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Wife and I just returned from a drive to Indiana to pick up our two grandsons who had been visiting their other grandparents up there for a few weeks.

To give us more room, and since it's already "set up" for the kids, we used our son & daughter-in-law's van to make the trip.

On the drive up there, the thought occurred to me: since they and we have different insurance policies with different companies, if something happens to the vehicle (fender-bender or whatever), whose insurance pays to repair their van: my insurance, or their insurance?

We made it up there and back (including a side-trip mini-vacation to Branson) with no problems, but I'm still wondering about that situation if it were to come up again?

I would think you need to read both policies. Mine follows me no matter what I drive, but it also covers anyone driving my vehicle.

I've always thought auto insurance was an odd animal. My dad used to tell me about how it used to be driver's insurance and would cover the driver no mater what they were driving. Then years later the auto insurance industry figured out they could start charging more according to the type of vehicle and it became auto insurance. Since I've been paying for auto insurance each policy has listed authorized drivers and has for the last 25 years been just my wife and I, but soon we will have to add our daughter.

Maybe, for situations like this, additional drivers can be added for short periods at minimal cost. A little like when insuring a rental vehicle.

My insurance covers anyone driving that has my permission and also covers me driving any other vehicle that I can lawfully drive.

Owners policy first, yours as a follow on for anything further to the limits of each policy.

Get USAA and worry no more. It is likely cheaper anyway, to boot.

I'm covered for whatever car I drive, as well as anyone driving one of our cars with permission. If I rent a car, pay with a USAA credit card, I'm completely covered and need not pay for all those over priced up sell scams the rental outfits entice one with.

The policy covering the vehicle is primary and the driver's policy is secondary. This is the case whichever insurance carrier you have as long as you purchase your insurance from a reliable carrier and not one of the cut-rate pay by the week insurance carriers.

The benefits some insurance carriers tout like they are unique to them are standard policy terms offered by most other carriers. Some carriers are better at marketing than others and make people feel like they are special members of an exclusive club.

JALLEN wrote:Get USAA and worry no more. It is likely cheaper anyway, to boot.

I'm covered for whatever car I drive, as well as anyone driving one of our cars with permission. If I rent a car, pay with a USAA credit card, I'm completely covered and need not pay for all those over priced up sell scams the rental outfits entice one with.

You don't even need to pay with the USAA credit card as long as you book the car through USAA. I loved that I didn't have to pay ridiculous up charges to rent a car before I turned 25.

mojo84 wrote:e they are unique to them are standard policy terms offered by most other carriers. Some carriers are better at marketing than others and make people feel like they are special members of an exclusive club.

Many of us ARE members of an exclusive club. We get USAA membership, free meals in some places on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, 100% home loans, special notation on our DLs, a break on LTC fees, and the thanks of a grateful nation.

Of course, you don't get that last bit until the officer hands your widow the flag. Better late than never!

Thanks for the replies, folks. I figured theirs would pay first and mine would cover any left over, but I didn't think about the situation before we left, and I haven't had a chance to check the policies since we've been back (still playing catch-up).

As for USAA, that's what son and daughter-in-law have (both Army vets) and they have always been very happy with it. I have Metropolitan (not a veteran). Both quality companies, so I wasn't worried about it, just curious.

My wife likes to tell me that's one (of my many) problems - that I spend too much time thinking about all the various possibilities and potential scenarios, no matter how unlikely, of any given situation. Just something to keep my mind busy, I guess.

thatguyoverthere wrote:I figured theirs would pay first and mine would cover any left over

This is correct, I am actually licensed in property and casualty insurance in the great state of Texas.

JALLEN wrote:

mojo84 wrote:e they are unique to them are standard policy terms offered by most other carriers. Some carriers are better at marketing than others and make people feel like they are special members of an exclusive club.

Many of us ARE members of an exclusive club. We get USAA membership, free meals in some places on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, 100% home loans, special notation on our DLs, a break on LTC fees, and the thanks of a grateful nation.

Of course, you don't get that last bit until the officer hands your widow the flag. Better late than never!

It's apparent you took offense to my commit and also took it out of context. I apologize for offending you.

USAA is a fine insurance company and they are GREAT at marketing. My comment had 100% to do with their insurance coverage and marketing as a company and nothing to do with military service.

There are many that have earned the right to be a member of the club you are talking about, including many of my family members, none of which joined the USAA club. I am externally greatful for all of your sacrifice. However, that has nothing to do with the topic of this thread or representing that USAA is the only company that offers the policy terms and coverage being discussed here.

By the way, since USAA has broadened there membership criteria, there are many members that have done nothing to earn their membership.

mojo84 wrote:

JALLEN wrote:

mojo84 wrote:e they are unique to them are standard policy terms offered by most other carriers. Some carriers are better at marketing than others and make people feel like they are special members of an exclusive club.

Many of us ARE members of an exclusive club. We get USAA membership, free meals in some places on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, 100% home loans, special notation on our DLs, a break on LTC fees, and the thanks of a grateful nation.

Of course, you don't get that last bit until the officer hands your widow the flag. Better late than never!

It's apparent you took offense to my commit and also took it out of context. I apologize for offending you.

USAA is a fine insurance company and they are GREAT at marketing. My comment had 100% to do with their insurance coverage and marketing as a company and nothing to do with military service.

There are many that have earned the right to be a member of the club you are talking about, including many of my family members, none of which joined the USAA club. I am externally greatful for all of your sacrifice. However, that has nothing to do with the topic of this thread or representing that USAA is the only company that offers the policy terms and coverage being discussed here.

By the way, since USAA has broadened there membership criteria, there are many members that have done nothing to earn their membership.

I took no offense whatsoever. When I showed up to report for active duty as a brand new Ensign nearly 50 years ago, another officer was assigned to my orientation. He sat down with this checklist, to go through all the things I needed to be familiar with at the command, on the base, etc. After taking me up to meet the CO, the second thing he did was to suggest I sign up for USAA. Boy was that lucky! Then they showed me where the O Club was, when Ladies Night was, where the barbershop, the Exchange were, where to get ballgame tickets etc.

In the years since, I have saved more on car and home insurance than I MADE the whole time I was in the Navy, active and reserve. The few claims I have had were handled in a straightforward, courteous, timely and satisfactory manner.

When my two sons started driving as teenagers, one of their buddies' father was a State Farm agent. He mentioned he had really good rates for unmarried male teenaged drivers. After I told him what I was paying, he never mentioned it again.

It has been far and away the most valuable reward for military service, except, of course, the thanks of a grateful nation.

Far from being offended, I'm proud of being in the brotherhood (and these days, sisterhood!) of veterans (even though I didn't really actually DO anything) and proud and grateful to have been with USAA all these years. My extra dividend check last year was more than our premium for 3 cars.

It pays to get to the party early, and stay late!

JALLEN wrote: When I showed up to report for active duty as a brand new Ensign nearly 50 years ago, another officer was assigned to my orientation. He sat down with this checklist, to go through all the things I needed to be familiar with at the command, on the base, etc. After taking me up to meet the CO, the second thing he did was to suggest I sign up for USAA. Boy was that lucky! Then they showed me where the O Club was, when Ladies Night was, where the barbershop, the Exchange were, where to get ballgame tickets etc.

Heh, when I showed up at Infantry OCS in '66 as Staff Sargent E-6, they were nice as can be when I presented my orders. I then signed in. Then, all heck broke loose, as they ripped the stripes from my uniform, screamed into my face at close range, told me what a dirt bag I was, and ran me upstairs. Good thing though, within a few days they signed me up for USAA, and I've been a member since. November marks 50 years! never had a single issue with them insurance wise. No muss, no fuss, it's taken care of.

I started with them in 1987 as a Midshipman (Navy Officer Candidate). They've been great with me moving states and 7 or 8 cars later. They have good auto coverage. Homeowners is fairly good too though North Texas is expensive 'cause of the tornadoes. I'm looking at using them for coverage on some rental properties too.