Car hire in Italy

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,445
Booked to go back to our old SM stomping ground in Tuscany at the end of Aug (COVID permitting), but this time I won't have the luxury of the QP waiting for me, so will need to hire a car from the airport for a week.
I always feel I'm being ripped off with car hire and insurance so would welcome top tips from the collective on getting a reasonable car for 5 for a week from Pisa airport.
TIA
Eb
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
First thing you should do is get “excess insurance “ before you go.......
Cant recommend car hire firm as we always get the cheapest available at the time but I find booking in advance is always cheaper.
On the Amalfi coast we always hire a classic Italian for a day or so.
 
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sionie1

Member
Messages
1,310
I’ve always used Autoeurope to compare prices upfront, then checked the main sites for the companies I’ve chosen. The previous 3 trips europcar have worked out the cheapest and in both Pisa and Perugia we haven’t had any complaints. Just check the car over as an Italians version of damage is often very different to mine. Last time the oil light was on in our Alfa and the chap sauntered over and said, it’s ok, they all do that sir.... take out excess insurance as suggested here in the uk..
 

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,445
Thanks. This has been a very stressful day! The horror stories that people have described with hiring cars from Pisa airport leave me wishing I could ferry the QP out there to meet me! The other problem is becasue of Covid, half the companies shut up shop at 6pm and our flight doesn't arrive until 7. Anyway booked with Avis. I'm sure it's going to be horrific picking the car up! Fewer companies and everyone picking up a car... None of the supermarkets will be open by the time we eventually pick up our car either.. Remind me why I'm doing this?

Eb
 

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
when you get to the car take a LOT of pictures and a walk round video

when I hired from bergamo I couldn't believe the state of it , every corner was scuffed, both sides had scrapes almost the full length of the car, nobody came out to check it just a condition report with random Xs all over it.

I went back in, have you seen the state of this

Yes yes is OK ( waving hands) just video it before you leave then when you come back

I was fully expecting to get shafted but never heard anything , I suppose the advantage of getting one pre damaged is you're not as worried about it
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,075
when you get to the car take a LOT of pictures and a walk round video

when I hired from bergamo I couldn't believe the state of it , every corner was scuffed, both sides had scrapes almost the full length of the car, nobody came out to check it just a condition report with random Xs all over it.

I went back in, have you seen the state of this

Yes yes is OK ( waving hands) just video it before you leave then when you come back

I was fully expecting to get shafted but never heard anything , I suppose the advantage of getting one pre damaged is you're not as worried about it

My mate was over at Mugello with Pirelli and hired a Punto. Came back to it one day to find the whole side had been caved in. When he took it back to the airport the girl walked round it said ok and took the keys. No excess charge, nothing. Guess it’s expected in Italy.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
My last car hire in Italy through Avis was a joke.
We where staying at Lake Garda and on the first day got a puncture, and needed to use the space saver.
The following morning a garage mechanic turned up, couldn't speak English, but basically 'follow me'. For the next 4 hours spent following him from garage to garage who didn't have a suitable tyre.
Ended up at Verona airport where they swopped the car.
Was totally unprepared as thought was just going to the local tyre depot for an hour, and ended up in Verona. I said to them how was I expected to find my way back to Lake Garda, no sat nav or anything in the car or map book, and they just shrugged their shoulders!
Used my phone of course and got back late afternoon, wiped out a whole day of the holiday.
On return of the car to Bergamo Airport got charged for the cost of the tyre...but could not give me a receipt.
Back home spent a month with Avis requesting a receipt so I could claim on my own excess car insurance policy.
Eventually they admitted they couldn't get a receipt out of Italy, so they refunded me the cost of the tyre.
After that, would rather drive to Italy in my own car rather than fly and hire.