What car rental company have you had good and/or bad experience in renting in Italy? Thanks in advance for any information.

I've rented through both Europcar and Auto Europe and have had no problems at all. The cars were as represented and I had no mechanical problems.

Hi ky,

www.autoeurope.com
http://www.novarentacar.com/
https://www.kemwel.com/bookingengine/car.cfm

have been often recommended here.

This summer I used: rentalcargroup.com and found them to offer the best price. The rental was smooth and uneventful.

They appear to be a booking agent. You actually rent from one of the agencies whose name you'll recognize, but the price is better.

If I rent a car in Italy this June I'll probably go with them. My preliminary look seems to show them to be the best price again.

Italy rentals are all about insurance. Just be careful you compare wisely.

I booked with AutoEurope and did my homework on the web, finding a lower price elsewhere, which AutoEurope beat, as promised. However, their "free" cell phone rental is no bargain. Cheaper to go with mobal.com instead, and in the end you own the phone.

Artsfan:
Pray tell, what is the name of the car rental agency whose price was lower than AutoEurope? I, and probably everyone else on this board would love to know!
Carol L

Yes. Basically artsfan, you've just said to us "I know how to get a lower rate from AutoEurope, but I'm not telling you how to do it." Please tell.

When we rented in Germany in October, we rented through gemut.com. The rental was through AutoEurope, but less expensive. Gemut rents in Italy also, so phone Andrew for a quote. Also check with your airline, which may have an agreement with a rental agency at an attractive rate.

Thanks, Betsy. I believe we did rent through Gemut two summers ago, but I had forgotten about that. Will check it out again...
Carol L

Thanks everybody. Very helpful information! Now I'll charge into my research of car rental companies you've recommended.

I checked the prices at http://www.novarentacar.com/

They were about 100E less than www.autoeurope.com because they did not charge airport fees and a few other things.

AutoEurope underbid them.

Quick question: Is it necessary to actually book (then cancel) with another company before asking AutoEurope to match the rate? Or is it possible to simply inform AE about the lower offer from another company?

I just showed AutoEurope the lower rate email or website page with quote, and they beat it. Also, I always seem to get a bigger car when going through AutoEurope.

I stick with them because in Italy, I worry about the insurance coverage, and I know with AutoEurope everything is included. I've had lower rates quoted from Nova, but when I asked about the insurance, they gave me another figure to add to the original quote.

insurance is the annswer her to lower rates so do your investigating wisely as already suggested.
there is a tendency to make you responsible for broken windsheilds, underside of car, flat tires, roof, etc.( even when you pay full coverage!!!) unless you go with a company that will offer you a ZERO RESPONSIBILITY policy.

very few do. so ask THAT QUESTION. even wwwhen i asked if it was full coverage, i was told YES... but then asked if it was zero responsibility, and i was told.. "OH, NO" and was shown the fine print.. ...
we ended up with europe car.. after cancelling another company at airport.

we rented from Hertz b4 we went and had no probs

Lucky you, eroz. Many have mentioned that if you DO have a problem and you've rented from Hertz or Avis, you'll have no luck with them when you get home. They immediately tell you that the European rentals are separate and have you try to straighten things out by calling back and forth to an office in Europe.
One reason I like AutoEurope. Even though the car might come from one of those firms, a US contact takes care of any problems.

"Italy rentals are all about insurance. Just be careful you compare wisely."

We always rent in France but somehow France seems so easy-going.

Italy = fast drivers, narrow streets, general lawlessness and disrespect for
cherished Britannic-Canadian values.

So now you've got me nervous re Italy and renting a car in March 2005. What should I be asking for...or about???

Be sure to check the rental companies' International site, not just the US one. There can be dramatic price differences.

Hi T,

>What should I be asking for...or about?

Is this your first time to Italy? Road signs and "rules of the road" can be a mite confusing.

What's your itinerary?