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Mon 31 Jul 2023 09:30

Any - Car Hire - Italy - MGspannerman

Good Morning,

We are planning a trip of around three weeks to Southern Italy this autumn, flying into and out of Naples. We will need a car suitable for four adults with some luggage, we tend to travel light. There will be two drivers, our friends are Canadian and hence will do much of the driving on the "wrong" side of the road, I will be first reserve and relief driver.

I am a little out of touch with who to use and would welcome any advice or comments. Thanks in advance.

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Mon 31 Jul 2023 09:50

Any - Car Hire - Italy - elekie&a/c doctor

Car rental in Italy always seems to be more problematic than other countries. I’ve done it many times . Stick with one of the big companies, my preference is Avis . Usually inefficient check in desks means long waits. Check out the car thoroughly. Inside , outside , wheels including spare and first aid kit and triangle. Take a good long video . Absolutely imperative to take out your own comprehensive insurance beforehand.

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Mon 31 Jul 2023 22:49

Any - Car Hire - Italy - MGspannerman

Many thanks, wise words indeed. I have rented in Northern Europe but never Italy. Much appreciated

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Tue 1 Aug 2023 07:03

Any - Car Hire - Italy - groaver

Car rental in Italy always seems to be more problematic than other countries. I’ve done it many times . Stick with one of the big companies, my preference is Avis . Usually inefficient check in desks means long waits. Check out the car thoroughly. Inside , outside , wheels including spare and first aid kit and triangle. Take a good long video . Absolutely imperative to take out your own comprehensive insurance beforehand.

I would second all of that. We used Budget in June in northern Italy.

Our Aygo had "more hits than the Beatles" when we picked it up despite being around 24 months old with 45,000 kilometers on it.

Lots of photos and videos taken at the start.

No issues at drop off though despite being a different airport.

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Tue 1 Aug 2023 07:13

Any - Car Hire - Italy - Ian D

I always take out insurance with Questor insurance to save all the ridiculous pricey add ons that the rental companies sell you (excess insurance etc), this way it is much cheaper

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Tue 1 Aug 2023 07:43

Any - Car Hire - Italy - daveyjp

I've used Zest a number of times. UK based with all insurances included.

However having just done a quick quote for three weeks for a mid size car make sure you are sat down for the price reveal.

The only part of Italy I've driven is Sardinia. Not as crazy for driving as other areas of the country, (a public bus along the Amalfi coast from Sorrento to Amalfi is far better value than Alton Towers!) however there were manned police speed checks everywhere.

Edited by daveyjp on 01/08/2023 at 08:25

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Tue 1 Aug 2023 11:29

Any - Car Hire - Italy - Archie35

I quite often use www.autoeurope.eu/ for bookings (and did so recently for one in northern Italy). There are other comparison sites (I've used this one also www.arguscarhire.com/#/searchcars) but I generally trust autoeurope.

As others said, stick then to the better known brands rather than some local company you've never heard of, and definitely take out car hire excess insurance separately - I used this one last time, but didn't have to make a claim so have never tested it in anger www.chewinsurance.com/

If none of you are used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road, stick some white or brightly coloured arrows on the windscreen, close to your line of vision, pointing to the right - they are invaluable when you have that sudden panic moment of "which side am I meant to be on" (which most often happens when you are at a quiet junction, with no other cars to naturally guide you in the right direction).

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Wed 2 Aug 2023 10:40

Any - Car Hire - Italy - Steveieb

I’ve used the Which recommended broker Zest many times who can add full insurance at a very competitive rate.

They are there for you 24 hours a day to sort out the inevitable problems. I had a fuelling cost disagreement in Cyprus and one phone call to Zest and it was sorted in minutes.

They are excellent.

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Thu 3 Aug 2023 08:42

Any - Car Hire - Italy - MGspannerman

Thanks all, I am setting work on it right now. Zest looks particularly interesting and points about using established providers and insurance are well noted.

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