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Car Rental in Italy: Insurance Needed/Suggested

Car Rental in Italy: Insurance Needed/Suggested

Old Jun 24th, 2016, 06:05 AM
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Car Rental in Italy: Insurance Needed/Suggested

Can someone comment on the car insurance that is needed and/or suggested for peace of mind for a car rental in Italy? Our rental includes CDW and Theft, is this sufficient? Or---do I need anything else, ex: liability? Our USA insurance company does not cover any part of the rental (common) and our credit card has a minimal amount of assistance and for only 15 days. We are renting a car for several weeks.
We want to be properly protected and at the same time: we want to be prepared for any helpful information provided by the rental desk that may be unnecessary! We have no idea what to expect on cost over and above the CDW/Theft that we already have in our quote.
Thank you for your help on this topic.
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 06:41 AM
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I think you obviously need third party liability insurance. I don't know where you plan to rent a car, but usually that is included in the rate quote. I know it is with Hertz in Italy, you can't not have it. If you rent through Autoeurope, it is included also.

If you plan to rent from a place that doesn't say it is included, I would ask them about it, maybe they just assume it so don't say so. If it isn't and they don't offer it, I think you should rent elsewhere. PAI maybe be an extra option to pay, but that's for you, not others in other cars.
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 06:49 AM
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Liability is already included in the rental rate -- its mandatory.

Are you sure your cc covers you? Most don't in the 'three I's' (Italy, Ireland, Israel -- an a few other countries)

If you don't have travel insurance that covers the car, you most likely will want to buy the 'top cover' offered by the rental agency. This covers the excess/deductible.
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 06:53 AM
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>>> do I need anything else, ex: liability?

I presume you have no read the rental Terms and Conditions small prints. All European rentals include liability. It would say something like this, "YOUR RENTAL INCLUDES: Liability Insurance for injuries or damages to persons or things outside the vehicle"

If you are renting a car for several weeks, it seems a short term car lease might be more appropriate. Unless you have bought a super CDW, your deductible would be probably over €1000 with rental.
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 07:15 AM
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I have used this in the past and particularly recommend the annual coverage.

https://www.worldwideinsure.com/car-...dZdRoCZhrw_wcB
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 10:09 AM
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>>>Our USA insurance company does not cover any part of the rental (common) and our credit card has a minimal amount of assistance and for only 15 days. We are renting a car for several weeks.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 08:45 AM
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Hi kybourbon:

We are renting. Milan Linate Airport. Picking up at Enterprise.

Per our contract, the following are part of our "inclusive" rental. Figures are in euros:

Protection Deductible 1 Rental @ 2000.00
Protection Deductible 1 Rental @ 2000.00
Cdw-allocated Inclusive Included
Theft Protection With Deductible Included

Somewhere I had seen listed that "Third Party" was included, but I do not see it on the email I was sent. I read that Third Party = Liability.

Hope this helps with your reply. As stated, we want to be covered for damage to the rental and should an accident occur--our fault or other's. We are unsure. We asked the USA rental representative if this inclusive rental was enough or if we needed anything additional; she did not know.... Thank you.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 08:56 AM
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Dear everyone else before kybourbon...your messages were not there when I saw kybourbon. I did not mean to not acknowledge your responses.

I called our CC and was clearly told our BOA card only covers for 15 days and is quite limited in scope. I would need to turn in the vehicle before day 15 and re-rent! IF the vehicle was rented for more than 15 days, they would not cover any of it, even if a problem occurred on day 10.

Our USA-based insurance as I mentioned, does not cover car rentals out of the USA.

I did read and listed above the features of the contract: While I had seen "Third Party Protection" on the site, I do note see it listed on the contract.

I rented with National and they have us picking up at Enterprise, their sister company.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 09:29 AM
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Liability insurance is ALWAYS included. It is a legal requirement

Just one explanation -- from the Gemut website (my emphasis):

>>All European rental companies <blue>are required by law to protect themselves and their rental customers with millions of euros in third-party liability insurance</blue>. In other words, <blue>the rental company covers you for damage to property and persons outside your vehicle</blue>. What you are responsible for is damage to, or theft of, the car you rented. For that you need Collision (CDW) and theft insurance.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 10:25 AM
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Thank you, janisj!

With the CDW and Theft coverages listed as included on my statement and the Liability a law (even though I do not see it listed and the car rental representative read it to me when she reviewed the rental contents)....it seems we are fine with the coverage we have from National.

The only option is if I am offered Super CDW coverage at the rental desk so that we would have no deductible -- is how I am now understanding this rental.

Per Greg above, he mentioned that without Super CDW, the deductible is most likely: €1000. I wrote customer service for National for more info; hope to hear soon and will report back for others who are concerned.

Any idea of the cost for the Super CDW coverage in Milan airport?

Thanks to all!
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 12:53 PM
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Enterprise is represented in Italy by Locauto. I recently hired a car at Bergamo Airport for a week. For a Group C car (compact), they took 1,200 euro reserve on my credit card as excess/deductible against both damage and theft. The full amount was released a day or two after returning the car. When I turned in the car, after inspecting the car, I had to sign on their tablet I agree with their findings - no damage and no deduction.
You find the list of charges at http://www.locautorent.com/images/PD...%2030mar16.pdf
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Old Jun 27th, 2016, 10:50 AM
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Thanks, Alec.

So you only took the included CDW/Theft provided and they took 1,200 euros in case there was excessive damage? Finding none, your released your 1,200 euros--relief!

Based on others who kindly responded...my only concern is for the deductible that the policy has in place and it could be 1-3,000 euros! Waiting to hear from rental company for an explanation...
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 06:21 AM
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Thanks to all who have responded!

Trying to Pay It Forward:
National (after speaking with several reps as few are fully knowledgeable) explained that their company's included coverage: CDW Inclusive and Theft with Deductible -- cover up to 2000 euros. I would have thought the deductible was 2000 euros from how it is listed on our contract; I was informed otherwise.

Further, I was surprised that if the car is stolen, we would be held responsible above the 2000 euros that is covered. Again, I would have thought it was a deductible of 2000 euros. Not per the representative!

When I asked about any additional insurance coverage I could purchase, ex: Super CDW coverage, initially I was informed they did not offer it/any at this location. I informed her I had been told (here on Fodors!) and read that there are other options so that we had no out-of-pocket charges for anything related to the rental.
She then "found" that there is a Zero Excess Pkg. So, insurance it seems, is available....at 25 euros per day at the rental counter. She said if we purchased it, we would have to pay zero for damages or theft.
I asked about Third Party Coverage which was mentioned to me when setting up the rental, but not listed on the statement: she said this is Liability. Then she explained that while not shown on my contract--it is included in the price... So much confusion when trying to understand coverage and then, some items are not even listed!

The final thing that I read in many posts about possible coverage by one's own car insurance and credit cards: you must call and get a CLEAR understanding of your particular policy and CC benefits. Our insurance absolutely does not cover car rentals outside the USA.
Our CCs only offer some coverage, BUT up to 15 days. So a rental over 15 days, negates the coverage. We were told by our CC company: we would have to turn in our car and write up a new contract after 14 days... If the local rental agency in the town where we are staying COULD re-rent this same car to us under a new contract reservation #, fine. If not, we would have to take what they carry. In our case, the local agency does not carry the car we need for our group. Again, a lot to digest.

I hope I was able to help someone else on some level. What I have discovered is that there are many layers to insurance, the various coverages, agency contract terms and the many interpretations by both the consumer and the reps from the rental agencies. Grazie and happy travels!
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 06:49 AM
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bsaically you should not rent through your local friendly amererican rental company in Italy. You should go through a broker who sorts all the c@@p out for you. I moved my old corporate over to "auto europe" years ago after yet another rip-off insurance deal.

Just imagine doing all this stuff in a foreign language and jet lagged.
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 07:41 AM
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"I hope I was able to help someone else on some level. What I have discovered is that there are many layers to insurance, the various coverages, agency contract terms and the many interpretations by both the consumer and the reps from the rental agencies."

Here's what you haven't discovered:

1. It's almost impossible to tell whether an agency in Europe is owned or operated by the parent company. No matter what their name, I don't believe any CEO based in the U.S. can help you with a European branch grievance. Many name-brand car rental agencies are franchised affiliates, which means, they can make up their own rules, policies, and contracts (usually written in a foreign language). The information most likely will not be transparent, unless you speak the language of the contract and read every word before you sign it.

2. No English-speaking, U.S. based customer service rep is likely to know the details that appear in a foreign contract. They will not be serving as your personal translator before you sign on the line. The information they provide to you is basically: skeptical until proven useless.

Unfortunately, the car rental insurance industry is otherwise known as a brilliant marketing game. Some might call it a money-gauging scheme. It preys on timid, scared, insecure drivers, and there is a ton of money to be made off these customers. If you are a decent offensive/defensive driver with years of experience and a good driving record, the chances of an accident are probably quite small.

If you're a first-time renter in Europe, you have to decide whether an extra $30 a day on top of Basic will justify your peace of mind.

I have more than one credit card that covers deductibles in Europe. I have one credit card that covers luxury vehicles in Europe. I have a business insurance policy that covers car rentals everywhere. It's important to know who offers what, and in order to do that, you need to research a lot, ask many questions, and spend a lot of time on the subject.

Many English-speaking travelers have discovered the services of AutoEurope. They are U.S. based and they are very powerful in Europe. They will fully explain their insurance policies, and they will fight for you if you have a legitimate claim. They will also price match on a comparable offer.

As far as I'm concerned, if you don't speak or read the language of the country where you rent a car, it makes no sense whatsoever to rent from anyone other than AutoEurope. The pros outweigh the cons.
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 08:00 AM
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arb152 : You are eating yourself up over this . . . Please PLEASE PLEASE don't rely on anything told to you by rental agency Customer Service reps!!!!! As you yourself found they give out all sorts of (good and bad) info.

First of all, if the rental location is a franchise it is not 100% bound by National's rule/policies.

Use a broker like Autoeurope -- It will give quotes with full coverage (no deductible) and w/ just normal CDW. That will take all the uncertainty out of the equation.

You have mentioned several times that you BofA cc covers you for 15 days. I wouldn't be 100% confident w/ that. It would be very unusual.
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 01:03 PM
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Bilbo, NYC and janis...

A very heart-felt thank you for your concern and advice; the time you spent to respond to me and the content shared mean so very much.

This has been an enlightening experience on insurance coverage in Italy! We have rented in Sicily and in Tuscany before for a few weeks without too much concern.
This time, we had more worries, maybe due to all the reporting on damage and theft to cars in Italy! Additionally, so many people post stories and cite their version of "facts" and... often sound believable.

Then after researching their statements...confusion and self-doubt set in! Janis, you're right: I let this really get to me! (and yes, our CC does have a 15-day coverage benefit--the hoops involved are not worth it for us)

And as far as the car rental rep info: I do not believe her version of the 2000euros. I think it is the deductible amount that we would be responsible for, not what they cover!! Again, as you stated, janis: good and bad info and in this case it was stated as "facts", like the posts some people write.

Our insurance concern was to be sure we got enough and the proper insurance and not be sold on what we do not need (aka: ripped off!!).

We wanted to be well protected for the potential "hit and run" which is common and/or of course, as NYC eluded often happens: intimidation when picking up the rental and/or improper accusations at the drop off in hopes of...ripping us off to thousands of euros and ruining our family trip.

To answer question on driving record: We have excellent 40+ years of exp. This trip, we will be on the road more to visit more cities, parking away from the villa more often, etc. so we figured: more chances for damages.

The zero deductible package/all inclusive is the way for us. This, as you all know, adds about 600 euros to the rental (yuk!), but as NYCfoodsnob stated: the pros outweigh the cons

My deepest gratitude to you for your advice! Grazie.
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 01:42 PM
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"a money-gauging scheme"

LOL. I meant to write money-gouging, but sometimes the fingers aren't as fast as the mind. Sometimes, the mind doesn't even connect with the fingers.

IMO, adding 600€ to a rental for a 0 deductible is extortion, but car rental agencies make a fortune this way. I don't see the practice stopping anytime soon. This, plus the fear of ZTLs, will stop plenty of U.S. travelers from ever enjoying a vacation in Italy in a car.
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 01:55 PM
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What I did with my recent Enterprise car rental (operated as a franchise by Locauto in Italy) was to use my annual excess/deductible insurance bought in UK, and decline all Super CDW etc by Locauto (though there was no hard sell). So they took 1,200 euro reserve on my credit card against damage and theft (just one amount), and should I have been unfortunate enough to have a claim, they would have deducted appropriate amount from the reserve, and I would have submitted a claim for reimbursement to my UK insurance company. Now the policy I have is only available to UK or EU resident, but I believe there are other companies that cover others. I have been doing the same for several years with all my car rentals, and I haven't had any problem or claim.
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 04:29 PM
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"We were told by our CC company: we would have to turn in our car and write up a new contract after 14 days."
I've never heard that one before, the "fine print" in most credit card agreements states that back-to-back rentals will be considered as one rental of excessive days, and will not be covered.
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