As a consumer or business you want to make sure you hire a ground transportation service that will grant you peace of mind on the day of your service. It’s frustrating to learn that your provider is unreliable and unprofessional only until after you’ve hired them. This quickly becomes a waste of your time and money, and can be an embarrassment if you have a reputation to maintain. As such, AM Limo Services, Inc. has developed this guide to show consumers how to evaluate and identify a professional ground transportation provider. Likewise, companies seeking affiliate partnerships can use this guide to evaluate a potential partnership. If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact us.
Livery Insurance
All transportation operators should be able and willing to provide you with proof of valid and current insurance coverage for their vehicle fleet. When hiring a chauffeur service, you should request a copy of their certificate of insurance, and if you or your company plan on contracting them for a while it is advised to have their insurance provider include you as a “named insured”. With this, the insurance provider can notify you if there are any outstanding issues with the company’s policy.
Driver & Vehicle Operating Licenses
Regulations vary from state to state, some regulate both vehicle and chauffeur licensing, others states do not. This is important to check if you are unfamiliar with your states licensing regulations. If stopped by the police and the driver is not in compliance with the states regulations, the vehicle will be impounded. Certain airports have their regulations too, chauffeurs there should be in compliance with airport regulations.
Chauffeur Training
A professional chauffeur is a crucial component of a successful transportation service, so hire a company that places a lot of value on their chauffeur’s professionalism. Professional chauffeurs are required to attend official training seminars where they are taught all aspects of delivering a professional and successful transportation service.
Vehicle Inspections
If you have never hired a provider before, try to set the time aside to inspect the vehicle in person before hiring. While visiting, you should inspect the interior and exterior of the vehicle for cleanliness and that all in-cabin amenities are properly working. There may be cases where the provider will be unable to let you inspect the vehicle as it might be in operation. In this case, visit the provider’s website (if any) and look for vehicle images or directly ask the provider to e-mail you photos of the vehicle(s) you are interested in.
Client Testimonials
Search the web for any reviews past clients have made about the company you have in mind. The provider should be eager to share reviews or letters of reference from clients the company has successfully serviced in the past.
Special Occasions & Events
If you have specific service requests for your event, book your reservation in advance as providers often need time to make accommodations for special requests. More importantly, the provider should give you a copy of the contract that clearly states the details of your reservation. You will want to keep a copy of the contract until the service is completed just in case any of your service request are not satisfied.
Corporate Or Group Transportation
Corporate transportation providers should be reliable, punctual, and respectful of the passenger’s time and needs. For a provider to deliver a successful transportation experience, their chauffeur should exhibit said qualities.
In short, do not let yourself be sold on flashy cars and cheap prices. After all, what good is a hiring a luxury vehicle at a cheap price when the chauffeur’s delivery is mediocre or downright unprofessional.
Joshua Diaz
Marketing Director