We are hiring a car for a week in Tuscany. We have travel insurance but from previous posts I realize we will have to take out extra cover. Has anyone any idea of what the cost will be and do they give you different options. Would like to have a bit of knowledge regarding this beforehand. Thank you.

Cazzie, the car rental company should have all that information on available extra insurance, or it may be mentioned on the voucher.

Just as examples, one may consider additional personal accidents and effects cover, glass and tires, damage to undercarriage, etc.; the costs of these will run at at least 20 euro/day. It also depends on what is already included in your rental contract; different car rental companies provide a variety of coverages.

Prior to our last trip to Italy (September 2007) I called the car rental company in Rome to get details and costs and based on their answers I ended up changing the contract with Auto Europe to another car rental company, which offered the additional coverages in which I was specifically interested.

Usually, these additional coverages are finalised when you pick up the car, you will be invoiced separately and the amount(s) will be charged to your credit card, normally with a fully detailed invoice mailed to you.

The rental company will quote you their price which will include all insurance required by law, along with the local road charges due on-site at the end of the rental (which can be charged to your credit card).

A broker like AutoEurope can quote a variety of rental company rates, feel free to get quotes from individual quotes...just makes sure they're apples to apples.