Car rental Bergamo, Italy

newwan

Hi
I want to rent a car in bergamo next month for the weekend. Last time i tried to rent a car they took 1300euro off my credit card as deposit and then another 300euro or something because i have a visa debit.

Can anyone advise me how to book a car rental without any of this crap happening? Please and thank you

mikeecho

newwan wrote: »

Hi
I want to rent a car in bergamo next month for the weekend. Last time i tried to rent a car they took 1300euro off my credit card as deposit and then another 300euro or something because i have a visa debit.

Can anyone advise me how to book a car rental without any of this crap happening? Please and thank you

Use a Credit Card

Carbon125

newwan wrote: »

Hi
I want to rent a car in bergamo next month for the weekend. Last time i tried to rent a car they took 1300euro off my credit card as deposit and then another 300euro or something because i have a visa debit.

Can anyone advise me how to book a car rental without any of this crap happening? Please and thank you

This sounds like you would have had an excess of 1600 to pay in case of an accident. That's an unusually high amount.

Take out independent car hire excess insurance, it costs a tiny fraction of what the car rental company would charge you for fully comprehensive cover. You may still be asked for a credit card based deposit though.

One independent car hire excess insurance is https://www.icarhireinsurance.com (there are more out there).

Del2005

Carbon125 wrote: »

This sounds like you would have had an excess of 1600 to pay in case of an accident. That's an unusually high amount.

Take out independent car hire excess insurance, it costs a tiny fraction of what the car rental company would charge you for fully comprehensive cover. You may still be asked for a credit card based deposit though.

One independent car hire excess insurance is https://www.icarhireinsurance.com (there are more out there).

That's not going to help the OP when they take 1600 off their debit card, with a credit card they block 1600 off your credit with a debit card they take it off your account balance and refund later. Some companies will reduce the amount that they take if you take out full insurance from the hire company. The insurance you have will reimburse you if the hire company charges you for damages.

BailMeOut

you can do what we all try to avoid and just get excess insurance from the rental company. Your daily rate will increase by at least €10-€20 per day but they will not put the €1600 hold on your card if you do this.

...and a number around €1600 is not unusual. I rented a car in Italy this summer and the excess hold €3000.

Carbon125

BailMeOut wrote: »

you can do what we all try to avoid and just get excess insurance from the rental company. Your daily rate will increase by at least €10-€20 per day but they will not put the €1600 hold on your card if you do this.

...and a number around €1600 is not unusual. I rented a car in Italy this summer and the excess hold €3000.

€10 to €20 a day is pure robbery and does not compare well with a rate of € 52.81 for a year (65 day continuous cover on any one rental agreement, no limit on the number of trips).

Few people seem to know that independent car hire excess insurance even exists.

BailMeOut

Carbon125 wrote: »

€10 to €20 a day is pure robbery and does not compare well with a rate of € 52.81 for a year (65 day continuous cover on any one rental agreement, no limit on the number of trips).

Few people seem to know that independent car hire excess insurance even exists.

Third party excess is talked about a lot on boards, especially on travel forums. While I agree with you and I always have third party excess it does not help the OP.

Nody

Carbon125 wrote: »

€10 to €20 a day is pure robbery and does not compare well with a rate of € 52.81 for a year (65 day continuous cover on any one rental agreement, no limit on the number of trips).

Few people seem to know that independent car hire excess insurance even exists.

And in general you also get to pay the full excess with them and then reclaim it from them afterwards; as OP is complaining about the excess being withdrawn in the first place it's not a suitable solution.

mikeecho

Nody wrote: »

And in general you also get to pay the full excess with them and then reclaim it from them afterwards; as OP is complaining about the excess being withdrawn in the first place it's not a suitable solution.

Its being withdrawn, because hes using a debit card.
If a Credit card is used, then the money is held, not actually taken.

1- Use a Credit Card
2- Get independent insurance
3- Use public transport

grogi

mikeecho wrote: »

Its being withdrawn, because hes using a debit card.

Technically it is not withdrawn. It is blocked - but because the card balance is linked with the account balance, it is seen immediately in the account as well.

When the blockage is lifted, there is no sign of it in the statement. If it was withdrawn, you'd see both: withdrawn and refund of this money.

mikeecho wrote: »

If a Credit card is used, then the money is held, not actually taken.

1- Use a Credit Card
2- Get independent insurance
3- Use public transport

Independent insurance does not reduce the blocked amount.

biko

It may differ from renter to renter. Check the usual ones and see if you can get a better deal with someone else.

newwan

My main question is how the flip do i know what theyre gonna charge me at the desk. The online price is one thing but 3 times now ive arrived at the desk and then been slapped with extra charges and no choice but to pay them...

And Nody - yes i agree. That is the main issue. I have had whatever insurancce you name but the rental company still took a feck load off me

BailMeOut

newwan wrote: »

My main question is how the flip do i know what theyre gonna charge me at the desk. The online price is one thing but 3 times now ive arrived at the desk and then been slapped with extra charges and no choice but to pay them...

And Nody - yes i agree. That is the main issue. I have had whatever insurancce you name but the rental company still took a feck load off me

Simple, you just decline everything they try sell you at the counter.

newwan

BailMeOut wrote: »

Simple, you just decline everything they try sell you at the counter.

And then i end up with no car. And they still charge me what i paid online... so i sleep in the airport?

BailMeOut

newwan wrote: »

And then i end up with no car. And they still charge me what i paid online... so i sleep in the airport?

If you are worried about that then maybe you need to pick a more reputable company. Did you read TripAdvisor reviews in the one you want to use?

I travel a lot and rent a lot of cars and anyways use Nova and never have any problems or extras at counter. Does not stop them trying to sell you all sorts of coverage but you just decline. Did a car in Italy a few weeks ago and they tried to sell me insurance for losing the keys.

newwan

Well thats the question? whats a reputable company?
i searched thru novacarhire.com and they seem to resell on from names like keddy and interrent. So who am i actually buying from and will someone along the way try screw me?

BailMeOut

newwan wrote: »

Well thats the question? whats a reputable company?
i searched thru novacarhire.com and they seem to resell on from names like keddy and interrent. So who am i actually buying from and will someone along the way try screw me?

With Nova you are prepaying everything which is why they are so cheap. They are an Irish company and I have used them for at least 12-15 years with zero issues in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, USA and here in Ireland.

edburg

When I was at Bergamo I was given 2 choices.

1. Was as said they will confirm hold an excess payment, mine was about 800. It was not taken as such it was just held/put to one side if it was needed. That 800 was unavailable for remainder of trip.

2. They will offer a no excess cover but you be paying an extra amount, think it was around 300 mark for 2 n half weeks.

Both these options were pointed out to me either online or in email confirmation.


1 thing I found when I went to collect car I was faced with Italian version of rab c nesbitt in 90's shell suit bottoms n shoes, who tried to pass car on to me with out viewing it saying there was zero marks. Both times I found damage on car he signed off as clean, so make sure you double check it.

Companies involved was a independent Online for booking but europcar when I arrived both times.

Tropheus

Was in Italy this year and last and rented in Bergamo on both occasions. Car hire in Italy is expensive and so is their collision waiver insurance. I got 3rd party waiver last year before I travelled. However, the car hire company said that they couldn't accept that and wanted to block €2k on my credit car. I was hiring a 3008. I ended up having to buy their insurance for over €300 as blocking €2k on my credit card wasn't an option.

Went Hertz this time and hired a Focus C Max. I hired for 15 days in total which came to just over €1,300. The car was €700 which was high enough, but given last year's experience, opted to buy their insurance. It was €600. I thought I'd bought the car, not rented it.

I don't think there is anyway around the credit card blocking other than buy insurance from the company you're hiring the car from.

Charles Babbage

Tropheus wrote: »

Was in Italy this year and last and rented in Bergamo on both occasions. Car hire in Italy is expensive and so is their collision waiver insurance. I got 3rd party waiver last year before I travelled. However, the car hire company said that they couldn't accept that and wanted to block 2k on my credit car. I was hiring a 3008. I ended up having to buy their insurance for over 300 as blocking 2k on my credit card wasn't an option.

Went Hertz this time and hired a Focus C Max. I hired for 15 days in total which came to just over 1,300. The car was 700 which was high enough, but given last year's experience, opted to buy their insurance. It was 600. I thought I'd bought the car, not rented it.

I don't think there is anyway around the credit card blocking other than buy insurance from the company you're hiring the car from.

Paying 600 for 1300 cover isn't good value, for the longer hire you'd be better to take the hold and get third party excess insurance if you want to.

mikeecho

In my experience, whenever I've rented a car, I've taken out their insurance, and I've gotten a substantial upgrade.
Latest was from a compact, to a 3.5Lv6.

It actually worked out cheaper than if I had rented the 3.5L without the extra insurance.


The time before that, my compact went to a mid size automatic, and I only took out windscreen insurance.

The guy behind the counter is on commission for selling the insurance, and will almost always give an upgrade if you take the insurance.

Wifey has had similar experiences, but the cost didn't matter to her as the company was paying, with the amex... But she always get upgrades as well.

newwan

thank you
ok if i rent one of these cars attached will i be charged extras at the desk?
I will try book it with a credit card

CiniO

newwan wrote: »

thank you
ok if i rent one of these cars attached will i be charged extras at the desk?
I will try book it with a credit card

Of course you will get charged a deposit.

As said above - only way not to be charged a deposit (as a form of blockage on your credit or debit card) is to pay for full cover insurance with the renter, which usually costs between €10 and €20 per day.

Del2005

newwan wrote: »

thank you
ok if i rent one of these cars attached will i be charged extras at the desk?
I will try book it with a credit card

If you book with a CC make sure that you bring it with you, sometimes they require the CC that the booking was made on.

Dord

mikeecho wrote: »

In my experience, whenever I've rented a car, I've taken out their insurance, and I've gotten a substantial upgrade.
Latest was from a compact, to a 3.5Lv6.

It actually worked out cheaper than if I had rented the 3.5L without the extra insurance.


The time before that, my compact went to a mid size automatic, and I only took out windscreen insurance.

The guy behind the counter is on commission for selling the insurance, and will almost always give an upgrade if you take the insurance.

Wifey has had similar experiences, but the cost didn't matter to her as the company was paying, with the amex... But she always get upgrades as well.

I rented from Hertz last week in Italy and paid for extra cover. The car was upgraded a few classes. Not sure if the two were connected.

Pete123456

Ryanair seem to have good deals on rentals, including places they don't fly to. I think they use axa for their add on insurance. I think it's 27 euros a day. If you click terms and conditions it will show any additional charges etc. I was able to see any surcharge or mileage clause and the car was only 3.40 with Centauro through Ryanair. You can also give the rental company a quick buzz and ask for the excess amount for the category of car. I think for a polo the excess was 1100. This will be blocked from my card unless I pay the excess (crazy money). I did get excess insurance from blue insurance for 2.99 a day.

whiterebel

We booked in Bergamo last July through Ryanair. Was advised that €1510 would be blocked on credit card. Took out excess insurance. Arrived at the Firefly (owned by Hertz) desk, where she took €1600 off the credit card. Offered me total insurance cover for €9.50 a day which was a lot better than I had expected, and would have taken if I had known. They won't give you the keys unless you have either their insurance or pay the deposit. Was told I was getting a 6 month old ex-Hertz Qubo with no damage reported. It took me 25 minutes to photograph and record every scratch, hole in the floor, broken parcel shelf, dents.......asked the guy to come out and verify it all, he just shrugged his shoulders and signed it. Possibly the worst heap of shyte it was ever my misfortune to drive. They were all over it checking it when I brought it back, until I produced the signed damage report. They didn't care then. I got the feeling they are trying to catch the ones that don't check on receipt, have it checked on arrival back, and lose the deposit because they don't have a leg to stand on.

ted1

Just back from Sicily. 2 weeks at hire fromhertz was only 250 and they operate a full to full fuel policy no messing about like Mickey Mouse places indysting on paying for a full tank and bringing it back empty.
I have a annual excess policy with axa which I got for 55 euro.

Declined their CDW and only needed a deposit of 250 in credit card.

Car was a new Ford Focus estate.

Had a similar setup in Barcelona last year but got a blue Motion Golf.

I always recommend Hertz, the other always sting you with hidden charges and High deposits

As above firefly may be owned by Hertz, but they are one to be avoided, just google reviews