If your insured wants to borrow a friend's car while theirs is being repaired, what advice should you provide?

The correct answer highlights an important principle in auto insurance regarding permissive use of vehicles. When an individual borrows a friend's car, the insurance policy of the vehicle owner—typically the friend in this scenario—takes precedence, provided that the car owner has given permission for the borrower to drive the vehicle. This means that the friend's insurance policy will be the primary source of coverage if there are any incidents or accidents that occur while the borrower is operating the vehicle.

This situation underscores the significance of having the consent of the vehicle owner, as it directly impacts how the insurance is applied. If the friend did not consent to the use of their vehicle, then coverage could be jeopardized. Therefore, a borrower must always ensure they have the owner's permission to use the car for insurance purposes to ensure that coverage remains in effect.

This understanding also clarifies why the other responses are less applicable. For instance, the concept that an insured's policy is always primary does not account for the nuances of borrowing a vehicle. Additionally, stating that the friend's insurance automatically covers the vehicle overlooks the critical aspect of consent. Lastly, the need for a formal agreement to use the borrowed car is not usually a requirement in casual borrowing scenarios unless the insurance policies specifically dictate such terms. Thus,