Traveling on official government business? The U.S. Government Rental Car Program is designed to offer substantial benefits and reduced rates when you rent vehicles. This program applies to sedans, passenger vans, and SUVs from a range of approved rental companies, ensuring cost-effective and convenient transportation for federal employees and service members on duty. Administered through the U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement #5, this program provides a framework for advantageous car rentals.
Key Benefits of the Government Rental Car Program
One of the primary advantages of this program is the commitment from rental companies to provide you with the vehicle you reserved, or better. If your reserved car class isn’t available upon arrival, the rental agency is obligated to offer a vehicle of equal or higher class at no extra charge. Furthermore, if there’s a delay exceeding one hour after you reach the counter and no vehicle is available, the company will arrange and cover the cost of alternate transportation to your destination. A rental car will then be delivered to you when available, again at no additional expense. The program also eliminates common rental restrictions such as blackout dates and minimum rental periods, and it typically includes unlimited mileage (except for one-way rentals), allowing for flexible travel plans within established maximum rates.
Cost-Effective Features & Included Insurance
Beyond vehicle availability and flexibility, the Government Rental Car Program is structured to minimize costs and maximize coverage. You won’t encounter extra charges for additional authorized drivers or for drivers aged 21 and over. Even drivers aged 18-20, who may be subject to a young driver fee, will find that this fee is reimbursable. Perhaps most significantly, comprehensive insurance is automatically included in the rental agreement at no additional cost. This includes Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)/Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and liability insurance. The liability coverage extends to $25,000 for property damage, $100,000 per person, and up to $300,000 per incident for personal injury or wrongful death. It’s important to decline any additional insurance offerings at the rental counter, as you are already fully covered under the program.
For complete details and to ensure you are leveraging all available benefits, refer to the official Rental Car fact sheet and the full U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement #5. These resources provide in-depth information to help you make the most of the Government Rental Car Program during your official travel.
