Renting a limousine or a party bus for a special occasion can be very exciting. However, you should always feel confident in the company you select when making a good choice for your reservations.

Obviously, limousine companies cater to different crowds for different events. Some are more upscale. Some provide airport transportation services. If you’ve never renting a limousine or party bus, here are some of the top questions you can ask before making the right decision:

Ask about the company’s experience and how many years they have been in business. The older the company, the more experience they have. Experience usually means the firm is more reliable.

Inquire about the license they have in order to operate a limousine firm. This is big. Transportation companies are required to have Federal authority in order to operate their vehicles. State and local licenses may also be required.

What kind of insurance do they carry? What happens if an accident occurs? Do they carry commercial insurance? Ask the company to provide you with a certificate of coverage.

Is the limousine company affiliated with a reputable organization such as the National Limousine Association or other national organizations? Any local memberships?

While some limousine companies will post good reviews on their website, check out their reputation on review websites such as Yelp, Google, CitySearch and others.

If you have the time, ask if you can see the vehicle in person that you are considering to rent. If you don’t have time, ask the limousine company to e-mail you more details about the limo (or party bus) along with photos. Is the car clean? Any interior damage?

Is the limousine company currently offering any coupons or discounts that you can use? Do they honor AAA memberships?

Ask the limousine firm if they rent by the event or by the hour. Inquire as to overtime charges. Ask about their starting time policy. Some charge when the driver leaves the garage, while others charge based on the pick-up time.

Inquire about a gratuity (tip) policy for the chauffer. Some firms have a mandatory gratuity tip policy for their drivers, so make sure you don’t accidently double tip.

Speaking of chauffeurs, you need to know more about the company’s drivers, including background checks; experience; licensing; training, etc.

Before you hire a firm, ask if you will be given a contract with all the details. Make sure the information is correct including the date; times; pick-up and drop-off information.

Upon request, American Eagle Limousine will provide you with a copy of our insurance; business license and proof of our registration with WMATC, DOT and MCC. We have been serving customers and clients since 1987 and all our employees and drivers participate in a rigorous training program – all designed to guarantee a positive experience for you.

For more information on our company; limousines and party buses, and reservations, call us at (703) 550-7200.