Yeah, that “regular use” thing is super confusing. I’ve actually asked my agent about it before and even they seemed a bit unsure—like, they just said if someone’s using your car more than “occasionally,” you should probably add them. But what does “occasionally” even mean? Once a week? Twice a month? It feels like they want to keep it vague so they can decide case by case. I get why they do it, but it’s not exactly helpful when you’re trying to do the right thing.
That’s a fair point—it really is vague, and I’ve seen different companies interpret “occasional” in their own way. Have you ever had a claim situation where someone not listed was driving? Sometimes that’s when the gray area gets tested...
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I wouldn’t just rely on permissive use if it’s someone who borrows your car more than once in a blue moon. I’ve heard stories where insurers got picky about what “occasional” really means—like, if your friend drives your car every other weekend, they might say that’s not occasional enough. It’s a bit of a gamble. Personally, I’d rather pay a little extra and have it spelled out on the policy than risk a denied claim over some technicality.
That’s a good point about insurers getting picky. I’ve read some policy fine print that made my head spin—like, what even counts as “regular use”? If my roommate borrows my car for grocery runs every couple weeks, is that too much? I’m leaning toward just adding them, but does anyone know if that bumps your premium up a ton, or is it usually pretty minor? I’d rather not pay more than I have to, but I also don’t want to get burned if something happens.
If my roommate borrows my car for grocery runs every couple weeks, is that too much?
I’ve wondered about this exact thing. When I first got my policy, I asked the agent about “occasional use” and honestly, the answer was vague—something like, if it’s not weekly, it’s probably fine, but they wouldn’t give a straight number. I’m skeptical because it feels like they could use that gray area against you if there’s ever a claim. I haven’t added anyone yet, but I keep thinking it might be safer, even if it means a small bump in premium. Just wish the rules were clearer.
