Furlough Vehicles

Question:
“I need a vehicle for furlough. What are the options? Which would be best for my situation?”

Answer:
These are the considerations: the vehicle, the registration (including license plates,) the insurance, and the driver’s license.

1. Borrowing a car for furlough is NOT the same as borrowing a car from a friend to run an errand.
   • Missionaries who borrow a car for furlough tend to put on a lot of miles quickly, often in unfavorable weather and/or in unfamiliar surroundings. Risks are higher of an accident, with the expenses of repair and liability, or of a mechanical breakdown.
   • Every vehicle should be insured. The potential exists of borrowing an uninsured or under-insured vehicle and then suffering the consequences should something happen. Also, were a missionary to have an accident with a borrowed vehicle while under the proper coverage of the owner, the owner would experience all the consequences of higher rates, etc., for a long time.
   • Loaned vehicles tend to be well-used vehicles which have been used as a backup for local driving. Rarely do people have a backup vehicle that is ready and reliable for long trips.
   • Actual expenses (fuel, repairs, maintenance, etc.) incurred while driving a borrowed vehicle are allowed to be reported on the EOM rather than mileage.
   • Without fail, a typical borrower cares less for a vehicle than does an owner. An exemplary borrower actually cares more for the vehicle. An exemplary borrower will return the vehicle in better condition than how it was when it was first borrowed.
   • A borrower runs the risk of damaging his testimony if the owner senses that the vehicle was not properly handled or maintained.
   • All this being said, we don’t recommend asking to borrow a vehicle. It puts the owner in an awkward position. If the owner freely offers the use of the vehicle without any “hints” then it MIGHT be the right thing to do. Remember Dr. Hyles’ excellent advice to never tell someone a need that you have that they can meet. We never would want to compromise our integrity to save money. It is OK to make the need of a vehicle a prayer
     request in an impersonal prayer letter.
2. Owning and driving your own car that has been purchased/kept with furlough in mind.
   • Missionaries are taking more frequent furloughs of a shorter duration. Some are finding it best to buy a vehicle, to register it and to insure it personally, and to keep driver’s licenses current.
   • This works well if you have family members or friends who are willing to store the vehicle securely and to keep it ready for use.
   • This requires long term planning but is honest and in many cases is good stewardship in the eyes of everyone.
   • If furloughs are infrequent and lengthy, it may be a good idea to purchase a vehicle, to register and insure it and to sell it when it’s time to return to the field. It may be difficult to get insurance for relatively short periods of time, especially if you don’t have a fixed US address/residence.
   • Driving such a vehicle allows you to claim ministry mileage on the EOM report.
3. Renting a vehicle may be the best idea.
   • Rental vehicles take all the factors into consideration. They are usually nearly new, reliable, registered and insured and require less in the way of a fixed US residence.
   • These benefits come with a cost. They can be expensive and they are rarely cheap.
   • On the EOM, actual expenses rather than mileage are used.
   • Segments of the rental car market provide vehicles that are less expensive.
     • Rental companies that specialize in older, used vehicles (humorously called “rent-a-wreck”) have cars that are more likely to have safety or reliability concerns.
     • Rental companies that cater to the missionary market are a good, honest option. They began with altruistic and spiritual ideals but then learned that missionaries don’t care for borrowed vehicles very well, often returning them damaged or dirty. So, the prices have risen significantly. But they are still a good option.

Final thoughts: