Need Help in Car Rental and Insurance Coverage in Italy – Very Confused

ying,

According to the car rental guide published by Gemut.com.....

"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 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."

You might want to give them a call and confirm the information. They will probably be able to answer your other questions also.

Some other caveats to be aware of....

It's important to note that for driving in Italy, each driver listed on the rental form 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 may be provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/transportation-driving/ for more information on I.D.P's and driving in Italy.

You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato (limited traffic) areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities especially Florence, which is almost saturated with automated ZTL cameras. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket, which you won't know about until several months after you return home! This website provides more information - http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/traffic_cameras_speeding.htm

There's also the issue of parking tickets, high fuel costs, tolls and automated speed cameras including the devious Traffic Tutor system which measures not only instantaneous speed but also average between two points. Violate either or both parameter and expensive tickets will follow. A GPS along with a good Map would also be prudent.

As far as I know you cannot decline CDW and theft coverage from the rental company in Italy, therefore if declining coverage is the condition required to obtain coverage from the credit card, you may not be able to do so.

I use AutoEurope every year and these are my answers to your questions.
1. In my experience rental price with AutoEurope doesn’t change with time, so you can book now or later. Generally I purchase between a month and two months ahead, whenever I remember to do it. There is generally a major jump in price if you pick up after July 1, so if you postpone your trip to around that time, make sure you pick it up before June 30.
2. I don’t rent automatics so I generally pay less. However $40 Day seems about right for your selection.
3. I always choose the no deductible. The deductible is large and for a little extra you have peace of mind. Once you filter the no deductible option, check the choices again. Once you select that, Europcar is often cheaper than Hertz.
4. www.autoeurope.com and www.kemwel.com are the best. Both are part of the same company and work the same way. Check prices with both. At different dates their prices differ although they are the same company.
5. The closest to the attraction is Borgo Ognissanti. However venturing into the city center is unnerving to many Mericans. If you select that, I’ll give directions later.
I didn’t know that Hertz has a location on Via Ambrosoli. That is very close to where I grew up, but I only thought they had a bunch of car dealerships there. If there is Hertz (they must have opened an office this year), that is a great return location coming from the Firenze Sud A1 freeway exit. I always wondered why car companies didn’t have a car rental center there for Florence. It would be perfect for the Chianti and also for the A1 going south.
Via del Sansovino is also good coming from the Firenze Scandicci exit.
Do you know where you will be staying before driving to Florence? I might give you more precise suggestions.

I just checked the Hertz website. The location on Via Ambrosoli is brand new and will start operations on Monday December 4, 2017. It is probably the best choice for those who want to avoid any city driving. Exit the A1 freeway at FIRENZE SUD then, after paying toll, continue straight on the Marco Polo expressway till the end of the expressway at the Varlungo bridge. Hertz is to the right at the street light where all the car Dealerships are. From there ask the agent to call a taxi to take you to your hotel. The city center is closed to non resident traffic, therefore don’t attempt to drive to the hotel first. Return your car, then take the taxi to the hotel.

Thank you all so much for the great suggestion. This is exactly what I am looking for. So now I know which location to return my rental car to in Florence. I may just pick the no deductible option from AutoEurope for peace of mind (for extra $10/day). Their price was $40 cheaper for 4 day rental at AutoEurope yesterday than today.

We plan to spend 3-4 nights in one Tuscany location and 3-4 nights in Florence. We are a family of 4 with two adult children. If you have any suggestion for accommodations in Tuscany and Florence I would really appreciate it.

For another trip to Italy, be aware car rentals are less expensive in other countries like France. We have rented in Nice for an Italian vacation.

Though it’s nice to save money, the cost of full coverage auto insurance is relatively inexpensive in comparison to your total trip cost. To me saving a few euros is inconsequential to the lack of stress it provides.

I rent through AutoEurope exclusively because of their great prices and excellent customer service. If you were to rent a vehicle now, check the current rental rates at least monthly. If the rate goes down, AutoEurope will refund the difference. I’m about to pick up a car Monday morning in Naples. When I first reserved the vehicle, the rental was $237. It then dropped to $187 and now $161.

I rent from Hertz in all European countries and if you book in the US Hertz location they will provide you with the right insurance for Italy.If you have American Express you can get $100,000 of insurance for $17.95 for up to 42 days of car rental and that eliminates all of your worries in Italy,it has worked well for me.I have returned in Florence and the new location that is opening will be a lot easier.
Mike

The reply above, about using the AMEX insurance is incorrect. Italy is one of the countries specifically excluded from the coverage provided by the AMEX card and from the AMEX Premium Rental Car insurance.

One of the advantages of zero deductible insurance is that it removes any incentive for agency staff to find a nitpicky problem with the car, whether real or imaginary. Even more important if you drop off the car when no staff is there to check the car in, which I generally try to avoid anyway.