Rental car in Rome with someone else driving
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 794
Rental car in Rome with someone else driving
My husband and I are meeting another couple in Rome in September. We would like to rent a car for one day to drive from Rome to Giulianova. Neither of us know how to drive manual, but our friends are from Germany so they know how. In my brief searches, rental places obvious ask for proof of insurance in the US, but I doubt that would cover another driver who is not on our policy and from another country, in another country. Any ideas on the best way to handle this? The Germans are younger and don't have their own cars in Germany, so I'm assuming do not have their own coverage.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,554
At the rental agency you include your German friend in the rental contract as a second driver (they'll check the driver's licence). There is a fee for this, but I don't remember how much. As for the insurance, "home" insurance has nothing to do with a rental car in Europe. You are given a choice of what you want in addition to the minimum required by law, you pay for it, and that's it.
#3
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Piedmont, Italy; Cheshire, UK
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 389
At the rental agency you include your German friend in the rental contract as a second driver (they'll check the driver's licence). There is a fee for this, but I don't remember how much. As for the insurance, "home" insurance has nothing to do with a rental car in Europe. You are given a choice of what you want in addition to the minimum required by law, you pay for it, and that's it.
Charges vary, but are around 7 to 10 per person per day.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,088
Off Topic, but make sure you check the car out thoroughly before you drive off. Last time I rented in Rome, I noticed that my tires were bald. Not a good thing when driving along the Cinque Terre.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,554
I had thought of suggesting this to you when I answered, but then I thought you may want to have... driving lessons!
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 794
Haha, I did have an old boyfriend try to teach me about a decade ago and I could do it around the neighborhood, but never went on the freeway...definitely would not want to try again in another country. I honesty don't know that many people under my age and under that know how. Definitely don't know anyone who even has one anymore!
#8
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Piedmont, Italy; Cheshire, UK
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 389
Haha, I did have an old boyfriend try to teach me about a decade ago and I could do it around the neighborhood, but never went on the freeway...definitely would not want to try again in another country. I honesty don't know that many people under my age and under that know how. Definitely don't know anyone who even has one anymore!
#9
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,554
This is true and I also thought of suggesting it. Then I remembered that I once booked an automatic car at a city (Rome) agency for I don't remember what reason and I got a "normal" (i.e. manual ) one. They apologised and gave me a discount. Imagine poor horse glasses' face if this happened. Of course, it was high season, still...
#10
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Piedmont, Italy; Cheshire, UK
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 389
This is true and I also thought of suggesting it. Then I remembered that I once booked an automatic car at a city (Rome) agency for I don't remember what reason and I got a "normal" (i.e. manual ) one. They apologised and gave me a discount. Imagine poor horse glasses' face if this happened. Of course, it was high season, still...
The OP would be advised to reserve an automatic vehicle and telephone the day before picking it up just to make sure that they understand that she really needs one. I'd doubt that she'd have any major problems.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
i do not recall AT to be all that common in italy. about 10years ago, i rented in rome. i got an automatic although i did not request one. i was required to sign a document that i was an experienced AT driver, and could handle one.
#13
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Piedmont, Italy; Cheshire, UK
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 389
I'd suggest calling the rental company's reservations rather than doing it on line. They may well offer options that are not on the Website.