returning rental car when the office is closed

You are responsible for the car until it's checked in so if there is any damage you'll be responsible. Be sure the coverage you get is enough for any damage. Are you purchasing the CDW at the desk or through a third party vendor? The reason I ask is because if it's through a third party vendor and there is any damage to the car you will be responsible and your credit card will be charged. At that point you will need to go through your insurance to get reimbursed. If you buy from the counter then you shouldn't have any issues. I always ask the agent which insurance to get based on the areas I'll be driving in. Last summer we didn't get their highest coverage because we were going to be in an area where tire damage wasn't usually an issue. The agent was very helpful in pointing out that we could purchase the next level down based off of where we would be staying and visiting. It saved us some money and he was correct, no tire damage. We did get side swiped in a parking lot but that was covered by the insurance he suggested we buy.

Donna

I'm glad you asked this question, because I will be doing the same thing next month. I'm guessing if you get the $0 deductible insurance you should be okay. I'm renting my car through Auto Europe and chose that option. I would also suggest taking pictures of the car from every angle upon your return.

With the additional insurance, you really shouldn't have a problem. The Hertz location in Siena is on Viale Sardegna near the RR station. I believe the rental return is in the garage underneath the building. Compared to US offices, they have very restrictive hours. You might want to call them to determine the best way to return your rental.

If you're buying the extra insurances through the rental company you will have no issues. If you are using a third party vendor for the extra insurances they will put a huge hold on your credit card to cover any damage that may occur. This could be as much as 15,000 euros, depending on the car. If you buy directly through the rental company they will charge you at the time of rental and not put the hold on your card. It's very important to know which option you've chosen so that you can be sure to have the extra space on your card if needed. If you need it and don't have it they won't allow the rental.

Donna

I should have provided that information, sorry: we purchased the super CDW through Hertz. Although it adds expense it's worth the peace of mind for us. Actually the way car rental insurance appears to work in Italy, since some insurance is mandatory through the rental agency, you cannot then insure the rental through another source. For example we called Chase Sapphire and since the car is insured through Hertz we cannot use the Chase credit card car rental coverage as secondary insurance for the rental. I couldn't find any source that would act as secondary insurance, including trip insurance agencies.
Can you see any downside to dropping off the car while the agency is closed? BTW thanks Philip, giving them a call is a good idea.

Where are you coming from and going to? You might see if there's another city that has one open later and just take the train to Siena. I hesitate leaving a car after hours, even with insurance.. it's just a lot harder to deal with stuff once you get back home.

take a bunch of time stamped photos if you must leave the vehicle without an agent present.

It won't matter if she takes photos or not. She is responsible for the car until an agent checks it in. If someone got into the garage and crashed into the car she would be responsible. She has insurance so she should be fine but if she didn't and this happened she would be responsible for the damages because the car was still in her care.

To the OP, be sure to ask if this is zero deductible or not. If it isn't it should only be a few euros more to get it.

Donna

Make sure to keep a receipt when you fill up the gas tank. We were charged for not filling it up, when in fact we did, but we paid cash and did not keep the receipt. Take pictures of the interior/exterior just so you have proof how you returned it.

If returning in such a manner getting the zero deductible from the rental company will be worth every penny as you will have no way to dispute any damage they report if you just leave the car and not have it checked in by an employee.

I did want to point out the below statement is partially incorrect, the point made without the dollar figure is very true though.

you're buying the extra insurances through the rental company you will have no issues. If you are using a third party vendor for the extra insurances they will put a huge hold on your credit card to cover any damage that may occur. This could be as much as 15,000 euros, depending on the car. If you buy directly through the rental company they will charge you at the time of rental
and not put the hold on your card.

This is only partially true, since basic coverage in Italy is mandatory and included in all rentals you liability will be much less than 15,000 euros. Depending on the car and the contract it could be between 500 - 1200 euros which is much different

The deductible is based on the type of car the person rents. If they rent a very expensive car the deductible is very high. It also depends on the company being used. Some companies hold more than others, it's in their terms and conditions.

Donna

This is great feedback. The reason we're taking super CDW on the car is to aggressively limit liability, but also to minimize any aggravation. After considering the scenarios above, we'll probably modify our schedule so we can drop off the car when the agency is open.