jent103

I'm in the process of booking a car rental for five days in Tuscany, picking up at the Pisa airport and dropping off at Chiusi. We have to rent an automatic, which both narrows down our options and drives up our cost. I've been looking at AutoEurope, which quotes us $415. Booking directly through an agency like Budget or Avis saves us money (enough to add a GPS for the same $415), but I'm concerned that I'm missing something about the insurance included or other terms.

Booking with AutoEurope, the site states that the rate Includes:
Value Added Tax (Vat)
Liability Insurance
Fire Insurance
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) - with deductible
Theft Protection (TP) - with deductible
Unlimited Miles

Booking with Avis (for example - the rates with Budget are similar), it says CDW and theft protection are included. It also says we can purchase "additional" liability insurance, which would seem to imply that some liability insurance might be included, but I can't find anything that specifically states that. So my concern is that what looks like a good deal will actually cost us more when we go to pick up the car. If anyone has any insight I'd appreciate it!

NYCFoodSnob

This question has been asked a million times. A lot of tourists are tired of offering explanations, because so much information is already available on the internet.

Here is a crash course: AutoEurope will meet or beat any price from a competitor as long as the "package" is the same. IMO, it makes no sense for an American to trust their European car rental with anyone other than AutoEurope. No matter what happens with or during your rental experience, AutoEurope has the industry clout. AutoEurope is based in America, and they have far more customers than any single rental car company in Europe. Not only will Auto Europe provide the best pricing options, they speak English, they've been in business for decades, and their rental agreements come with no cancellation fees as long as you cancel before the dates of your rental.

You can do all the research you want (and you should), but as long as AutoEurope will offer the same price for a competitor's identical package, you'd be smart to take it.

Michael

What are the deductibles when renting directly from Avis?

I agree that everything else being equal, it is better to rent via Autoeurope or Kemwel.

jent103

Well, NYCFoodSnob, I've been posting and reading on these boards for nine years, enough to know people preferred AutoEurope, but still didn't know the answer or whether the preference for AutoEurope had perhaps changed over time. (If the boards were only for questions that had never been asked before, they would be very boring indeed.) Though I'm not a novice traveler, I am new at international car rentals. So thanks for spending a few minutes to spell it out.

Michael - the web site says that with CDW, the customer is responsible for 1000 British pounds (no idea why it's quoted in pounds, though I'm sure someone here does know). That's all I can find! However, when I updated my search just now, the price went up and AutoEurope is now the cheapest again (browser cookies? weekly price increase? who knows). So perhaps a moot point!

NYCFoodSnob

jent103, I wasn't complaining that your question has been asked a million times. I was merely stating a fact and a possible reason why many experienced travelers are not going to jump in and help you decipher competing insurance add-on plans.

You're welcome.

Waldo

I have had my fill. I read all the horror stories on these blobs relating to car rentals in Europe, and I find them pretty hard to understand. I've been going to Europe, mainly Naples, for close to thirty years, and I have NEVER had a "smidgeon" (as Pres Obama says) of problems by renting here in the US from Hertz and picking up in Italy, France or Germany. I have had two incidences, one which was the side view mirror, the glass portion only, of a brand new car falling off or disapearing, and the other, a large stone putting a dent in the rocker panel beneath the driver door. Both incidences were completely shrugged off when I returned the autos, with no repurcussions at all. I have always had courteous service and no disagreements on charges. Another benefit, is that renting in Naples, at the main rail terminal, you get absolutely free parking at their garage adjacent to the staion. I mean parking any time! THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL FOR HERTZ!

bobthenavigator

After more than 30 years of facing that same decision I have concluded that AE and their sister company, Kemwel, are your best options for Italy. In the past year, I see Kemwel with the better coverage. I would look no further.

kybourbon

>>>Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) - with deductible<<<

Check full coverage for both. I think your price difference is going to be in this coverage (what's excluded) and perhaps other fees not listed (drop off elsewhere, extra driver). Most people in Italy opt for the zero deductible. Check the car over at pick up, mark every little ding (including on bumpers, hubcaps, etc.). Take pics.

If you rent from Hertz you need to pay in advance in USD and make sure it is full CDW. Hertz does DCC (it's written into their contracts and can't be removed if you pay in Italy - fine print on back).

There have been long threads about some people renting cars from Hertz.it instead of Hertz.com and getting much cheaper prices (I think ekscrunchy has a couple of threads about it if you want to search as she gets automatics).

There can be a difference in treatment when you rent from Hertz/Avis on whether it's a franchise or corporate location. You can check that on their websites. Most (all?) returns in Chiusi or Orvieto will be to a franchise. I imagine your pick ups in Pisa would be corporate owned, but you can check.

Michael

I jut received an e-mail from Autoeurope which claims to have a 30% sale.

mazzaschi

I have tried to understand all aspects of this and its impossible. I don't think you are missing anything. First, Be sure the car categories are comparable by checking on Wikipedia. I've seen 'Compact' on Hertz from AutoEurope actually be a Mini. Second, AutoEurope's refundable deductible excludes incidents in 'parking facilities'.

jent103

Thanks very much for the advice, all (and affirmation, mazzaschi!). I wish it weren't so confusing, but I do live in the real world so am not that surprised. I'll look at hertz.it (thanks, kybourbon), but short of a deal there, we'll likely just go with the smallest automatic available from either AutoEurope or Kemwel since it's the safer option. And Michael, thanks so much for the tip - I'll check that out today!