Car rental insurance

You have to check your own insurance policy very carefully. Fine print is the key. The same is true for your credit car insurance coverage. Even if covered - deductables, time lags, it's a foriegn country, and translations can make using your own insurance a major hassle and expense if something goes wrong. Most people recommend purchasing the rental insurance and that is my advice.

Mary, It's VERY DOUBTFUL that your home car insurance will cover rental cars in Europe. Another point to note is that in Italy, it is COMPULSORY to accept the CDW and Theft insurance provided by the rental agency. If you haven't driven in Italy before, here are some "caveats" to be aware of: It's important to note that for driving in Italy, each driver 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 in some cases is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information on driving in Italy. You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities ( especially Florence!). EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! There's also the issue of parking tickets and the possibility of having "The Boot" applied, and high fuel costs, tolls, etc. A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW and theft insurance. In Italy, buying CDW from the rental firm is usually compulsory, so coverage provided by credit cards will not apply. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. You could also download the "Car Rental" PDF Guide from Gemut. Happy travels!

I would never rely on credit card insurance to provide protection in Europe. There have been too many horrid stories on this site and others about cc insurance not covering when someone thought it should. Second, you need a long and detailed conversation with your local agents to determine if you local insurance - auto, homeowners, and medical - covers you in Europe. Most don't. I think it is safe to save you cannot have too much car insurance in Italy. Your probability of vehicle damage is much higher than the US.

Hi Mary. There's a lot of good info from Rick Steves on this site about renting cars. Click on 'Plan Your Trip', then 'Travel Tips', then 'How to Rent a Car in Europe' Within that section, there is another link to a great section on insurance. Enjoy your trip!

It's a virtual certainty that your "home" car insurance won't cover foreign rental cars. If you're going to Italy, it's also a virtual certainty that the rental car insurance offered by your credit cards won't cover you in that country. The best, most complete coverage for Italy is the "Super CDW" (also called "excess waiver") that you buy from the rental car company itself.