We are going to spend 2 weeks in Sicily this May and are arranging a car rental here through Auto Europe and pre-pay as we usually do. Our gold VISA card should cover all insurance. Does anyone have any advice or has had any experience with needing any extra car insurance in Italy?

Q: DO YOUR RATES INCLUDE INSURANCE?
A: All Auto Europe's rates include primary liability and fire protection. Because the frequency of theft is higher in some countries, theft protection varies (but is mandatory in Italy). Collision damage waiver insurance (CDW) or loss damage waiver insurance (LDW) is required in Italy. In other countries it is optional.

Hi we also have a gold visa card. Italy is the one exception, it is not covered. It is mandatory to take the insurance offered by the rental agency

You should specifically ask Visa if it does what you think it does in Italy. Ask them if they give you "xero deductible coverage."

Your rental agency in Italy will insist you take insurance, but unless you pay for "no deductible" you will be liable for the first two or three hundred euro if the car is damaged or stolen. You don't want that. Zero deductible coverage adds a bit to the daily rate, but it's worth it -- especially in Sicily, where the driving is rather -- uh, free form.

For peace of mind, I would contact your foreign car rental and ask for "zero deductible coverage." Ask them how it is coded on the contract so that you are sure you've got it in the contract when you sign the contract for your car in Sicily.

I'm pretty sure that AutoEurope included CDW in their rates for Italy. That's not the case with rentals in other countries. You should double-check with AutoEurope to see if this is the case, and then make your decision on an "upgrade" to zero deductible if you want "full" insurance. Your CC will not cover you if you accept CDW (which you are required to do in Italy).

Stu Dudley

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post - it's really helpful information!

Hi Lo,

>Our gold VISA card should cover all insurance.<

As noted, it might not. Have them send you the insurance policy.

AE does provide zero deductible insurance, for a low fee, for most countries. It works the way your CC insurance does - you are reimbursed after you pay for the damage.

We rent the car in France and drive through Italy for several weeks with a return into France....is there anything special we would need to cover Italian requirements or is it all based on originating country...

Traviati

I asked my CC issuer if they covered me in Italy if I rented the car in France, and they said that they do. That was about 5 years ago, however. I have read several disclosure statements from my various CC issuers and some did not say that they would not cover Italy (kinda of a double negative, but I presume that they would cover), another said that "you may be unable to receive benefits in ....Italy, Ireland, etc,. Please contact your vehicle rental agency before you travel".

Stu Dudley

Thanks Stu..Sounds like a telephone call is in order to try to qualify this...will call CC and rental...difficulty is in getting everyone to say the same thing...sometimes at the rental agencies, it just depends who you speak to...