Car Rental Questions - Florence/Tuscany
 

Hi everyone,
I've searched the forums and haven't been able to find answers to my specific questions, so forgive me if you've heard these questions before. I'm flying to Florence in September and am planning on renting a car from Hertz at the airport. Will spend a week in Tuscany and then two days in Florence before flying home. I've heard it's not worth having a car in Florence so I'm going to see if I can drop it off at a Hertz rental agency right in Florence... rather than the airport.

Here are my questions:
-- Is it easy to pick-up/drop-off at different locations?

-- Would you recommend obtaining additional rental insurance? I'm covered at home in the US.

-- Do I need a special drivers license? I've heard that I need to obtain an "international" license before heading overseas. Do you know where I'd obtain one?

-- Can anyone recommend a great map to use in Florence/ Tuscany?

Any other helpful hints?

THANK YOU.

Hi J,

>Is it easy to pick-up/drop-off at different locations?<

If you mean, "is there an additional charge?", No.

>Do I need a special drivers license?<
You ought to get an International Driver's Permit, in case a cop asks to see your license. It's only $10.

See http://www.aaasouth.com/travel_drivers.asp#idp

((I))

Hi Ira,

Thanks so much. This is very helpful.

Jenny

As long as you stay in the same COUNTRY you can drop off/pick up at any of their locations...very easy to do.

Italy is one of the two or three European countries that CDW (collision damage waiver) is necessary..
UNLESS you charge by Mastercard(not Visa) and HAVE A LETTER from Mastercard (not the bank on your card).The 800- MC will help you.
You might want to get the CDW waiver for peace of mind,but even though they will tell you it is mandatory, it's not necessary with the MC letter.
Yes, you usually don't need the international drivers license, but would come in handy in case of a fender bender or something similar. It's $10 at AAA office , PLUS about $7 for a couple of regululation size pictures (they will snap them).
Michelin always has great maps...and you can copy off the sections you want to make it easier to carry.Often the Tourist Information (like in Florence) has good city maps.

>Italy is one of the two or three European countries that CDW (collision damage waiver) is necessary..<

It is MANDATORY. You cannot waive the CDW. Your CC will not cover Italy.

jennymary....check with Hertz about accepting a letter from Mastercard!

Ireland is another country with that ruling, and WE got out of buying the CDW,,(about 4 yrs ago). Had a letter from MC.
Things MIGHT have changed, ira, since then....and I have heard that in ITaly the price of the CDW is built into the price of the car......so it sounds like there may be no way of getting out of it. (But it wasn't always that way!)

Hi Mari,

Here's what my AMEX insurance plan says:

"It does not include....companies located in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica and NZ".

The MC and Visa people have the same restrictions.

((I))