Insurance & License-Italy

If you have a licence issued in the US (or anywhere else outside Europe), if you want to drive in Italy you need an IDP (International Driving Permit) to certify your licence as valid. You need to get this before you leave home.
If you don't have one, you are technically driving without a valid licence.

You need an 'international driver permit' ( IDP) to be legal in Italy. ( Along with your valid US driver license)

IDP easy to get at AAA office

Need more details about the vendor and 'insurance' you are looking at to offer relevant comments.

Definitely need to get an IDP - you may find yourself being unable to rent a car without one.

Yes, you do need the IDP. FWIW, it's a document that serves to translate the info on your US drivers license into the local language. But your US license is worthless without it. We had to show our IDPs and US licenses this past May at the rental counter in order to rent a car. AAA does them (they'll take your photo). They cost us $33 each.

Ditto what Michael said. I had to show both my AZDL and IDP when picking up the car at Hertz/Naples. I don't know who you are renting from but I used AutoEurope/Hertz and got zero-deductible insurance. To me it was money well spent for peace of mind.

Both Italy and Ireland car rental customers are required to purchase CDW coverage. I didn't find Ireland's CDW charges to be very reasonable when we were there last year. Italy's CDW is priced much cheaper which indicates the government has something to do with pricing.
Beware that the rental company may try to charge you for personal belongs insurance which covers your luggage if stolen--not really needed.
The driver's license issue has been discussed above.

Pretty sure our AAA charges $15 ( not $50 as posted above)
You do not need to be a member
AAA will do passport photos for free if you are a member otherwise there is a small charge. Or get photos elsewhere and bring with you to AAA office

Our AAA charges $20 for an IDP

RE: insurance. Many of us here on the forum recommend AutoEurope for car rentals. Being a consolidator they offer rentals with different insurance coverages available from a number of rental companies. My personal choice is to opt for $0 deductible from either Hertz or Europcar. The rates with insurance through AutoEurope are quite a bit cheaper than contracting with the rental company. I’ve had damage claims through both companies and never had a problem with either claim. One advantage of a Hertz rental is that AutoEurope charges an administrative fee of about €70 if you file a claim; Hertz does not.

RE: insurance. Many of us here on the forum recommend AutoEurope for car rentals. - Thanks, this is the direction we went, with the zero deductible insurance included. Hertz Station Wagon - $315 with the zero deductible insurance for 8 days - Seems like a pretty good deal to me.

There is an "additional driver" option for 11.89 Euro/day we would pay at the airport or about $100 for the 8 days. We will be having 2 drivers. Is there much of a risk if we forgo paying this and use another driver? We'll make sure we both have the IDP on our persons.

There is an "additional driver" option for 11.89 Euro/day we would pay at the airport or about $100 for the 8 days. We will be having 2 drivers. Is there much of a risk if we forgo paying this and use another driver? We'll make sure we both have the IDP on our persons.

Well, if anything happens while the 'unregistered' driver is driving, all coverage is voided. You willing to be responsible for 1000s of euro in expense to save $100? YOU as the renter will be responsible for the damages.

Think and choose wisely

The risk would be that 2nd driver is not covered
Not a risk I’d be willing to take
Pay the additional cost and consider it a $100 peace of mind fee

Say no more - probably would have reached that decision anyway. Makes no sense to have insurance if you are violating terms of the insurance agreement. In the scheme of things, the extra driver fee is a pittance to the cost of the trip.

We did zero deductible and were so glad we did. When we returned the car, they discovered a long scratch low on the passenger side, then I realized when it must have happened. But because we bought the "platinum" coverage, it didn't cost us a penny.