Car insurance (assicurazione auto) is mandatory in Italy for every vehicle on the road. The Italian system differs significantly from the American model, using a bonus-malus class system that directly ties your premium to your claims history. Understanding how it works helps you avoid overpaying and ensures you have proper coverage. For the broader context of driving, licensing, and car ownership, see our driving guide.
Mandatory Coverage: RC Auto
Italian law requires all registered vehicles to carry Responsabilita Civile Auto (RC Auto), which is third-party liability insurance. This covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an accident. Minimum coverage limits set by law are EUR 6.45 million for personal injury and EUR 1.3 million for property damage per claim, significantly higher than most U.S. state minimums. Driving without valid insurance is a serious offense: fines range from EUR 866 to EUR 3,464, and the vehicle can be seized. The policy must be active even if the vehicle is parked and not being driven, unless it is officially deregistered from the PRA (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico).
The Bonus-Malus System
Italy’s car insurance pricing revolves around the classe di merito (merit class) system, regulated by IVASS (the Italian insurance supervisory authority). There are 18 classes, from class 1 (best, lowest premium) to class 18 (worst, highest premium). New policyholders without Italian driving history typically enter at class 14. Each claim-free year moves you one class lower (cheaper). Each at-fault claim moves you two classes higher (more expensive). It takes 13 consecutive claim-free years to reach class 1 from class 14.
The Legge Bersani (Law 40/2007) allows family members living in the same household to inherit the best merit class held by any family member when insuring a new or additional vehicle. This is extremely valuable for new drivers or newly arrived residents: if your spouse has class 1, you can start there instead of class 14. The vehicles do not need to be the same type (you can inherit a car’s class for a motorcycle, and vice versa).
Foreign Driving History
If you have a clean driving record from the U.S. or another country, some Italian insurers will consider this when assigning your initial class. Not all companies offer this, so shop around and bring documentation: a claims history letter from your previous insurer (ideally translated into Italian), and your U.S. driving record from your state’s DMV. Insurers like Generali, UnipolSai, and Allianz are more likely to accommodate foreign driving histories than smaller companies.
Additional Coverage Options
Beyond mandatory RC Auto, several optional coverages are available.
Furto e Incendio (Theft and Fire): Covers vehicle theft, attempted theft damage, fire, and explosion. Highly recommended in areas with higher theft rates. Cost: EUR 100 to EUR 400/year depending on vehicle value and location.
Kasko (Comprehensive): Covers damage to your own vehicle regardless of fault, including single-vehicle accidents, collisions with animals, and vandalism. Available as full kasko (all damage) or mini-kasko (limited to collisions with identified vehicles). Cost: EUR 200 to EUR 800/year depending on vehicle value.
Cristalli (Glass): Covers windshield and window repair or replacement. Cost: EUR 30 to EUR 80/year.
Eventi Naturali (Natural Events): Covers damage from hail, floods, earthquakes, and storms. Particularly relevant given Italy’s weather patterns, including severe hailstorms in the Po Valley and flooding events. Cost: EUR 50 to EUR 150/year.
Assistenza Stradale (Roadside Assistance): Towing, flat tire changes, battery jump-starts, lockout service. Cost: EUR 20 to EUR 60/year. Alternatively, ACI (Automobile Club d’Italia, similar to AAA) membership provides comprehensive roadside assistance for approximately EUR 80 to EUR 120/year.
Infortuni del Conducente (Driver Injury): Covers medical expenses and disability for the driver, who is not covered by RC Auto (which only covers third parties). Cost: EUR 20 to EUR 50/year.
Tutela Legale (Legal Protection): Covers legal expenses in disputes arising from traffic incidents. Cost: EUR 30 to EUR 80/year.
What Affects Your Premium
Italian car insurance premiums vary dramatically based on several factors. Location: This is the single biggest factor. Premiums in Naples and other parts of Campania can be 2 to 3 times higher than in Trentino-Alto Adige or Friuli Venezia Giulia. Southern Italy generally has higher premiums due to higher claim rates and fraud. Merit class: The difference between class 1 and class 14 can be hundreds of euros per year. Age and experience: Drivers under 26 and those with fewer than 3 years of license history pay significantly more. Vehicle type: Engine power (kW), vehicle age, and value all factor in. Higher-powered vehicles cost more to insure. Annual mileage: Some policies offer discounts for low mileage. Payment method: Annual lump-sum payment is cheaper than monthly installments. Telematics: Many insurers offer scatola nera (black box) devices that monitor driving behavior and offer discounts of 10% to 30% for safe driving. These are particularly common for younger drivers.
How to Purchase
Comparing Quotes
Always compare quotes from multiple providers. Online comparison platforms are the most efficient approach: Facile.it, Segugio.it, and Preventivi.it aggregate quotes from dozens of insurers. Enter your vehicle details, driving history, and desired coverage to receive instant comparisons.
Provider Types
Traditional insurers with agent networks: Generali, UnipolSai, Allianz, AXA, Zurich, Reale Mutua, Cattolica. Agents provide personal service and can help navigate claims. Direct/online insurers: Linear (UnipolSai group), Genialloyd (Allianz group), Direct Line (now part of Verti/MAPFRE), Prima Assicurazioni, ConTe.it. Typically 10% to 30% cheaper than traditional insurers. Bank-affiliated: Some banks (Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit) offer auto insurance products, sometimes bundled with other financial products.
Required Documents
To purchase a policy you need your codice fiscale, valid driver’s license (Italian patente), vehicle registration document (libretto di circolazione), previous insurance attestation (attestato di rischio, showing your merit class and claims history, which your previous insurer must provide), and your Italian bank IBAN for direct debit.
Claims Process
In the event of an accident, fill out the Constatazione Amichevole di Incidente (CAI, also called CID or “blue form”), a standardized accident report form that should be kept in every vehicle. Both parties sign the form documenting the circumstances. If both parties agree on fault and sign the CAI, the claim is processed under the indennizzo diretto (direct compensation) system: you file the claim with your own insurer rather than the other party’s insurer. This speeds up processing significantly. For accidents with injuries, always call 112 (emergency) or the Polizia Stradale (traffic police). A police report is required for injury claims. Claims typically settle within 30 to 60 days for straightforward cases with a signed CAI.
Practical Tips
Set a calendar reminder 30 days before your policy renewal date. Italian policies no longer auto-renew (since 2013), so you must actively renew or switch providers. Your insurer must send the attestato di rischio at least 30 days before expiration. Shop every year at renewal. Loyalty discounts are rare in Italian auto insurance, and switching is easy. A 5-minute comparison on Facile.it can save EUR 100 to EUR 300. If you have multiple vehicles in the household, use the Legge Bersani to inherit the best class. Consider the scatola nera telematics device for significant discounts, especially if you are a safe driver new to the Italian system starting at a high class. Keep the CAI form in your glove compartment at all times. For home and property insurance, see our home insurance guide. For a general overview of insurance types in Italy, see our insurance overview.