Car hire in Italy

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
We're looking to hire a car for our trip to Italy next week and it's proving to be an absolute nightmare.
I've checked reviews for all the car hire companies and there doesn't appear to be a good thing to say about any of them, lots of tales of people being ripped off.
Has anyone got a company they have used overseas and had no problems with?
Any tips about taking out extra insurance, deposits etc?
 

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
If you stick with one of the major companies and avoid the "Honest Luigi's" types you should be ok. Would still advise taking photographs of the vehicle from several angles and noting any scratches or marks and have the local rep verify same.
 

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
If you stick with one of the major companies and avoid the "Honest Luigi's" types you should be ok. Would still advise taking photographs of the vehicle from several angles and noting any scratches or marks and have the local rep verify same.
Even the big names have terrible reviews. We're planning on taking a video of the car before and after.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
If you stick with one of the major companies and avoid the "Honest Luigi's" types you should be ok. Would still advise taking photographs of the vehicle from several angles and noting any scratches or marks and have the local rep verify same.
If ever I have the misfortune to hire a car, I use my smartphone to take a quick movie of the car all over before I accept it and as I'm handing it back. Has saved a bit of agro in the past.
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
We had a car in Italy last November from Hertz I think. They weren't too bad, but we took out the excess waiver insurance separately which was about £2.
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
Also video the person showing you around the car pointing out any damage. They've got no argument then if you have them on video.

It's also useful if there are unusual functions/gadgets on the car if you have something to look back at if you need to.

I did this for the camper van I hired in Ireland in October and it proved invaluable in trying to get gadgets working.
 

Chillybean

Well-Known Forumite
Prefer to use the main agents in particular to Eurocar, book and pay in the UK so if there's any grief at least you can deal with it locally. Good idea about the video, took my motor in for a service last week and they did the same, obviously covering their arses as they stalled on the one skuff mark! Get the extra insurance the Italians only learn't to drive left hand drive back on the 1920's or so my Grandad told me after driving a tank through there in the 40's.
 
Top