Board of Contract Appeals
                General Services Administration 
                     Washington, D.C. 20405
                                



                      ______________________

                         October 16, 2006
                      ______________________


                         GSBCA 16905-RELO


                   In the Matter of GARY TWEDT


     Gary Twedt, Redondo Beach, CA, Claimant.

     JoAnne Rountree, Supervisor, Travel Section, Financial Services Center, Department
of Veterans Affairs, Austin, TX, appearing for Department of Veterans Affairs.  

PARKER, Board Judge.

                            Background

     Gary Twedt was transferred by his employer, the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA), from one duty station to another in 1999.  Mr. Twedt purchased a home at his new
duty station.  VA reimbursed him for various expenses incurred in connection with the
purchase, but refused to pay $533.72 that Mr. Twedt incurred for the purchase of a title
insurance policy.  According to VA, Mr. Twedt has refused to provide a breakdown of the
charge that shows how much, if any, of the premium was for a lender's title insurance policy
and how much, if any, was paid for an owner's policy.  Mr. Twedt has asked the Board to
review VA's decision, pointing out that the settlement statement he received in connection
with the purchase of his house shows a charge of $533.72 for a "title policy premium." 
Accordingly, Mr. Twedt maintains, he is entitled to reimbursement without further
explanation of the charge.

                            Discussion

     We have previously explained the rules that govern reimbursement of title insurance
premiums:

     A "[m]ortgage title insurance policy, paid by [the transferred employee], on
     a residence [the employee] purchased for the protection of, and required by,
     the lender" is reimbursable if it is customarily paid by the purchaser of a
     residence at the location in question.  An "[o]wner's title insurance policy" is
     generally not reimbursable.  Such a policy is reimbursable, however, if it is
     customarily paid by the purchaser of a residence at the location in question
     and if "it is a prerequisite to financing or the transfer of the property; or if the
     cost of the . . . policy is inseparable from the cost of other insurance which is
     a prerequisite."

Thaddeus Hosley, GSBCA 16899-RELO (Aug. 9, 2006) (citations omitted); Gregory A.
Tate, GSBCA 16753-RELO, 06-1 BCA  33,195; see also Jeffrey B. Hicks,
GSBCA 15860-RELO, 03-1 BCA  32,083 (2002).

     As a claimant demanding payment from the Government, Mr. Twedt has the burden
of proving that he is entitled to reimbursement.  Paul B. Garvey, GSBCA 13658-RELO,
97-1 BCA  28,690 (1996).  He has failed to offer such proof, however, either to VA in
response to the agency's initial request for information, or now before the Board.  Mr. Twedt
has not made any attempt to show whether, and if so what part of, the expense listed on the
settlement sheet is for the reimbursable type of title insurance -- mortgage title insurance
purchased for the protection of, and required by, the lender.  As to any portion of the
premium that may be attributable to the purchase of owner's title insurance, Mr. Twedt has
not shown that such a policy is customarily paid by the purchaser at the location in question
and was a prerequisite to financing or the transfer of the property, or that the cost of the
policy is inseparable from the cost of other insurance which was a prerequisite to financing
or transfer of the property.  Unfortunately, Mr. Twedt chose to litigate the matter rather than
obtaining a letter from the insurance or title company that may have provided the necessary
information.  Based upon the record before us, the claim must be denied.



                                   ___________________________
                                   ROBERT W. PARKER
                                   Board Judge