We are planning to rent a car for 3-6 days from the Catania Airport. Based on experience, does anyone have any companies to stay away from, or any that you've had success with? There's so much out there about Car Rental companies ripping you off for "damages," etc. And the prices vary tremendously for the same type of vehicle. Also concerned with what additional coverage is necessary. I checked with both my credit card and car insurance and neither cover in Europe. Grazie!
Use AutoEurope, a broker based in Maine. They work with all major companies in Italy (Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Sicilybycar etc)..
They have multiple websites (check all as prices may differ)
www.autoeurope.com
www.kemwel.com
www.autoeurope.eu
Select your dates and location of pick up and drop off location. You can select also other features (transmission type etc.).
For insurance coverage select NO DEDUCTIBLE (or Refundable Excess in the .eu site).
You will have nothing to worry about, even if they find dents or scratches. Actually with that type of coverage they don’t even check.
If you don’t buy the NO DEDUCTIBLE COVERAGE option, the deductible is at least 1000€, and they try to ding you for any little scratch (maybe that a previous renter did) just to make some extra money off you. The NO DEDUCTIBLE option increases your rental cost just by a handful of $$ a day, but it’s peace of mind for you.