Rome Airport Car Rental

Dunno, but I've used Sixt for my last 2 rentals in Europe, plus a couple in the US where they operate and the prices and service were very good.

You got a good deal, reliable company.

Of all the popular European countries, only Italy and Ireland have mandatory rental company CDW insurance required. It's a governmental thing. I've found the Italian CDW charges cheaper than elsewhere which indicates they are limited to what CDW charges can be.
Before we went on our last trip, I pulled my personal insurance policy and the list of terms and conditions on my Capital One credit card. Right there were the exclusions for Italy and Ireland--in black and white.
Let me also warn you about a secondary insurance that most companies place on the rental contract without asking you. It is theft insurance on the contents of the car--suitcases, etc. And that's a rip off since most individuals' homeowners insurance or renter's insurance will pay for lost or stolen personal belongings. You can turn down/exclude theft insurance when you arrive.
Many years ago, I worked closely with rental car companies managing their accounts for my company. I know how they operate. And my experience with Sixt in Ireland was not very good. They charged me out the nose for CDW after quoting a very low base rental rate. I still use Hertz Gold Club using my old company's fleet account number with the lowest rates possible. I always join a car rental company's frequent renter program to get the best rates available. And I comparison shop with AutoEurope.com.
I avoid picking up rental cars in airports because they will always have carrying charges and/or taxes added that you won't pay in center city locations. And when I come into airports, I usually won't be needing the car for 3-4 days when I hit the road.

Personally, and after having traveled extensively in Italy since 1980, I would purchase the 0 deductible for the added peace of mind. It would be less of a hassle if you had an accident. As I mentioned before, the peace of mind is worth the price.

Make sure you have an International Driving Permit from AAA in case of an accident. You do not need it to rent, but if you are stopped for any reason you will need it.

As for picking up at FCO you will pay a surcharge for this procedure. However, this idea will depend on your itinerary. We've picked up at FCO and in Roma, but it always depended on our schedule.

Lastly, we always rent through Autoeurope and will continue to do so. They've always handled any incident to my satisfaction.

Buon viaggio,

Thank you, all. It most convenient to rent at the airport since I will be traveling with luggage to bring to my daughter who is studying in Viterbo. Otherwise, I would just take the train.
I have a letter from Chase showing my coverage so I guess I will take my chances. It is such a considerable price difference. If I get to the counter and they tell me I need to buy coverage I will look for another deal. It won't be any worse than booking now with Hertz, etc. I am flexible on time and have patience. If I need more than that...well... it will be a challenge.

@ Attravel:
Check with www.AutoEurope.com and www.kemwel.com (same company now) and see if prices differ from your deal.
Check your Chase twice. Last time I tried they told me Italy is excluded because you can’t decline CDW there, by law.

Don't forget to pack an International Driver's Permit as those are compulsory in Italy. You'll also need to be vigilant to avoid the ZTL (limited traffic) zones which exist in many Italian towns (hefty fines!).