DiscoverCars vs AutoEurope in Italy: Which Should You Use?

Renting a car in Italy sounds simple…until you’re comparing hundreds of vehicles, security deposits, and confusing insurance terms like “low excess” vs “zero excess.”

For my upcoming July trip to Bergamo, I ran the exact same search on DiscoverCars and AutoEurope using identical dates, pickup location, and car category to see which platform actually offered the better deal.

Here’s what I found:

• DiscoverCars showed a base price of $439 for 5 days
• The security deposit was $745
• Full coverage was available, but only with a low reimbursable deductible
• AutoEurope had a higher base price — but when I added their full coverage (with zero deductible), it actually came out slightly cheaper overall
  

Short answer: When comparing DiscoverCars vs AutoEurope in Italy, AutoEurope was $56.69 cheaper for my July dates with zero deductible (called “zero excess” in Europe) insurance. But DiscoverCars had a lower base price and stronger filtering tools — which may matter depending on your risk tolerance.

That surprised me.

In full transparency, DiscoverCars provided me with booking credit to test their platform. I decided to move forward with the booking so I could evaluate the entire process — from pickup to return — and I’ll update this comparison with real-world experience after my trip.

I’ve rented in Italy before through AutoEurope and had a smooth experience, so I didn’t take this comparison lightly. I evaluated pricing, insurance protection, supplier reputation (I selected Sixt), cancellation terms, and ease of comparison before booking. I also double-checked the rental conditions and voucher details carefully to make sure I understood the deposit and coverage structure before paying.

In this post, I’ll break down exactly how DiscoverCars and AutoEurope compare in Italy — including pricing structure, insurance differences, filtering tools, and who each platform is best for.

Because the right choice depends on your risk tolerance, driving experience, and what matters most to you.

Pricing Comparison: July in Bergamo

To make this comparison fair, I searched both platforms using:

• Bergamo downtown pickup
• 5 days in July
• Peugeot 208 (automatic)
• Supplier: Sixt
  

Here’s how the pricing broke down.

DiscoverCars

• Base price: $439
• Full coverage (low excess only): Added at checkout
• Final total: $579
• Security deposit / excess: $745
  

DiscoverCars offered full coverage, but only with a low excess option for my dates. There was no zero excess option available through their platform for this booking.

👉 See available suppliers on DiscoverCars for your dates

AutoEurope

• Higher base price: $461
• Zero excess full coverage available
• Final total: $522
• Security deposit / excess: $0
  

Even though the starting price looked higher, once I added zero excess coverage, AutoEurope actually came out cheaper overall — and eliminated the deposit risk entirely.

👉 Check AutoEurope pricing for your dates (zero excess options available)

Why Pricing Can Change Between Platforms

When I saw that AutoEurope ended up cheaper with zero excess — even though DiscoverCars had the lower base price — I had the same question you probably do:

How can the exact same car from the same supplier cost different amounts on different platforms? Both DiscoverCars and AutoEurope are third-party booking platforms, meaning they act as intermediaries between you and the rental company (in this case, Sixt).

The answer usually comes down to three things:

1. Insurance Structure
DiscoverCars’ Full Coverage works as a reimbursement program, while AutoEurope was able to offer zero excess coverage built into the booking. Those are two very different risk models, and they’re priced differently behind the scenes.

2. Negotiated Supplier Contracts
Car rental platforms negotiate separate contracts with suppliers like Sixt. Sometimes one platform has better bundled insurance terms. Other times, base rates are lower but coverage is structured differently.

3. Seasonal and Inventory Pricing
July is peak season in Northern Italy. Prices fluctuate daily based on demand, supplier inventory, and how many automatic vehicles are still available. What’s cheaper one week may not be cheaper the next.

When I broadened the search and focused purely on the lowest available price — without prioritizing a specific supplier like Sixt — DiscoverCars did surface cheaper options, even after adding Full Coverage. 

In other words, the value difference can shift depending on whether you prioritize supplier reputation or lowest base price.

That’s why it’s important to compare total price, coverage structure, and a variety of suppliers on both platforms.

Why I Still Considered DiscoverCars

Even though AutoEurope was cheaper with stronger insurance protection, DiscoverCars had advantages I genuinely liked — especially in how the platform feels to use and I wanted first hand experience with another platform.

On AutoEurope, you start with a grid of car categories and suppliers. You select a category first, then compare suppliers within that grouping. Nice and simple, but the website has a dated feel.

On DiscoverCars, you immediately see a full list of available cars with photos and can narrow the results using detailed filters — including supplier, deposit amount, fuel policy, car specifications, mileage limits, and more. When you select the car, you get even more helpful information. 

For me, that filtering experience felt faster and more modern. I could instantly narrow down to reputable suppliers like Sixt and see key details like deposit requirements without clicking through multiple screens.

For someone comfortable with low excess — especially after already driving in Northern Italy — that difference in user experience may matter.

For a first-time driver in Italy? Zero excess protection may absolutely be worth prioritizing instead.

Zero Excess vs DiscoverCars Full Coverage: The Real Difference

When comparing DiscoverCars vs AutoEurope, the biggest difference wasn’t the car or the supplier — it was how insurance protection works.

With AutoEurope, I was able to book zero excess coverage. That means if damage occurs, there’s no deductible and no reimbursement process — I wouldn’t be responsible for paying upfront.

With DiscoverCars, I added their “Full Coverage,” which works as a reimbursement program.

That means:

• A €624.48 (~$745) deposit is still held on your card
• If damage occurs, the rental company charges you first
• Then DiscoverCars reimburses you after reviewing the claim

With reimbursement-style coverage, you also need to have enough available credit to cover that deposit in case something happens.

Full Coverage does cover a lot — including wheels, windows, undercarriage, towing, and lost keys — which many supplier policies exclude .

But it does not eliminate the deposit requirement.

For my dates in July:

• DiscoverCars total: $579 with low excess reimbursement coverage
• AutoEurope total: $522.31 with zero excess

So why would someone still choose DiscoverCars?

That comes down to risk tolerance and booking preferences.

Because I’ve already driven in Northern Italy and feel comfortable with the roads and drivers, I’m personally okay with low excess coverage through a reputable supplier like Sixt.

Pricing differences often come down to supplier reputation, coverage structure, and availability — which is why comparing options before booking can be worthwhile.

The first time I drove in Italy, I was far more nervous about tight streets, unexpected scratches, and navigating ZTL zones — which is why zero excess would have mattered more to me then.

If this were my first time driving in Italy? I would likely prioritize zero excess instead.

Who Each Is Best For

DiscoverCars May Be Better For:

• Repeat drivers in Italy
• Travelers comparing multiple suppliers quickly
• Travelers comfortable with reimbursement-style coverage
• People who value filtering tools and modern website user experience
• Travelers seeking the lowest price and comfortable renting from lesser-known suppliers

👉 See available suppliers on DiscoverCars for your dates

AutoEurope May Be Better For:

• First-time drivers in Italy
• People who want zero excess
• Travelers who don’t want to deal with reimbursement claims
• Anyone anxious about deposit holds
• People who like simple website user experiences

👉 Check AutoEurope pricing for your dates (zero excess options available)

Frequently Asked Questions About DiscoverCars vs AutoEurope in Italy

So…Which Should You Book in Italy?

After comparing both platforms side-by-side for a 5-day July rental in Bergamo (same car, same supplier, same dates), here’s how I’d personally decide.

If This Is Your First Time Driving in Italy

I would strongly consider AutoEurope with zero excess coverage.

The total for my dates was actually lower ($522.31) than DiscoverCars — and it eliminated the deductible entirely.

If you’re nervous about:

• Fender benders
• Tight streets
• Unexpected scratches
• Or dealing with reimbursement claims

If you’re still unsure what driving in Italy actually feels like, I break down what surprised me (and what wasn’t as scary as I expected) in my full driving guide.

Zero excess removes a lot of mental stress.

👉 Check AutoEurope pricing for your dates (zero excess options available)

If You’re Comfortable Driving in Italy (Like I Am Now)

I’d feel comfortable booking through DiscoverCars with Full Coverage.

For my July rental:

• Base price was lower
• Filtering tools were faster and more modern
• I could instantly narrow to reputable suppliers like Sixt
• And I understood exactly what the deposit would be
  

Because I’ve already driven in Northern Italy and trust the road conditions and drivers, I’m personally okay with low excess coverage through a strong supplier.

👉 See available suppliers on DiscoverCars for your dates

The Bottom Line

Both platforms are legitimate.

Both returned the exact same Sixt Peugeot 208 for my dates.

The real difference came down to:

• Insurance structure
• Risk tolerance
• And how you prefer to compare options

If zero excess protection matters most → AutoEurope may edge out.

If powerful filtering and the ability to compare multiple suppliers matter most → DiscoverCars is excellent.

For this specific trip, I booked DiscoverCars — but I would choose differently depending on the scenario.

July is peak season in Northern Italy, and automatic cars from reputable suppliers like Sixt tend to sell out quickly — especially in smaller cities like Bergamo. Prices also rise as availability drops.

Whichever platform you choose, book early, understand your coverage, and drive with confidence — Italy is worth it.

Planning to Drive in Italy?

If you’re planning to rent a car in Italy, these guides will help you feel even more confident behind the wheel:

• The Best Way To Rent A Car In Italy—From Someone Who’s Done It
• Is It Hard To Drive In Italy? What Americans Need To Know
• Renting Automatic Cars in Italy: What to Know
• Overcoming Fear of Driving a Rental Car in Italy
• AutoEurope Review For Italy: Why It’s Best for Car Rentals