In a personal auto policy, which policy is considered primary regardless of who is driving the vehicle?

In a personal auto policy, the insured's policy is considered primary regardless of who is driving the vehicle. This means that if the insured's vehicle is involved in an accident, it is the insured's auto insurance that will respond first to cover any damages or claims arising from the accident. This primary coverage applies whether the insured is driving the vehicle, or if another authorized driver operates it.

The insured vehicle's policy is designed to follow the vehicle itself, providing coverage to anyone who has permission to drive it. This principle ensures that the auto policy's coverage is stable and consistent, which is beneficial for all authorized drivers and any potential claims that arise.

In contrast, other options, such as the driver's policy or the passenger's policy, may provide coverage under specific conditions or secondary to the insured's policy. The driver's policy generally applies only when the driver is operating their own vehicle or a vehicle not covered by another primary insurance policy. The same principle applies to the passenger's policy and the secondary driver's policy, both of which may not have automatic primary coverage for accidents involving the insured's vehicle.