The U.S. Government Rental Car Program is designed to provide cost-effective and advantageous car rental options for federal government employees and service members when they are traveling for official government business. This program, facilitated through agreements with various approved rental car companies, ensures that eligible travelers receive reduced rates and a suite of special benefits. The framework for this program is detailed in the U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement #5 [PDF, 56 pages], which comprehensively outlines the terms and conditions.
One of the key advantages of this program is the guaranteed vehicle availability. If the specific car class reserved is not available upon arrival, rental companies are obligated to provide a vehicle of equal or higher class at no extra charge. Furthermore, should a vehicle not be available within an hour of arriving at the rental counter, the program ensures that travelers are provided with reasonable alternative transportation to their destination, arranged by the rental company and at no cost to the traveler. When a rental vehicle becomes available, it will be delivered to the traveler, again without any additional charges. The program also eliminates common rental car restrictions such as blackout dates and minimum rental periods, and it includes unlimited mileage for most rentals, with exceptions for one-way rentals. While rental rates are variable, they are capped and cannot exceed the established maximum rates [PDF, 20 pages] set by the government.
Cost savings are further enhanced by the elimination of additional fees. The program waives extra charges for both additional authorized drivers and for drivers who are 21 years of age or older. While drivers aged 18 to 20 may be subject to an underage/young driver fee, it’s important to note that this fee is reimbursable. Regardless of age, all drivers must be listed on the rental agreement, even if they are considered additional drivers. This policy ensures comprehensive coverage and transparency in rental agreements.
Insurance coverage is automatically included in the program benefits. Travelers under this program receive Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), along with liability insurance, at no additional cost. The liability coverage extends to personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage, with specific limits: $25,000 for property damage, $100,000 per person, and $300,000 for all persons per incident. Because of this comprehensive coverage, government travelers are explicitly advised not to accept any additional liability, collision, damage, or other forms of insurance offered by the rental car companies, as these would be redundant and unnecessary expenses.
For those seeking more detailed information, a concise Rental Car fact sheet [PDF, 1 page] is available, providing a summary of the program’s key features and benefits. This program is a valuable resource for government employees and service members, ensuring they have access to reliable and affordable transportation while on official duty.
Note: While this article details the benefits of the U.S. Government Rental Car Program, it’s important to remember that vehicle maintenance and issues like car key programming are separate concerns. For those facing problems with their personal vehicles, resources for solutions like Free Car Key Coding Software might be relevant, though not within the scope of this government travel program.
