tuscanlifeedit--How long ago did you check with Nova on insurance? Nova does now include full insurance coverage.

Wow, I'm checking prices for a two week rental, pick up Florence airport, drop off Pisa airport, midsize manual and the best quote I got was $1,108.00 (all inclusive) from Avis. This is crazy. We've had 2 week rentals in Europe for less than half that cost. Does this sound normal for Italy? That's $79.00 a day!!!

What was the quote from Andy at gemut.com?

Ira: the nervousness was (and is) about the implied pitfalls of car-rental in Italy esp. non-coverage or other rip-offs.

The itinerary -- or itinery, to adopt the prevalent spelling on Fodors -- is very simple:

Get from Rome to Montepulciano, park briefly, then drive around for a week in steadily expanding spiral from that base to Tuscan/Umbrian sites of ever-increasing splendor and charm. Then back to Fiumicino (and off to Prague).

Suggestions for must-sees from a base in Montepulciano?

I lived for a few months in Perugia after living in Florence but that was -- gasp -- 1974. Haven't been to Tuscany since 1977! I still picture Tuscans as reed-thin people in platform shoes and flared trousers....who cannot pronounce the letter "c" except as "h".

Hi ted,

Italy now requires CDW for car rental. You will probably want the Super CDW - none to very little deductible - at about $8 pd extra.

Your credit card insurance won't be applicable in italy.

((I))

My Visa card company said it would cover Italy. So, what about getting the CDW with a deductible? Some of the rental companies offer that, and it's less. Also, some of the companies give you the 2nd driver for free. Auto Europe charges. Has anybody heard of cheap-car-rental.com?

Hi SH,

>My Visa card company said it would cover Italy.<

Do you mean that they will insure you if you decline the CDW and TLW insurance?

Get that in writing.

((I))

We just got back from Italy. Rented from Avis/Auto Europe. The bad news: went through FOUR cars! #1 had a broken heater, #2 had engine trouble, #3 was too small, #4 was just right.
The good news: there was an Avis office wherever we went, and if they didn't have a replacement, the town 30 minutes down the road did.

Hi, just wanted to weigh in with a recent experience. We have 12 leaving for Florence in 2 weeks, and I've rented 2 vehicles. I priced them with both Autoeurope and Nova, and after tweaking the slight differences in make of vehicle and deductibles, Nova was almost $800 cheaper, apples to apples. AutoEurope did match the price, and I will use them, since I've used them before, they have a convenient location and I've had good experiences with them 3 times before. BUT I will never again negotiate with them without a competitive bid, as I was pretty surprised they could meet the price with that great a difference - what a margin of profit they must work with! (whether or not i rent with them again, but maybe I should buy stock!)They were also a little snarky in the negotiation process, but i'm spending other people's money here, so I put up with the attitude for the sake of the savings. Just an FYI.