I see for Italy and Ireland super CDW seems to be the way to go. I will be driving in Germany, Luxembourg and France. What insurance coverage do you recommend ? Also, will the rental car company provide me with everything I need for traveling in these countries ? I've read about needing a breathalyzer in France. Stuff like that I would like to know.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
You might want to check with your personal automobile insurance company to see if they cover you in Germany, Luxembourg and France. Many "gold" and "platinum" charge cards also provide secondary collision/comprehensive insurance when the rental is charged on their cards. I have seen some of the charge cards exclude Italy, as there seems to be a theft problem there.
FYI: CDW is mandatory on rental car contracts that are executed in Italy, however the rates charged are not as expensive as that in the U.S. or in other places I've traveled. I assume the Italian government is holding the cost down.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Cars are road-worth for the country you rent them in (they have national vignettes if applicable, high-visibility vest if applicable etc). Super CDW gives more peace of mind, though it still doesn't include damage to tires and broken windows. You can buy for some small fee independent supplemental insurance for that. However it does cover the dreaded small scratches that are sometimes source of aggravation and a bitter taste at the end of the trip.