Claim for Reimbursement of Cost of Collision Damage Waiver Insurance

An employee requested reconsideration of the disallowance of his claim for reimbursement of the cost of collision damage waiver insurance on an automobile rented in a foreign country for official business, contending that he was advised by agency personnel to carry the insurance; damage claims in the foreign country could be settled at the scene by local police; and he was not informed that the expense was not reimbursable. Reimbursement of the cost of such insurance was prohibited by regulations having the effect of law then in force, and GAO did not have authority to waive or modify the regulations even if there were extenuating circumstances.