When getting car insurance about 5 years ago, I specifically stated I wanted full coverage insurance. My agent told me it was not common to have this kind of insurance in Italy because it was so expensive - that most people just bought insurance to cover the "other" person's damages not to cover their own car.

But, being an Expat who wanted to avoid any and all potential problems, I opted for full coverage-informing the agent I also wanted the lowest deductable possible.

So, I've been paying a hefty insurance premium. Always thinking I was "covered" ....until I had a car accident in April.

This can be another thread...but the point of this thread is...that now the insurance company is telling me I don't have Kasko insurance and they won't pay me anything!

Now...I am going to try to hunt down my agent who never seems to be in his office tomorrow..but to avoid a potentially sleepless night...is there anywhere on my policy that would state this Kasko situation?

Last year, my insurance premium was around 1300 Euro and I paid 900 Euro for a year of insurance for this year- on a car valued at only 2700 Euro!!! Seems to be full coverage to me!

Any words of advice?

I can't help with this one- all I have is liability insurance (Responsibilità Civile Auto). My premiums run a little under $400 per year.

I can't say what is going to happen with your insurance, but I would recommend you get Clements the next time. The agent is Ira Eisman and many of us on this board use it. It is American style in that it covers much more than Italian policies.

Thanks for the recommendation. I wish I would have known about this site when I first arrived in Italy...

Let me know if you want Ira Eisman's cell phone number, alaskaitaly.

Hi,
I would like his phone number! Where is he located?

Thanks,
Claudia

Here's a broker for Clements:
http://www.italsure.it/

Phone and email address are at the bottom of the webpage.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill 2:
Here's a broker for Clements:
http://www.italsure.it/

Phone and email address are at the bottom of the webpage.

I've used this company - the only one I could find that would fully-comp insure a UK-plated car in Italy. They're UK brokers offering US insurance products. Price maybe about 10% more than equivalent fully-comp in UK. Straightforward online process. You get the little insurance 'square' for your windscreen plus the policy document in both English and Italian. Usual caveat - haven't had to make a claim yet.

I would like his phone number too.

I had a long meeting with my insurance agent the other day. I took an Italian friend along to make sure I understood everything he was saying.

What a palava! I may have to write another thread with my experience. I had asked for full coverage but my definition of full coverage and the Italian system are certainly very different.

I wish I would have taken an Italian with me when I first bought the policy. My agent speaks English - but, as my Italian friend said, it is a totally different vocabulary and difficult for her to understand too.

Italsure (broker for Clements) phone number is 442071178283. They speak English and I read on www.italymag.co.uk/forums that they offer full coverage.

I'm confused! Italsure and Clements each have their own websites! Any reason to use one site over the other?

If you can get a policy directly from Clements, that sounds good to me. I just saw Italsure recommended over at Italymag. My insurance is with USAA.

The Clements rep is Ira Eisman. Here is his office number: 076 563 704. He offers what we would consider "normal" coverage in the US. It is a US insurance carrier especially for Americans abroad. The other nice thing is you pay in dollars!

Bill, we are members of USAA!! I did not think of them for foreign car insurance. I am supposing you have checked their rates against Clements and you find USAA to be at least as good????

We don't use USAA for car insurance here--because I get a better rate with Liberty Mutual.

Get USAA, definitely the cheapest in Italy. You call the office in London for the policy- here's their number:
00-800-531-87220