B-176235 August 02, 1972
Highlights
Is claiming the amount she was required to pay from her personal funds in connection with the use of an automobile which she had rented in the performance of official business. Leach rented a vehicle from the Hertz Corporation and while it was parked on a private parking lot in St. Missouri the vehicle was backed into by another vehicle causing damage to the left rear tail light. The police were called but. No charges were filed nor was a report made of the accident. Leach not purchased the collision damage waiver she was called on to reimburse Hertz $16.43 for damages to the vehicle in accordance with the rental agreement. There is no requirement therein that an employee make an attempt to recover from the third party responsible.
B-176235 August 02, 1972
Mr. Carl H. White Authorized Certifying Officer Social and Economic Statistics Administration U.S. Department of Commerce
Dear Mr. White:
This refers to your Letter of June 8, 7472, with enclosures, requesting our decision whether you may certify the enclosed voucher in the amount of $16.43 as claimed by Mrs. Lorraine A, Leach representing reimbursement of repairs to a rented automobile.
Mrs. Lench, an employee of the Social and Economic Statistics Administration, is claiming the amount she was required to pay from her personal funds in connection with the use of an automobile which she had rented in the performance of official business. The record discloses that Mrs. Leach had been issued blanket travel orders which authorized her to utilize a commercial rental vehicle to perform her temporary duty assignment. Mrs. Leach rented a vehicle from the Hertz Corporation and while it was parked on a private parking lot in St. Joseph, Missouri the vehicle was backed into by another vehicle causing damage to the left rear tail light. The police were called but, because of the minor damage and the fact it happened on a private parking lot, no charges were filed nor was a report made of the accident,
Since Mrs. Leach not purchased the collision damage waiver she was called on to reimburse Hertz $16.43 for damages to the vehicle in accordance with the rental agreement. Section 3.2c of the Standardized Government Travel Regulations precludes reimbursement to an employee of the cost of the collision damage waiver or collision insurance and authorizes payment of damages up to the deductible amount as stated in the rental contract for the automobile. There is no requirement therein that an employee make an attempt to recover from the third party responsible, for the damages as suggested in your letter. While the Government would-be subrogated to the rights of the employee to collect from the third party by reason of payment of such damages, the matter of whether to attempt collection would depend on the facts of each case which may be attributed to collection attempts.
In the instant case, in view of the small amount involved, no collection attempts would appear to be warranted. Accordingly, we see no objection to reimbursement in the amount claimed.
The voucher is returned herewith and may be certified for payment, if otherwise correct.