mikster

Hello all...I am renting a car from Hertz in Sardinia next month. Does anyone know what "extras" I am required to take on the rental. This is always a source of confusion for us. I will check with American Express but I believe that if you pay with American Express you are covered and do not have to take the collision damage waiver. Does that sound right?

Thanks.

nytraveler

Checek with AmEx - there are some countries in which they do not provide car insurance coverage - and it may vary by type of card (gold, platinum, black etc).

ira

Hi M,

Italy requires CDW.

Amex doesn't cover you for Italy.

Have you checked the rates at www.kemwel.com?

charnees

If you have travel insurance that may cover the CDW. It did for us.

mikster

Thanks very much. I will look into all of your suggestions. Ira, I assume you have used and been satisfied with Kemwel? I've never heard of them. They are not an actual car rental company but sort of wholesale broker? I just booked with them so thank you. Their website says their price is all inclusive and I will be getting my car from Hertz in Olbia, Sardinia airport. I am just a tad nervous as I have never heard of them. What was your experience.

ekscrunchy

I have used them in Europe (several times in France) and they are fine. They are a broker with a connection to AutoEurope. I will be using them again in Italy next month; their price was a bit less than Autoeurope's.

Waldo

To Mikster-I have rented from Hertz at the Olbia airport many times (I regularly go to Golfo Aranci). Gorgeous new, little, beautiful airport. I have never had the slightest problem. My Visa supplies me with CDW coverage, and there has never been any question regarding this coverage. As a matter of fact, someone once put a little dent in the Fiat I rented, and Visa took complete care of the incident. I had to fill out a polce report, and the only thing I heard following that was the copy that the claim was paid in full by Hertz.

ira

Hi M,

Kemwel is very reputable.

You will note on your contract that there is a 24/7 help desk.

This is the www.autoeurope.com help desk. They are even more reputable.

You will get the same car through Hertz, but at a lower rate and with the backup of AE.

You will need an International Driver's Permit for Italy.

See www.aaa.com and enter "idp" in the search box.

Enjoy your visit.

yestravel

We used Kemwell in Italy this Spring and had no problems with them. We booked several months in advance and when the rate went down, they lowered our rate. They were a bit lower-priced the Auto Europe with whom they have some affiliation. My Am Ex card did not cover insurance in Italy, but my Visa did.

ekscrunchy

Sorry to throw cold water on the issue, but the "help desks" are not always very helpful. If something goes wrong with your car you will be at the mercy of the repair service used by the local agency where you pick up the car. This is true of both Kemwell and Autoeurope.

Nevertheless, I usually use one or the other of these brokers and have always been pleased with their services. As I wrote above, I will use Kemwell again next month in Italy.

mikster

Thanks very much for all of the great feedback. I will use them.

ekscrunchy

Please let us know how the trip turns out..there are so few reports about Sardinia here... Have fun!

mikster

I will do that...thanks!