Limousines can be hired for almost every reason – from airport transfers, corporate events, and business meetings to weddings, bachelor parties, concerts, and sightseeing, just to name a few. The fact is that you’re renting a limo from a reputable car service in San Francisco, CA means you’re looking for top-notch service, comfort, and security. And in order to get all these, you’ll need to make sure you choose a reputable private limousine service in San Francisco, CA like Pacific Town Car luxury limo service in San Francisco CA.
Sometimes finding the best service can be an uphill task, especially in a large city like San Francisco, for example, and when there’re lots of providers to choose from. But getting the right information about some key factors could help you understand which San Francisco limo in San Francisco, CA would cater to your specific needs in the best possible way.
At Pacific Town Car, we know how things can get overwhelming due to an abundance of limo services and what the consequences are when you don’t get the service you deserve. Therefore, being a reputable private limousine service in San Francisco, CA with more than thirty years of industry experience, we decided to dedicate this post to those who want to maximize their limo experience while getting the most out of it.
Key things to look for when hiring a limo services
Though there was a time when limousines were mainly used by the celebrities and rich people, today they’re used to cater to all kinds of clients and rental needs. With the growing need, many companies, from established ones to start-ups, have started providing limousine services. Unfortunately, all of them aren’t made equal and it doesn’t take much time for a poor service to break or business or ruin your day. Let’s have a look at the following factors that you should get clarified to reap the benefits of choosing a limousine.
- Credibility: If you’ve a list of providers to narrow down, this is a useful step to limit your choices. For instance, if you’re looking for a limo in San Francisco, start crossing off the names of providers of private limousine service in San Francisco, CA that don’t have any proven credential. Once you’ve shortlisted some companies, visit their websites and see what their former clients have said about their services. A top-tier limo company that offers outstanding services will likely have some loyal clients who willingly want to promote the company. Similarly a company providing subpar service will likely have disappointed clients that have shared their experiences as well. You can also take a look at the company’s reviews on popular review websites. Your family members or friends are also good sources of referrals, as well as, information about the limo service provider you’ve shortlisted.
- Years in business: While experience is important in any type of business, when it comes to hiring a private limousine service in San Francisco, CA, for example, it becomes paramount. Unquestionably, a service provider that has been operating for a prolonged time in this field (for example, Pacific Town Car that comes with 30+ years of industry experience), would be a better choice than beginners. Therefore, when you contact a car service in San Francisco, CA to hire a limousine, not only ask about the company or its background, but about its team members as well.
- The fleet: This is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a car service in San Francisco, CA, or in any city for that matter, which provides limo service. The fleet size and the types of vehicle significantly vary from one company to another. From stretch limousines and SUVs to shuttle buses and motor coaches – different types of vehicles are used in this industry. Additionally, there’re many companies that offer services based on their fleet. For instance, some companies may offer quirky rides for special occasions while some others can have small yet well-curated fleets that contain some classic models. Ideally, you should consider the total number of travelers to ensure that you pick the right vehicle that would make all of them comfortable. However, a reputable provider like Pacific Town Car luxury limo service in San Francisco CA should have a large fleet containing different models to cater to the varied needs of its clients.
- Cost: While you shouldn’t consider cost as the only factor to focus on when you’re looking to hire a private limousine service in San Francisco, CA, for example, it’d surely help you make a better decision. Key things based on which this cost is decided include the type of the vehicle, the size, rental duration, etc. While many limo companies have a minimum duration of three hours, there’re companies that’ll need you to book for a longer minimum duration. So, before calling a top-tier limo rental service like Pacific Town Car luxury limo service in San Francisco CA, make sure you’ve a complete schedule of your requirements. Some providers add additional costs like fuel charges, admin costs, driver fees, among others. Therefore, it’d be wise to know the total cost before finalizing a limo company. Since there’s a huge competition in this industry and there’re lots of service providers that offer the same service, you may find considerable variations in costs. It’s always suggested not to choose a limo company only for its cheaper costs without evaluating other factors discussed in this post. If you do, it may not guarantee you top-notch service or a comfortable riding experience. Remember that you may have a beautiful vehicle but a rude chauffeur will never give you great riding experience. Ideally, you should go with the most reasonable cost which matches the service you want to receive.
- License and insurance: It’s important to make sure that the private limousine service in San Francisco, CA, or in any other city, you’re going to hire has all up-to-date licenses necessary for conducting business. There’re some authorizing certificates that every limo service provider is required to keep up-to-date. You should take a look at those licenses and certificates before finalizing anything. You’d also need to make sure that the company is properly insured as that would become handy to a great extent in the case of an accident during the trip. If a company doesn’t have commercial insurance, you might be serious trouble. It’s important to keep in mind that the company insurance should not only cover all the travelers but the chauffeur and the vehicle as well. However, any top-notch limo company should be able to able to provide you with these papers. Additionally, a reputable company like Pacific Town Car luxury limo service in San Francisco CA should belong to well-acclaimed associations like the NLA (National Limousine Association) which you can check as well.
- The chauffeur: When you’re planning to hire a limo from a car service in San Francisco, CA, for example, it’s important to check the chauffeur alongside all the other aspects discussed here. First of all, depending on the state, your chauffeur may need to meet minimum driving experience and age requirements. Secondly, a chauffeur is highly responsible for ensuring the travelers’ safety and that responsibility starts with a clean driving record. You can always ask the limo company to learn about its policies regarding its drivers’ records. If it isn’t in a position to provide you with the same or if you find the records aren’t spotless, you should find another company. While a perfect driving record, a professional uniform, and the right license are a good start, a good chauffeur will be fully-trained as well. Ask the company if it’s mandatory for their drivers to complete a defensive driving course. Despite the advantages offered by GPS devices, nothing can replace the importance of a great sense of direction. It means your chauffeur must have firsthand knowledge of the locality where you’ll be riding. After all, you’re paying a considerable amount for the service, so you can only expect to enjoy the ride or do your work, not shout directions all the way. And most importantly, a great chauffeur should be a bonded employee of the company, which indicates he or she is a permanent, professional, and valued member of the team. Remember that there’s no place for contractors or amateurs.
- The vehicle: Imagine this – you’ve booked a limo for a special event like wedding, birthday celebration, bachelor party, etc and at the time of starting your journey, an outdated, old limo arrive at your doorstep to pick you up. Would you be able to accept it when you were expecting a top-class vehicle to reach the occasion in style? Certainly no. Therefore, even if the cost seems to be reasonable, the company has got some excellent customer reviews, you should always consider checking the vehicle out in person to ensure it’s the vehicle you want and it does reflect the picture on the brochure or website that made you interested to book it. Also, verify that the limousine has passed all inspection required from the company’s end. Don’t hesitate to ask the company about setting up an appointment when you can check the vehicle out in person.
- Written contract: Make sure that the private limousine service in San Francisco, CA, or any other city, you’re going to hire will be providing you with a written contract of all your requirements. Clearly stay away from verbal contracts as they may lead to disputes. We’d always suggest you to get a detailed description of all the terms and conditions together with the total cost to avoid any future problems or misunderstanding. Also, special occasions like weddings, proms, birthdays, etc often need personalized attention to specific requirements. Be sure to let the company know your specific requirements and that are being incorporated into the contract. It’s also important to learn about the company’s cancellation policy, which is usually mentioned in the contract. You never know if there’ll be something urgent for which you’ll need to cancel the service but when you know the policy, you’ll be able to avoid disputes and misunderstanding. Once you’ve the contract, make sure that you understand the terms and conditions clearly.
- Value-added services: These services differ from one limo company to another ranging from additional driver services to the amenities coming with the vehicle. Therefore, if you need any value-added service like tour guides, meet and greet service, etc, write them down first before calling the limo provider. These types of services often become important when you’re treating business clients, VIP guests, or hosting a special event. So, it’s important to check with the company whether it offers them.
- Hours of operation: This is another important thing that needs to be considered when you’re hiring a limo from a car service in San Francisco, CA, for example, regardless of the reason for which you’re booking it. Any reputable company like Pacific Town Car luxury limo service in San Francisco CA offers round the clock operation so you won’t have any issue if you book such a company. But if you don’t want to go with the leading names in the industry and hire a new provider instead, it’s strongly advisable to check this out. No matter if you need a pick up after a late-night party or need to reach the airport in odd hours, your limo service has to be on time always.
Summing Up
Put simply, when you’re hiring a private limousine service in San Francisco, CA, you’re making sure that you’ll be able to travel safely and comfortably and to arrive ready and refreshed for whatever lies ahead. Therefore, the entire experience has to be smooth sailing from the time you get picked up till you arrive at your destination. Simply consider the above factors to be able to find an exceptional company like Pacific Town Car luxury limo service in San Francisco CA that will go the extra mile to ensure your ride remains a hassle-free and memorable one.