I am aware that this is a cross border one way rental, and the rates seem reasonable enough for our dates, but I still have an insurance question. The "inclusive rate" at AutoEurope.com is much more expensive and includes

Inclusive Rate Includes:

Liability Insurance
Fire Insurance
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) - with deductible
Theft Protection (TP) - with deductible

We have great car insurance at home (USAA) and will rent with credit card that provides coverage. Are those 4 things listed in the Inclusive Rate not included in credit card coverage or regular car insurance? What about travel insurance?

Drawing a blank of this despite lots of car rentals in Europe and elsewhere.

Italy is the exception on CC coverage, but not sure if you rent in CH and drop in Italy if that is different--a question for your CC company.

Kemwel will give you a quote with full coverage with no deductibles, which I prefer.

Most credit cards do not include coverage in Italy or Ireland (read the fine print as certain countries are excluded). I don't believe US car insurance covers you in Europe.

USAA coverage is valid in Canada & Mexico, but not elsewhere like in Europe. Credit card car rental insurance programs do not cover rentals in Italy. I am not sure whether you need anything but CDW insurance.

>>>Credit card car rental insurance programs do not cover rentals in Italy.<<<<

Actually, there are a few Visa cards that do cover Italy, but not all Visa cards do.

Surprised to check and see that my mastercard now covers Italy, Ireland, Israel-- everywhere, actually.

https://www.capitalone.com/media/doc...e-world-mc.pdf

Is there a local requirement that one purchase insurance?

Interesting. So my car insurance isn't going to help, but I guess I better check all my credit cards...

bobthenavigator, I will also call Kemwell. Thanks.

You US car insurance does NOT cover you in europe - only US and Canada as far as I know. You can call and check but I have never seen it.

Many credit cards cover car insurance (but often not Ireland or Italy) but it typically has a deductible and may include only partial coverage - so you need to determine that for whatever card you plan using. Also not sure if it ever cover glass or tires.

Your CC will cover for CDW and Theft, which are optional in Switzerland.

The insurance requirements and laws are based on the country you are renting out of, so even though CDW and TP are legally mandatory in Italy, since you are renting out of CH they won't be even though you are traveling into Italy. The fire and liability insurances are included in all Auto Europe and Kemwel rates and I'm pretty sure they're legally mandatory in all of Europe.

So you should have the option of getting a basic rate and using insurance through your CC, but call your CC to confirm if you are covered in Italy or not! As far as I know, glass and tires won't be covered in any CDW or Theft coverage (whether through the rental company or your CC); this is a separate insurance you'll have to pay extra for. You can opt-in for this at the rental desk when you're picking up