When you own a limo company you have a commitment and responsibility to make sure your vehicles are running smoothly. As a client based company, customer satisfaction is paramount to your success and since you transport many customers in your limousines, performing proper maintenance checks is necessary for safety. No limo service ever wants to go through the hassle of filing a claim on their livery insurance, right?

Limos are just like any other vehicle in that they require regular checkups under the hood. If you are trying to make sure your drivers are keeping customers and themselves safe, make sure they know what to check for when going over their limo’s maintenance issues. Here are some common things to look out for:

• Engine: It may be time to take your limo in for repairs if you or one of your drivers sense any issues occurring with the engine. Common engine issues you can expect to notice are difficulty starting the engine, rough idling, poor acceleration or when you see the “check engine” light on the dashboard.
• Steering problems: If you find yourself having difficulty controlling the steering wheel and keeping the vehicle straight, this may be attributed to worn steering components such as the idler arm or ball joints. Sometimes, the inability to affectively steer the vehicle may also be caused by deflated tires.
• Suspension: Shock absorbers that are too worn may cause a hindrance in your vehicles suspension which will subsequently affect your limo’s handling. The purpose of shock absorbers is to maintain contact between the wheels and the road, and when shocks get old or worn out, the risk of getting into an accident increases.
• Brakes: Brakes are perhaps the most fundamental aspect of vehicle safety. The status of your limo’s brakes should be routinely checked any time you take your car in for inspection or a tune up. If you’re ever driving one of your limos and you feel awkward tension when applying pressure to the brakes or hear scraping or grinding, it may be time to get them checked out.
• Lights: It is unacceptable to drive a commercial vehicle that has any light out, whether it’s a headlight or tail light. If you operate a limo when a light is out, you are more than likely to be pulled over. Your vehicle’s lights can be changed on your own or a professional can take care of it for you, no problem.

Properly dealing with the physical maintenance of your company’s limos is necessary in order to avoid any costly accidents and limo insurance claims down the road. If you have any more questions at all, feel free to consult with Wolpert Insurance & Risk Management and we’ll get you the answers you need.