Problem with taking rental car to Corsica

Return car in Toulon, take ferry, rent car on Corsica.

First of all, I suspect your plan doesn't really make sense (I'd simply fly to Corsica and rent a car there - that's what I did - and I bet it was a lot cheaper than what you're trying to do). So my first suggestion would be to reconsider your plan. Just fly there and rent the car. It's easy, and not expensive.

But to answer your question...

I've rented a LOT of cars throughout Europe and around the world in the past few decades. IME car rental contracts often include a boilerplate clause that prohibits taking the car on a ferry (not just ferries to Corsica, but ferries in general). When I've found that (a few times in different countries), I've asked them to simply wave that clause (re-do the contact with that language removed). In all cases they've done so without any argument or pushback. Not saying you'll get the same (maybe I've just been lucky), but you can ask. (Of course if you ask and they refuse, and you disregard that and simply go ahead with taking the car on that ferry, be prepared for consequences - many rental cars have GPS tracking devices so they'll know; they can enforce the contract by fining you).

If you can't get them to OK the ferry, and you really want to take a car on that ferry (have you checked what that's going to cost, round trip for the car?), fire them and find an agency who will let you.

Good advice in the comments above.
If you were to drive from Angers to Toulon, you’re going to incur considerable additional charges such as French motorway tolls, potential traffic citations, parking and fuel costs. and then the cost of taking the car aboard the ferry.

These extra costs for renting a car, rather than taking a train or flying, will likely make the car rental more expensive than you think.

And then there is the fact that the insurance many car rental agencies offer at the counter may not cover you for any loss or damage occurring while the car is on the ferry. If the car breaks down on the island of Corsica, many agencies will hold you responsible. And that means you may be on your own for arranging any needed repairs along with the cost of the repairs and any “loss of use” costs the car rental agency hits you with. All these potential costs could easily run into the thousands of euros.

To avoid these potential vacation-wrecking scenarios , you could simply rent a car after arriving in Corsica.

By the way, once you get to Corsica, you're going to wish you had more than a week there. It's stunning...

Around Corsica

What I found for a r/t for 2 people/1 car is ~$400. Food extra Travel time 10hrs+

Do you really want to take a car with you vs a flight and a rental on the island?

Anybody know the history around this?

Suspect the rental company doesn't want the expense of flying someone to the island and having to bring it back on a ferry should something happen to the car while on the island. ( or having to ferry a tow truck to the island to retrieve an undriveable car)

Anyway to get around it?

Do not expect much help on that point

Community Guideline #7
Do not help people break laws. Speaking of the existence of law breaking is OK. Sharing how to circumvent visa restrictions, scam hotels, or perform other illegal acts is prohibited.

Why not check another rental agency?

I am with joe32F regarding guideline #7. Just follow the rules, and don't look for ways to "get around" them.

I was in Sardinia last October and figured I would see Corsica since I was in the region. I ferried from the Emerald Coast to Bonifaccio, and rented a car on the southernn end of the island. Here is my input. It is a BIG island. The region is mountainous. I loved Bonifaccio and very glad I went. Arriving by ferry was the highlight of my time on the island. Then with rental car made my way around Palomboggio and then drove on the west side of island to Ajaccio. Too much driving, very mountainous. Also, the cars are electric and when you're out on these mountain roads, it's a little nervy not knowing where the next charge station will be (and I am a Tesla owner). Get clear on why you want to go and what you want to do. It's very different than Crete where you can drive along the periphery of island and meander from road to coast. Corsica, at least where I was, is not that way. Fly in to wherever you want to visit, as needed get a car for a few days, leave the car on Corsica and fly back.

Insurance usually does not cover rental vehicles when transported on ferries.

Company,
Have you made any decisions regarding your Corsica visit?

Friends,

1) I was not seeking advice on how to break the law. I was looking for out-of-the-mainstream experiences with rental companies, that may have different insurance requirements. Ever hear of "rent-a-wreck" in the USA?

2) final plan.
-Staying with French friends in Montauban on drive down from Angers, after we will finish a 10 day bike trek.
-Will drive to Marseille and drop off rental car. Fly Air Corsica to Bastia. pick up rental car there for week.
-Fly back to Toulouse on Air Corsica. Fly home on Air Canada from Toulouse direct to Montreal, then down to Denver.

While we are doing this, our French friends will drive their own car to Toulon and still take the ferry across to Corsica, where we will meet them for holiday.

Safe travels, Compay

Compay,
Amusez-vous bien!

Just fyi for other travelers considering ferry travel with car -
EDITED TO ADD
Sixt does NOT cover damages occurred on ferry crossing. I have confirmed with their Munich representatives after they provided me inaccurate information.

We have taken a car (our own - not a rental) by ferry in the past when living in Italy and it was easy and enjoyable.

"Sixt (at least out of munich airport ) allows their cars to travel by ferry to corsica." - It does, but careful with the terms and conditions; not all vehicle damage which occurs on a ferry is covered by Sixt's insurance.

Yes agree with Gunderson - always important to read all the fine print and save correspondence with the agency, esp if you need to refer back in a dispute.
EDITED TO ADD
With a purchased protection plan Sixt does NOT cover the car during the crossing. I confirmed this with a Munich representative after being provided inaccurate information.

Gunderson - if you had a specific experience where they did not cover your car during a crossing please share - would be helpful to know.

Part of Sixt T&C, regardless of protection level:

10.2.4 Reasons for exclusion from the Liability Limitations for “Loss Damage
Waiver”, “Glass and Tyre Protection” and “Interior Protection”

These Liability Limitations will not apply:

• in the event of deliberate or fraudulent misconduct within the meaning of Article
L.113-1 of the French Insurance Code,

• in the event of negligence or carelessness on the part of the customer in the
safekeeping or protection of the vehicle keys, resulting in damage or theft,

• in the event of use of the vehicle by a person not authorized in the Rental
Contract,

• in the event of breach of the provisions of traffic regulations and applicable
road regulations,

• in the event of use of the rental vehicle contrary to the provisions of Article 7 of
these Conditions.

• in the event of transport of the vehicle by ferry,

Thank you for sharing - I will share that with the Munich representative I am dealing with who has given me quite different information.