Check your car hire company’s contract before you pay the deposit.
What should you check in a wedding car hire company contract?
Before you pay a wedding car deposit, check the contract names the car you saw, lists each journey and how long the car is booked for, says what waiting time and overtime cost, includes the driver and any decorations, explains what happens if the car breaks down, and sets out what cancelling costs.
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What to find in the contract
5 things to look for, what each one means, and what to ask the car hire company before you sign.
- 1
Is it the car you saw?
If you've chosen a particular car, check the contract names it, not just "a vintage car". Look for what happens if that car isn't available on the day, and whether a replacement needs your agreement.
What to ask before you sign
- Does the contract name the car we chose?
- If it's unavailable, what would you send instead?
- 2
Which journeys are included, and for how long?
The contract should list each journey, such as home to ceremony and ceremony to reception, and the hours booked. Check whether the car waits during the ceremony or photos, and what extra time costs if the day runs late.
What to ask before you sign
- Which journeys are included?
- How long is the car booked for?
- What does extra waiting time cost?
- 3
What's included with the car?
Check whether the driver, ribbons, flowers and any drinks are included, and whether the car is suitable for your dress and the number of passengers.
What to ask before you sign
- Are ribbons and decorations included?
- How many passengers can travel?
- 4
What if the car breaks down?
Older cars especially can be unreliable. Check what the contract promises if the car breaks down or can't run because of weather, such as a back-up car or a refund.
What to ask before you sign
- What happens if the car breaks down on the day?
- Will you run in bad weather?
- 5
What does it cost to cancel?
Check what you'd owe at each stage if you cancel, and when the balance is due.
What to ask before you sign
- What would we owe if we cancelled at each stage?
- When is the balance due?
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every car hire company’s contract is different, and none of the above replaces reading yours. If a contract matters to you, take proper legal advice on it.
Questions
- What should you check in a wedding car hire company contract?
- Before you pay a wedding car deposit, check the contract names the car you saw, lists each journey and how long the car is booked for, says what waiting time and overtime cost, includes the driver and any decorations, explains what happens if the car breaks down, and sets out what cancelling costs.
- What should a wedding car contract include?
- The specific car, each journey and the hours booked, waiting and overtime charges, what's included such as ribbons, what happens if the car breaks down, and the cancellation terms.
- What happens if a wedding car breaks down?
- It depends on the contract. Look for a promise of a back-up car or a refund, especially with a vintage or classic car.
- Is PlanHitch's contract review legal advice?
- No. The review reads a document and reports what it appears to say. It is not a legal review, it is not carried out by a solicitor, and it may not spot every fee, penalty or cancellation term. Use it to know what to ask, and if a contract matters to you, take proper legal advice on it.
- How much does the contract review cost?
- Every wedding gets one contract review free, on every plan, with no card needed. Premium, at £15 a month or £149 once, includes unlimited reviews.
Other contracts to check
Read your car hire company's contract before you pay
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