B-238122, Jun 12, 1990
Highlights
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL - Relocation - House-hunting travel - Travel expenses - Reimbursement - Amount determination CIVILIAN PERSONNEL - Travel - Rental vehicles - Liability insurance Expenses - Reimbursement DIGEST: This summary letter decision addresses well established rules which have been discussed in previous Comptroller General decisions. Spellins states that she is unaware of any legal basis for payment of this employee's claims of $83.40 for collision damage waiver and personal accident insurance while on a "househunting trip" before a permanent change of station. Since the government is a self-insurer. Expenses for pets are considered to be personal expenses of the employee and are not reimbursable.
B-238122, Jun 12, 1990
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL - Relocation - House-hunting travel - Travel expenses - Reimbursement - Amount determination CIVILIAN PERSONNEL - Travel - Rental vehicles - Liability insurance Expenses - Reimbursement DIGEST: This summary letter decision addresses well established rules which have been discussed in previous Comptroller General decisions. To locate substantive decisions addressing this issue, refer to decisions indexed under the above listed index entry.
Cynthia R. Fox:
Ms. Linda B. Spellins, an authorized certifying officer of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Dallas, Texas, has asked whether she may properly certify for payment two claims of Ms. Cynthia R. Fox, an IRS employee. Ms. Spellins states that she is unaware of any legal basis for payment of this employee's claims of $83.40 for collision damage waiver and personal accident insurance while on a "househunting trip" before a permanent change of station, and of $100 for the household pet deposit on her unexpired lease. We agree with the IRS that these claims may not be paid.
Since the government is a self-insurer, Federal Travel Regulations, paras. 1-3.2c(1) and 1-3.2c(3) (Supp. 1, Sept. 28, 1981), generally prohibit payment for collision damage insurance and personal accident insurance, respectively. See Avis Rent A Car, B-208630, Mar. 22, 1983. Furthermore, expenses for pets are considered to be personal expenses of the employee and are not reimbursable. Henry J. Gerke, III, B-227189, Mar. 25, 1988.
Accordingly, Ms. Fox's claims may not be certified for payment.