We rented a car from Italy Car Rent and were ripped off for hundreds of dollars. We needed a car for transportation to and from our lodging between flights. We had the car less than 24 hrs.and drove less than 20 miles. After we returned the car we were billed for around $750 in damages. When I protested they lowered it to $500. At the time we rented the car the agent told us that it had a lot of damage. I said “Guess I don’t need to take photos then.” The agent smiled and nodded. In my opinion Italy Car Rent pays for its vehicles by charging customers for damage they didn’t do. DO NOT EVER RENT FROM ITALY CAR RENT.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
18290 posts
It's a well known dishonest rental company.
Always use TrustPilot to see their reviews. This company has a history of scamming people with fake damages.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13904 posts
At the time we rented the car the agent told us that it had a lot of damage. I said “Guess I don’t need to take photos then.”
Unless the agent had given me a document showing all the existing damage, that would have been my cue to photo everything
Where was this?
Was it really cheaper and more convenient than taking a taxi?
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
9829 posts
You took the car knowing full well it had damage that you did not document.
You rented a car without adding any insurance?
I have never heard of Italy Car Rent but a quick Google search brings up mostly bad reviews.
Pre-existing Damage: Reviewers frequently mention receiving vehicles
(especially in high-volume tourist spots like Catania, Sicily, or
Sardinia) that have lots of minor scratches and dents. Some customers
claim they were later held financially responsible for pre-existing
wear.
Did you not have the option of using a well known rental agent like Sixt, Avis, Hertz?
Or could have just taken a taxi for such a short distance/time?
Where was this?
I don't think you are going to get much sympathy here.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
18290 posts
Italy Car Rent S.R.L. (Società a Responsabilità Limitata=Limited Liability Company) is headquartered near the Palermo airport, so they are big in Sicily where they were founded 15 years ago, but they have agencies in many major airports and some major train stations. They grew quickly in their 15 years of existence.
Their strategy is to be present at main airport terminals, so that you don't need a shuttle to reach them, and that makes it convenient for air travelers. I guess the OP used them for that reason.
The advice by many users is to fully insure cars rented from them, with zero deductible, of they'll make you regret the choice to decline insurance.
The company was founded by two siblings (brother and sister), Vincenzo and Federica Caravello. Not sure if they are related to Vito and Michael Corleone, but it looks like they use a similar business model...LOL.
Posted by
Milan Italy
165 posts
Hi, Giangilberto from Milan, so my advice is to always go with very well-known and established car rental companies.
It's clear that using this type of company means you pay a little more than other prices, perhaps from other companies that can be found more competitively on the Internet. However, in the end, you won't have any surprises. I mean, these companies are almost totally reliable, I won't say 100%, but 99% reliable, and you won't have any surprises. For example, I always use companies like Sixt, Hertz, Enterprise. They are very established companies that have been in this business for years and that don't implement these policies of essentially ripping people off. Above all, as Roberto says, it's a good idea to check the reviews on Trust pilot before venturing into renting a car with a company you know nothing about.