Best Way to Rent Car in Italy

You need to arrange to rent it before you leave the US. We have always booked with AutoEurope.com, a US broker for European car rentals. They work with many rental car companies. Look at their website.

I usually rent through Auto Europe, which is a consolidator. They have good rates and work through several car rental agencies to get you a good rate. You will need an international Driver’s Permit, which you can get at any AAA office, as well as your US driving license. Do buy complete coverage, as this will take care of any scratches or other car damage, as well as any accidents. While in Italy watch out for ZTL’s, which are sones of limited traffic, meaning zones open only to local residents and others with special permits. If you inadvertently enter a ZTL you will receive a hefty fine for which there is no appeal by mail several months after you return home and which must be paid immediately. Also, note that many Italian roads have traffic speed cameras, so obey the local speed limitations. Also know that renting a car can be difficult if not impossible if you are 70 or above.

Many people typically rely on the free coverage that comes with a credit card when renting a car, but be aware that nearly every card excludes Italy (and Ireland, and Isreal...something about countries starting with "I") so that typically leaves paying for the rental company CDW, in addition to some mandatory liability insurance.

Also research ZTL's

Apologies if I'm repeating this, but based on personal experience, I know it catches people out.

Car rental companies are among the most complained-about businesses there are, and with good reason. This includes the big, international and well-known brands. One of the issues is insurance and the rental companies' often deliberately deceptive behaviour in 'upselling' to customers.

They are rarely transparent and clear about what cover is included, what the limitations are and what options are best for you. Also, because there is no consistency in how they approach the matter of insurance, customers have no choice but to read the T&Cs very carefully and, if anything isn't clear, ask them in writing BEFORE you pay anything. I had to do this recently, when booking a rental car from Milan Malpenso airport.

Most rental companies supply cars they are insured already. The renter's liability, in the case of an accident, damage or theft, is limited to the 'excess' payment - an amount that you must pay toward the total cost of repair/replacement. This can be a few hundred dollars, or thousands. You will typically be given the option to reduce this excess liability by paying a CDW (Crash Damage Waiver) or 'excess reduction'. You can even reduce this to zero, depending on how much extra (per day) you're prepared to pay.

Now, this is where things can get complicated. Many credit cards provide complimentary travel insurance, and other stand-alone travel insurance policies, which includes, in effect, this 'excess liability' cover, so you should not have to pay the rental company for their own CDW cover. However, it is vital to ensure that the cover you use is actually enough to cover the full excess charged by the rental company. It isn't always, and you might have to pay a small additional amount to get sufficient cover.

Some rental companies will try to get customers with their own CDW cover to buy even more cover when the collect the car, saying that the customer's cover isn't satisfactory, doesn't apply in that country or some other nonsense. I fell for this some years ago, when credit card cover was a new thing. Found out when I got back that I'd been stung - and it was one of the big, so-called 'reputable' hire companies.

My advice is to book in advance, before leaving home, and then confirm with the rental company by email (thus in writing) that:

(1) the hire charges include 'basic insurance' (cover for the excess is of course useless if the car wasn't insured in the first place)
(2) the policy you intend to use is acceptable to the car rental company
(3) the policy you propose to use is sufficient to cover the $ excess imposed by the rental company, allowing for currency exchange.

Then, assuming you get the company to confirm your policy is OK by email, print a copy and take it with you when you collect the car, because some counter staff are quite unscrupulous and will try to boondoggle your jetlagged arse. I just plop the email on the counter and say, "Look here. According to YOUR colleague in head office, I'm covered, so no thanks."

Some people would rather just buy the CDW cover from the rental company, even though it is usually much more expensive than either complimentary CC cover or a seperate travel insurance policy.

dave,

First of all regarding the insurance. According to the Gemut.com car rental guide.....

"In both Italy and Israel, CDW and theft coverage must be purchased from the rental company. Some credit cards offer coverage in Italy, but it means nothing because all major rental companies require the purchase of CDW and theft insurance. The only question left is will your credit card reimburse the deductible in case of damage or theft? Apparently Visa will, but confirm with them. This a murky area."

Also, i's important to note that for driving in Italy, each driver listed on the rental form must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which may be provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Failure to pay the fines when requested may result in the rental car being impounded, and further charges for towing and storage. Have a look at https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/transportation-driving/ for more information on I.D.P's and driving in Italy.

As others have mentioned above, you may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the Zona Traffico Limitato (limited traffic) areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities especially Florence, which is almost saturated with automated ZTL cameras. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket, which you won't know about until several months after you return home! This website provides more information - http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/traffic_cameras_speeding.htm

I am glad to see Ken mention www.gemut.com. I was terrified the first time we rented a car in Italy and was delighted with the price and the service going thru Gemut. Great personalized service and 24 hour assistance in English. They have a free guide to driving in Europe you can download whether you rent thru them or not.

"In both Italy and Israel, CDW and theft coverage must be purchased from the rental company. Some credit cards offer coverage in Italy, but it means nothing because all major rental companies require the purchase of CDW and theft insurance ... "

I have hired a car in Italy for an upcoming trip, directly through Europcar. They have confirmed, in writing, that the rental fee includes insurance (for a very reasonable total charge), leaving just the option to reduce the excess for an additional fee. I then asked my credit card company (I have a Visa card) if the complimentary insurance will cover me for a car rented in Italy and then used in Switzerland and Austria, and they confirmed it does.

My understanding is that, should I have an accident, I will be liable for the excess but then can claim it back when I get home, through the travel insurance policy.

We always rent through Autoeurope and purchase the zero deductible insurance for the added peace of mind. None of my credit cards provide insurance coverage in Italy, it just becomes the expense of traveling.

After many years of hassle free car rentals we did have an up charge problem with Autoeurope in Roma at Stazione Termini. It was purely my fault for being careless and in a hurry, but Autoeurope refunded the entire amount back to my card when we reported it to them.

As mentioned before, obtain an International Driving Permit before you leave.

Buon viaggio,