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Car hire FCO — excess insurance worth it?

  • 16-03-2026 12:26PM
    #1
    eatandrun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 ✭


    Not sure if this is the correct place, finding it tough to search and find an appropriate place but the top result for car rental points to this area…

    Renting a car at Rome FCO for 3 days shortly. Been comparing Sixt and a smaller Italian company called Noleggiare (just for reference, I have only ever rented 1 car before for a short journey across Ireland when my car wasn't an option!)

    Noleggiare comes in at €63 base, Sixt at €118 with basic cover included.

    To get to zero deductible through the rental companies themselves it's €204 with Noleggiare or €207 with Sixt — so similar enough at that level I guess?

    But I've seen CarHireExcess who do a single trip policy for like €15 (might be less) which covers the deductible if you have to pay it. So Noleggiare at €63 plus €15 for the third party policy comes to €78 all in for effectively zero exposure vs €200+ going through the rental company directly.

    Has anyone used Noleggiare at FCO (or in general)? And has anyone had to actually claim on CarHireExcess.ie — is it painless or is there a load of back and forth?

    Or should I just front up and go with the full cover from Sixt and forget about it given its Italy..

    Although Enterprise is like 190 with their don't worry cover (but is a manual car not automatic - not sure how big a deal that is..) now I look at it..



Comments

  • #2
    eatandrun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 ✭eatandrun


    Enterprise looks like it takes debit cards too so I might just go with them - unless anybody has any good tips I am missing for car hire, specifically in Italy..



  • #3
    zg3409
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 7,494 ✭✭✭zg3409


    Definitely avoid no name car hire in Italy. They will invent alloy damage and attempt to get money from you.

    I like car hire excess Ireland, cheap, fast, but I never had a claim. I expect it would be hassle, but it would probably be hassle either way if you damage a hire car. As usual take hundreds of photos before driving off and videos etc. I find having destination pre-programned into phone and having a USB to type c and a type c to type c and a windscreen phone holder helps depending on the car. I also preprogram exact hotel and mainly motorway routes. Italy is particularly bad for other drivers.



  • #4
    Nigzcurran
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 4,125 ✭✭✭Nigzcurran


    Just take out the car hires own insurance and you can hand the car back in bits with zero issues. It costs a few quid extra but is worth it for the peace of mind. Also try get an automatic if your not familiar with left hand drive

    Time is contagious, everybody's getting old.



  • #5
    rubberdungeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭rubberdungeon


    https://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/travelling-motor-vehicles/motor-vehicles/traffic-fines-in-restricted-areas-in-italy.html

    If you're planning to travel to an Italian city by car, be careful!

    Around 300 towns and cities in Italy have a "Zona a traffico limitato" or limited traffic zone (ZTL).

    Driving in these zones without authorisation can cost you. Here's an explanation of what a ZTL is and the risks involved.



  • #6
    eatandrun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 ✭eatandrun


    Thanks all, think I might eat the cost and go full cover - I might trial alternative options in another country another time. Any time I seem mention renting a car to people in person they wince a bit when I mention Italy..

    Thanks for the ZTL info, I am travelling for a trail run which are usually in pretty isolated areas so I think the area we are saying will be okay but I appreciate it as planning to go back to Italy during the summer for holiday.



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  • #7
    mgbgt1978
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,234 ✭✭✭mgbgt1978


    I use CarHireExcess at least 3 or 4 times a year. The only time I needed to use them was in Naples Airport in July 2024. There were 2 areas of damage on the Car. One was definitely my fault (a gouged Alloy, which was only charged at €65), the other was a fairly large dent at the rear of the R/H back door. As the car was a very dark Navy colour with multiple contours this damage was hard to spot and was possibly (probably) on the Car at Pick-up.
    The excess came to about €800 which I paid. The reimbursement was straightforward. I had rented from Avis and they provided all the documents and photos needed. The guy at the drop-off was fairly sound and showed me each piece of info required by CarHireExcess. It only took a couple of days to sort out when I returned Home. All done online.
    As for renting off-site (with a company such as nolleggiare), occasionally these companies won't have a Car for you when arrive, they are usually fairly infamous for charging for the same damage with every hire, etc. But, myself (and many others I know) have used a lot of these companies without any issues.
    You don't give your dates (or Car Class prefferred) but Argus Care hire are showing a Fiat Panda for €24 from 28/03 to 31/03 with unlimited mileage.



  • #8
    eatandrun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 ✭eatandrun


    Apologies, it's this Friday to late Sunday. So 10am pickup Friday and dropping off at 9/10pm on the Sunday night. Will have a look at that company too as I still haven't booked anything yet - but yeah panda is what I'm thinking, want the smallest thing I can get!



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