouse? If so, then call StarGazer! We will make your evening extra special. Since Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away, we encourage all those planning a special event for Cupid's holiday to book transportation NOW. From a simple night out in one of our minivans to avoid drinking and driving, to a more lavish evening in our luxury super stretch limousine, it's up to you how to add that something "extra special" to your plans. We are happy to accommodate groups, or just the happy couple. Let us handle the details. Just sit back and relax and ... ride with us! What you need to know before renting Ask to see the company's vehicles. Check out the vehicle you plan on renting. Some companies utilize older fleets. You don't want to be surprised if a 1988 limousine shows up, when you were expecting a 2005 model. Many older cars are clean and well maintained. Just be sure you know what you are getting. Get A Signed Contract. A reliable and professional service will be more than happy to provide you with a signed contract for service. Companies who cannot supply a contract may not be confident in their ability to fulfill an agreement. Don't be the person who gets the "We don't have your reservation" story. Cover yourself by getting a signed contract and shop smart. Shopping on price alone is dangerous. Some unethical operators do not hesitate to drop a reservation to pick-up a better paying fare. Ask About Insurance and Permits. All limousines are required to carry commercial insurance and must be properly licensed. Unfortunately, the phone book or Internet search engines do not require the same information in order to advertise. To protect yourself from "gypsy companies", ask for proof of these requirements with your signed contract. Once you receive the information, call the company to find out if the vehicle is actually insured and that it is commercial insurance.
Vehicle Rental Policies In general, the BIGGER and the NEWER the limousine, the more expensive it will be to rent. Here are three standard types of limousines operating today at their relative cost per hour to rent: Wedding rates are usually quoted as a package price. For instance, "Our 3 hour wedding package is $315.00 and includes our ten-passenger limousine". Ask your limousine company what is included in the package price. All or some of the following items may be included in the price: Once again, when booking a limousine, always make sure you know what kind of car you are getting. Simply being told a "10-passenger limousine" is not enough. Many smaller companies utilize older fleets. There currently are three Lincoln body styles of limousines on the market make sure you know which you are getting. Most companies require a minimum 3- to 4-hour booking when making reservations. If you are looking for a limousine for only one hour or for pick-up and drop-off service, you will have to do some searching. Many companies simply will not do these types of bookings because of cost considerations. If you do find a company that will do your event for one hour, more than likely the limousine will be an older model vehicle or will not guarantee the arrival time(s) of the car. There is nothing wrong with older model limousines; however, we suggest you view any vehicle before you rent, especially one that is over five years old. Deposits Required Most companies require a deposit to hold your reservation with the balance due three (3) days prior to the rental date or on the day of service. If you cancel your reservation, your deposit can be forfeited. Such things can be outlined in the contract. Ask your selected company their policy IN WRITING. Air-Conditioning Systems Be aware that many older model limousines have air-conditioning systems which are NOT equipped to handle hot days. If your event is in the middle of summer, inquire about your limousine's air conditioning system. Older models may only have one AC compressor and on extremely hot days, getting a cool limousine may not be possible. Request limousines that have two AC compressors which will eliminate this problem. Insurance IS important! Always ask a limousine company if they can provide you with a certificate of insurance. If they are resistant, this raises a red flag. Any limousine company should have commercial insurance for "passengers for Hire" According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, all carriers of passengers or property for-hire rental companies, owners of buses that carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), human service vehicles, driver education vehicles and dealer demonstration vehicles are required to file proof of insurance before operating in Wisconsin. Proof of insurance is a prerequisite for any "for hire" carrier to obtain vehicle registration, vehicle registration trip permits, and Wisconsin operating authority (USDOT number). The Wisconsin’s insurance minimums are a combined single limit of: Insurance is required to promote public safety and insure fiscal responsibility of high liability operations.
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