What does "your covered auto" include in case of an unavailability of an insured vehicle?

"Your covered auto" in a Personal Auto Policy refers to the vehicles that are insured under the policy. When an insured vehicle is unavailable, coverage extends to certain alternatives, notably temporary substitute vehicles. This option is designed to ensure that the policyholder has coverage for a vehicle that is not their primary vehicle but is being used in place of it.

Temporary substitutes are generally vehicles that the insured drives while their own vehicle is out of service due to repairs or other reasons. This can include vehicles borrowed from friends or family, or vehicles rented temporarily while waiting for the insured vehicle to be fixed. The core idea is to maintain coverage continuity when the primary vehicle is not available for use.

While rental vehicles and loaner cars may seem similar, the distinction lies in how the policy specifically treats temporary substitutes as part of its coverage. Rental vehicles can sometimes fall outside the defined terms of "your covered auto" unless specifically included in the policy, and company vehicles typically are covered under separate commercial policies and not personal auto policies. Therefore, temporary substitutes best align with the intent of the coverage and the definitions provided in a standard Personal Auto Policy.