No, as a general rule DBA insurance is not optional. United States federal law requires that DBA insurance be purchased for certain situations, including those in which U.S. or foreign-based employers contract with the U.S. Government (USG) to perform certain USG projects or services outside the continental U.S., including public work contracts involving construction and services provided in connection with the national defense or war activities outside the U.S. DBA insurance is also required when such employers contract to perform certain projects on U.S. military bases outside the U.S. Failure to obtain DBA insurance can result in stiff penalties.