Originally Posted by
guv1976
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7130e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)
According to my Visa Signature guide to benefits, dated January 1, 2006, car rentals in Italy ARE covered. (That is, Italy is not listed as an excluded country.) But I'd suggest you call the Visa benefits line at 800-356-8955 to confirm that things have not changed. Also, the credit card does not provide third-party liability coverage, so you might want to purchase that from the rental company, if it is available in Italy.
I picked up a car from a Hertz licensee in Sorrento Italy last month. My company rate for the 4 day rental was very cheap. The taxes and mandatory insurance were 75% of the total. Out of 111.50 EUR, 37.20 was Personal Accident Insurance/Personal Effect Coverage and 24.80 for Theft Protection.
I used a VISA Signature and the agent asked me more than once if I was sure I had collision coverage with the card. She obviously knew that many cards do not cover Italy, but she did not try to push me into CDW. The rental agreement had no box to accept any other liability insurance.
There was also a small box in the lower right that needed an x if I didn't agree to letting them convert the rental charges to the 'currency of my card'.