sferguso

Flying into Geneva, Switzerland for a 10 day trip to southern France in late June. I have a car reserved with Hertz.

What do I need to know about renting a car abroad? Is the insurance situation similar to the United States (where I usually decline all insurance coverage)?

How about the international driver's license? Does anybody know if that is required in either France or Switzerland?

Please share any tips or things you think I should know that I have not asked above.

Thanks in advance!

Sarastro

Insurance - CDW and theft are usually covered by your credit card as long as you meet the criteria setup in their agreements:

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/b..._personal.html

The best insurance of which I am aware is offered by American Express for $25 and is much more comprehensive than the free versions offered by Visa or MC:

https://www295.americanexpress.com/p...do?source=CCSG

_____


International Driving Permit - I have recently seen where this is required in France but I rent cars in France usually twice a year and have even been stopped by the Police on several occasions and never has my original license in English be found insufficient. You can obtain one from AAA for about $20 but I consider it a waste of money.

_____

Review some of the driving rules outlined here:

http://www.americansinfrance.net/Driving/

http://www.ambafrance-us.org/visitingfrance/driving.asp

plastic_paddy

If you decide to pick up a car from the French side of Geneva be aware that you may not have the correct permit to drive on a Swiss motorway, so will have to find the side roads to get back to the airport on return. If you pick up on the Swiss side of the airport then you should have the permit included.

As above, check your credit card providor for what insurance you may or may not have.

IDP's are always a gray area...I'm sure if ask every tourist pulled over for whatever reason in France has only produced their National license with no problems...but I believe France is on the "required" list of countries....

http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/conne...g+requirements

ParisAmsterdam

When you say you always decline the insurance .... you may be covered on your own car's policy. But that won't cover you in Europe. So check your credit cards for coverage...