Purchase of Insurance Policies on Vehicles Operated by Federal Employees in Foreign Countries

A decision was requested regarding the purchase of liability insurance for drivers of Government-owned vehicles which are used for travel into foreign countries and reimbursement for the purchase of such insurance by employees driving in foreign countries in the course of their duties. The General Services Administration may provide by regulation for the purchase of annual or trip insurance policies on Government vehicles regularly or intermittently driven into foreign countries where requirements of law that insurance be carried or where legal procedures which may result in extreme difficulties to employees when involved in an accident require such purchase. The Federal Travel Regulations should be changed to specifically provide for the reimbursement of the costs of trip insurance purchased while operating Government or private vehicles in foreign countries although such expenses may be reimbursed under current regulations. The Federal Travel Regulations may be amended to provide for reimbursement for the purchase of additional insurance available on vehicles rented for use in foreign countries and to provide higher mileage allowance rates for the operation of privately-owned vehicles in foreign countries than in the United States.