CDW included, add super CDW (SCDW) at $60/day, but what else?

Check with your automobile insurer in Minnesota. We have Geico in NH and they say I'm covered in Italy. Also double check your credit card coverage, when I looked recently, Ireland was excluded but Italy was covered.

Have you ever driven in Italy before?
Or witnessed others driving in Italy?

Don't forget your IDPs and the ZTLs.

Try Kemwel - you can go online, but you can also call and they will explain every possible option. We used them before and many of their quotes include Theft and CDW with zero deductibles. Booking right now for Pisa and with all the insurances so far they are the best price and it looks like one of the rental options is with Europcar. In the past they have also price matched other agencies.

I'll reconsider my auto policy.
Yep, getting IDP and avoiding ZTLs
Haven't driven in Italy before, but I've read a lot about it: hence the desire for complete coverage.
I'll check out kemwel. Thanks!

peg

peg,

You may find it helpful to download the car rental guide from Gemut. I believe they have a U.S. toll-free number so you could also give them a call (I've heard that they're very helpful and knowledgeable).

Regarding Italy their guide states "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."

Happy travels!

Peg, after doing quite a bit of research on companies, rates, insurance, etc., last month I had a short-term rental in Palermo with Sixt. They seemed to offer the best rate, and provided me a brand new Fiat Punto (10 km on it). While my VISA card told me they would provide secondary insurance in Italy, and gave me a letter to that effect, in the end I decided to get the zero deductible Damage and Theft coverage from Sixt at an extra cost of 21 euros per day, for two reasons: (1) I wanted to avoid any incentive for the local staff to to find nicks or other problems that did not really happen while I had the car; and (2) if there was a problem or claim, real or concocted, I knew that I would be on the hook, and then would have to make a claim for reimbursement from my credit card coverage. I did not know what documentation they might need, such as a police report, which I would likely not have unless a major accident occurred. In the end, I had no incidents at all. "I just turned the car in and that was the end of it."

Larry: that's what I'm thinking too....
Ken: I'll check it out. Maybe it'll help define some of options offered.

thanks for your help.

Peg