Rental terms are specific to each country, and sometimes the tariff does not include, for example, insurance. In that case, the insurance terms are in a separate clause in the contract, and for them to be effective, you must sign not only at the end of the contract but also in that specific clause.
Passenger and luggage insurance is always an additional service and is paid separately. Another important point is the limits of the renter's liability in case of damage or theft of the car. Find out whether insurance for such cases is included in the tariff or not. The specifics of rental can be studied in any car magazine that are available at car rental counters. In Italy, for example, limited liability in case of car theft is included in all tariffs.
Check whether the daily mileage is limited, what the penalties are for being late. Check the type of fuel. Write down the emergency phone number of the rental company. Include in the contract the names of all drivers who, even with a small probability, might drive the rented car.
Ask about the specifics of returning the car. Most rental companies expect the car to be returned with a full tank of gas. Otherwise, you will have to pay a high fee for refueling (fuel + service).
A cheap tariff with a mileage limit (say, 100 km per day) is worth taking if you do not plan to travel outside one city. If you want to drive across half of Europe, it is better to choose a tariff without any restrictions.
Within one country, an additional fee for the ability to pick up the car in one city and leave it in another is usually not charged. You only have to pay for the pleasure of crossing borders.
Exchange large bills in advance, bring credit cards on the road so that when you stop at a gas station at night, you have all payment options for fuel in your wallet. The fact is that in Europe, you can sometimes only pay for gas with a card.
If you violate traffic rules on European roads, be sure to pay the fine. Information about your violation will be entered into the computer network, and if you ignore the penalty, next time you will likely be denied entry to Schengen Area countries.
Looking for parking in the historic center of European cities is a futile endeavor. Use the services of underground parking in central areas, or leave the car near a large shopping center and get to your destination by metro, public transport, or on foot. If you leave the car in a no-parking zone, it will definitely be towed.
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