Car insurance for Italy car rental

Listen to AAA! I always use my AMEX coverage renting cars in Europe, but Italy is one of the very few countries where it doesn't work. No matter the cost, in Italy i always buy the zero deductible collision coverage, what I call "bring it back in a bag" insurance. Several times it's been worth every cent. I've been pushed into a stone wall by a box truck and parked overnight on streets only to find my mirror missing and a long scrape down the side. Oh, and there was the time I hit a wild boar and the bumper fell off. For years I've been renting from Andy at gemut.com. They can give you very detailed explanations about insurance coverage in Italia. Ciao!

We arrange our cars through Autoeurope [for which we have a toll-free number]; get zero-deductible collision, which covers any damage to the body of the vehicle. This is important, as dents and/or scratches can be inflicted when the car is parked. Read this about driving in Italy and restrictions involved [ZTLs]; avoid leaving anything of value in a car when parked:

http://driventoit.blogspot.com/

It is vital that anyone driving has an IDP.

I would also recommend checking prices at AutoEurope.com. They usually list price with basic insurance and with $0 deductible. Normally in Italy on a compact class car the difference is $60-80 for a weekly rental. Foreign country, narrow roads, no familiarity with the area, towns with narrow, winding streets? I hate paying extra for anything but I never rent a car in Italy without $0 deductible. Spend the extra few bucks and have a stressless week driving all over Tuscany! And most credit card insurance will not cover rentals in Italy.

It is rare, if non-existent, that the credit card LDW applies in Italy.

Check with your card company.

I believe that Chase Sapphire Reserve covers CDW waiver in Italy. As noted above, check with your credit card issuer before relying on their insurance.

It is rare, if non-existent, that the credit card LDW applies in Italy.
Check with your card company

I agree, but do not just call and ask the first person who picks up the phone. Find your card agreement or info on the CC Rental Insurance and read the fine print, you can get it online as well.

90% of the cards do not cover you in a handful of countries (Oddly, most of them begin with "I") and Italy is usually listed. Even if your card does cover Italy, then try to find a Representative of the company that handles the insurance and understand what is needed to file a claim, how to do so, and what happens after. To many people have issues and then do not have a Police report, or the right statement from the rental agency, etc.; by then the charge is on your card waiting for you to resolve.

Your paying decent bucks for a tour and then a Villa, don't go cheap on Car insurance, that's one that can cost you in the end.

I’ll add one more caveat. The one time I was going to pop for the AutoEurope no deductible insurance, I noticed, in the fine print, that tires and windows were excluded. No deductible is not the same as no exclusions. So, to emphasize what others have said, read the fine print.
Btw, in Italy, we rely on our Chase cc. We’ve made claims with no hassle. Chase has lots of different cards, so it behooves the renter to check. We even recheck each time to be sure there haven’t been changes to the coverage.

cindy,

You might want to check with www.gemut.com as they have a lot of information about renting cars in Europe. Their information for Italy states....

"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. The only question left is will your credit card reimburse the deductible in case of damage or theft? Apparently only Visa will, but confirm with them. This a murky area."

As long as you're at the AAA office, don't forget to obtain compulsory International Driver's Permits for each person that plans on driving in Italy. These must be used in conjunction with your home D.L.

The one time I was going to pop for the AutoEurope no deductible insurance, I noticed, in the fine print, that tires and windows were excluded.

It's the same with their rentals in France. I did get the insurance, but hoped I didn't get a rock kicked up on the highway from a truck to chip the windshield.

Ages ago, I was in England, backing out of a parking space, and backed into a FANCY sports car - the type that had wipers on the headlights and I broke one of those lights. The Brit hopped out of the car and started yelling "what did you think you were doing?"
After he heard my American accent, he said it was OK, got in his car, and drove off!
It has been my only accident, having driven in England many times, France (Paris), Spain, Greece (Athens) ....

For Italy, I think of a mad Italian hopping out of a car and yelling at me, and I want a headache free outcome. I get the rental insurance when I'm out of the USA.

Two years ago, when going to Spain, I called my car insurance agent to run it by him and I think I called the VISA company.

I have NO idea why that Brit (in 1992) was so sweet.

"After he heard my American accent, he said it was OK, got in his car, and drove off!"

Perhaps he had the same attitude as these drivers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQAbek0uOP0 .

We ALWAYS purchase the "0" deductible and it is worth every penny. It is also worth the cost for the peace-of-mind. Generally, credit cards do not cover cars in Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Israel. Once you drive in Italy you will understand why.

Buon Viaggio,

Italy is different than other countries! You do need more insurance, required. Book through AutoEurope to get the best deals for Italy with the high insurance requirements. There is no comparison.
One scrape of the car sides driving down a narrow space is all it takes. You will just drop it off at car rental agency at the end, no issues.

We’ve been able to get great prices through AutoEurope with zero deductable. And if the rate goes down, you can modify your booking and get a refund for the difference.

Last month we booked a 2 week rental, for September, pickup in Stresa, Italy for $335.00. The 10 day rate was $300, so we just booked two weeks. Zero deductable.
A couple days ago, I rechecked, and now the 10 day rate is $175,00. So modified the booking, and will receive a credit for the difference shortly.

Same thing happened back in March. 5 day rental at Lilan airport was original $175, zero deductable. Rate dropped the $75 for same car, same coverage and dates.