Auto insurance and banking
 

We are picking up our car up at Marco Polo airport and returning to the same location 18 days later. I get confusing info about insurance and "stickers" that I need. I also would like to know fodorites opinion as to the best way to keep money available or charge everything to a credit card. Please offer your advice on either or both topics. Thanks in advance.
Fireman Brian

Are you renting from AutoEurope or Kremwel? They can give you advice about insurance and any stickers you may need. Do you plan to stay within Italy or drive to other countries?

I usually charge most items to my credit card (be certain to let your credit card company know where you will be traveling.) I also use my debit card to withdraw some euros (or whatever currency you need) while I am abroad to use for small purchases. You might consider using a money belt to keep most of your euros safe and keep just a small amount of funds easily accessible.

Also make sure you have a good credit limit on your credit card. If you do not rent a car "inclusive" or with no deductible for damage sometimes the rental car will put a "hold" on your card for the amount of that deductible which could be hundreds of dollars.
When you return the car in good condition or with no damage the hold is taken off the card.
But while you are traveling you may need your entire credit limit available depending what that is.
And do make sure you ask the car company about stickers. Just tell them where you want to drive the car. Some companies have restrictions about certain border crossings.
Have a wonderful trip

Carrying a large amount of cash is a really bad idea but you will definitely need some of the local currency in each country.

We charge everything we can on CCs in order to get the best rate of exchange and then pull walking around money from a bank ATM with our debit card. Since US banks usually have a fee for this (european banks don't) we generally change about 250 euros at a time and then replenish as necessary.

Most important is to keep money, cards and passports secure. I use a cross body shoulder bag with sturdy straps and DH uses a small but sturdy daypack he carries on one shoulder (if it's behind you it's impossible to see and pickpockets can easily cut it and pull out contents without you knowing).
Whatever you do NEVER let go of bag or daypack any place in public - even a store or restaurant.

We always purchase the extra zero deduction insurance when we rent from Autoeurope. It is worth every dime of extra cost just for the peace of mind. Generally, credit card insurance will not cover cars rented in Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Israel. Maybe yours will provide coverage, but most do not.

We travel in Italy every year, so we return with 200€ for the following year's pilgrimage. A cogent strategy would be to secure 100€ or 200€ prior to leaving the USA. Once we are in-country we access ATM's called Bancomats using our ATM card. We only use ATM's attached to banks and only when they are open. If the machine eats the card we can go inside and retrieve it. Notify your bank of your travel plans so you can use them while overseas. We never use a free standing ATM anywhere because of the ease of tampering.

Bank of America offers a Travel Rewards credit card, which does not charge foreign exchange fees or an annual fee.

WEAR A MONEY BELT. The pickpockets in Italy are the maestros of this particular skill set. We carry only enough cash for one day's expenses and if it's stolen we are not without funding.

Notify the bank and any credit card companies of your travel plans so you can use their cards.

Buon viaggio,

Should have been a little more informative earlier. Landing in italy but immediately going to Slovenia Croatia and on to montenegro in an Enterprise rental car. Will keep cash in my front pocket. Am going to keep a mouse trap in the back pocket and ACT really drunk. LOL, just kidding but it sounds like fun doesn't it?
Fireman

Have you got agreement with the rental company that you can take your car to Croatia? Some rental outfits refuse to sanction it.

You need a Vignette sticker to drive in Slovenia:

http://www.slovenia.info/en/FAQ/Vign...?faq=199&lng=2

This is very important: buy one at the border or at the first gas station you get to immediately upon crossing (or even in Italy if possible). Otherwise, the fine could be 150 Euros. Unprepared drivers routinely complain about getting caught and having to pay the fine.

You don't need a "sticker" for driving in Croatia or Montenegro. Croatia has turnpike-like paid highways where you take a ticket at the entrance and pay when you exit based on how far you have traveled. Croatian pay road booths take credit cards; I used my Chase Visa with a chip (but no PIN) numerous times to pay a few weeks ago. You can also pay with cash/Kunas.

You do need a cross-border card most likely to travel into Montenegro, which isn't in the EU. Also, when you drive down the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, note that you have to drive through a small sliver of Bosnia, the "Neum Corridor," so you will cross the border into Bosnia and then back to Croatia a few km later, with border checks. In theory you also need the cross border card to cross at Neum, but in practice it may not be checked. Mine was definitely checked when crossing into Montenegro from Croatia, though.

if you can negotiate discounts for paying cash for your rooms you might be able save substantial amounts. If so, one way to do it safely would be to take out enough money daily to have enough on hand for your expenses and for the next room.s charges.

The only country we can't drive into that we would like to visit is Bosnia/herzegovenia. We have already paid for our rooms through Airbnb or hostelworld. Thank you all sincerely for your guidance. We are neophytes into the Europe world of travel and will carefully consider all advice.
Fireman