[DeTomaso] Overseas Insurance

[SOBill at aol.com]

Will,
 
I lived in Italy for 5 years and have been back at least 15 times  since 
1980.
 
I love Italy and I have life long friends there.
 
My advice? Don't take anything valuable, like your Pantera, to  Italy.
 
Rent a car in Italy and buy every insurance they sell. Most rental  car 
insurance has a hefty deductible which leaves you liable for every ding and  
dent they find ...... even after they have inspected the car and  you've gone 
home. You can buy extra insurance which covers the deductible  and thus 
removes their motivation to ding you (pun intended).
 
However, buying the insurance gives you the right to argue. Don't  expect 
the police or the insurance company to do anything if you really  need either 
of them.
 
BTW, if you rent in one city and return in a different city, you  will pay 
around $350 for the convenience.
 
Also be aware, the centers of the larger Italian cities are now  restricted 
driving zones covered by camera systems which recognize license  plates. 
You will get a bill for $200 for each violation. The  bill comes in the mail 
after you get home ...... up to one year  later. They know where you live 
because it is a rental car. They also  have your credit card information from 
the rental company. Our last trip to  Rome: $400 for me and $600 for my son. 
We didn't know the system existed. The  rental company never said a word nor 
did the hotel. The system  is administered by subcontractors, not civil 
servants, who are paid a  percentage of the fines. Sound like our stop light 
cameras?
 
You can protest the ticket by appearing before a magistrate in  Italy. The 
magistrate will tell you he has no authority over the traffic ticket  system 
and does not know who does have the authority.
 
Contact your hotel and they can register a permit with the camera  gestapo 
to allow you to drive to and from your hotel. I have never tried that  and 
probably never will.
 
YMMV.
 
Have  fun today,

sobill at aol.com  

 
In a message dated 3/28/2011 11:56:42 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
wdemelo at cogeco.ca writes:

We're trying to plan a driving trip in Italy later this  year. Does anyone 
know of an insurance co that would insure the Cat's for  2 weeks of 
driving. 
Haggarty is way too much and Thum won't do it. Any  other  suggestions?
Will

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Have fun  today,

sobill at aol.com