I was just told by a travel agent that if I rent a car in Nice and drive into Italy that at the border they may require that I purchase more insurance to enter the country. Has anyone had this experience?

Hi P,

I fear that the TA was misinformed.

You do need an International Driver's Permit in Italy.

I think it is very possible that the insurance will not be in effect if you take the car into Italy. It would seem highly unlikely that anyone would sell you insurance at the border (which you will basically just breeze right past).

Italy requires you to purchase theft insurance. France does not. So yes, if you take the car into Italy you will be obliged to purchase the theft insurance. I don't think it costs very much, so I'd just buy it for both France and Italy.

mOST CREDIT CARD COMPANIES WILL NOT HONOR THEIR INSURANCE when the rental car travels into Italy. I found out the hard way. Not one scratch on the car in 4 weeks in Nice, but one day in Italy, while the car was parked, it was side swiped pretty bad. My kids spent a couple hours, pushing the panel dent out, spot painting, then buffing, then applying a layer of mud, before we turned it in.