Renting a car in Italy
 

Greetings Fodorites! I'm thinking of renting a car on my upcoming trip to Italy and would like your thoughts on the terms of the rental since I've heard so many stories about needing to make sure we have adequate insurance coverage. Please let me know what you think... Thank you! (also I'm planning to use Auto Europe, unless there is a better company to use).

[YOUR RENTAL INCLUDES]

* Sales tax as of Booking Date: 13-Mar-2011.. Unlimited mileage and fire insurance. Liability Insurance for injuries or damages to persons or things outside the vehicle.
* Rental includes Theft Protection for the vehicle. Rental limits potential vehicle loss liability to deductible of approximately EUR 400.00..
* Rental includes Collision Damage coverage . Rental limits potential vehicle damage liability to deductible of approximately EUR 250.00.
* Location Surcharge for rentals commencing at an airport or railstation location.

[RENTAL DOES NOT INCLUDE]

* Gasoline or Diesel. Client is advised to return the vehicle with a full fuel tank and to retain copies of gas receipts. Exception: Pre-paid fuel option, in which case, the car should be returned as empty as possible (no refund for unused fuel).
* Insurance coverage for personal injuries to driver or passengers. Optional coverage may be offered locally for an additional fee .
* Road tax of approximately EUR 3.50 per day, with a maximum charge of 20 days. Local toll, highway fees or travel stickers which may be required by local authorities.

I suggest using the search function - there are already many (and perhaps too many) threads on this topic.

I found economycarrentsal.com to be cheaper than AutoEurope in Switzerland. There is no deductible, and those who have experienced damage to the car have reported good service.

I do not know why I wrote Switzerland because I meant Italy, having never rented a car in Switzerland.

You are required to have insurance and Autoeurope or its affiliate are all inclusive and almost always the less expensive.

If you are a long term rental (3 weeks or more) then you can do a Peaugot or Remault buy back which saves money.

We are 3 months and are saving $1500.00 by simply doing a lease buy back out of france.

Amen to that, Franco!

There are certainly (too) many threads on this subject. I am afraid that I must hang my head and take responsibility for several of them, including this one:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...c-question.cfm

The problem is that each rental company or broker is unique in and of itself.
Inclusive rates, exclusive rates, extra driver included or not, different deductibles mileage limitations, airport surcharges.
The list is endless and confusing. And Italy is very confusing.

:)
But what I have to add in your favour, ek, is that the thread quoted above is certainly THE know-all-end-all thread on Italian car rentals.

We've rented twice in Italy and had no problems. Before you panic about buying additional coverage through the rental agency, give your own insurere a call. We found that our policy provided all the coverage we needed for a rental, even in Europe (including Greece, Spain & Italy).

Wow - thanks for all the responses!