For federal government employees and service members on official duty, navigating travel logistics can be time-consuming. The U.S. Government Rental Car Program is designed to simplify this process, offering reduced rates and a suite of benefits when renting vehicles. This program, accessible through various approved rental car companies, covers car rentals, passenger vans, and SUVs, ensuring efficient and cost-effective transportation for official government travel. The details are outlined in the comprehensive U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement #5 [PDF, 56 pages].
Key Benefits of the Government Rental Car Program
This program prioritizes convenience and reliability for government travelers. A significant advantage is the vehicle guarantee: if your reserved car class isn’t available upon arrival, rental companies are obligated to provide a vehicle of equal or higher class at no extra charge. Furthermore, in situations where a vehicle isn’t ready within an hour of your arrival, the rental company will arrange and cover the cost of reasonable alternate transportation to your destination. A vehicle will then be delivered to you when available, again at no additional cost. The program also eliminates common rental restrictions, with no blackout dates or minimum rental periods, and includes unlimited mileage on most rentals, excluding one-way arrangements. While rates are variable, they are capped at established maximum rates [PDF, 20 pages], ensuring budget predictability.
No Hidden Fees or Extra Charges
Cost transparency is a core feature of the program. Government travelers benefit from the elimination of extra charges for additional authorized drivers and for drivers aged 21 and older. Even for drivers aged 18-20, while an underage/young driver fee may be initially charged, it is fully reimbursable. This policy ensures that departments are not burdened with unexpected costs, making budgeting and expense reporting simpler.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage Included
Insurance is automatically included in the Government Rental Car Program, providing peace of mind for travelers. The program encompasses Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)/Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Liability Insurance at no additional cost. The liability coverage is substantial, covering personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage up to $25,000 for property damage, $100,000 per person, and $300,000 per incident. Because of this built-in coverage, government employees are explicitly instructed not to accept any additional liability, collision, damage, or other supplemental insurance offered at the rental counter, further streamlining the rental process and preventing unnecessary expenses.
For more detailed information, refer to the Rental Car fact sheet [PDF, 1 page]. This program is a valuable resource for efficient and economical official travel.
