Ask my local Progressive Insurance Agent: How does coverage transfer from my auto policy to a temporary vehicle?

by barefootins | Jun 5, 2025 | Florida Insurance, Personal Insurance

In the state of Florida, Progressive Insurance generally follows standard auto insurance practices when it comes to temporary substitute vehicles and coverage transfers, but it’s important to review your specific policy for exact terms. Here’s a general breakdown of what is typically considered a temporary vehicle and how liability coverage may transfer:

✅ Definition of a Temporary Vehicle

A temporary substitute vehicle is usually defined as:

“A vehicle you do not own, which is used temporarily in place of your covered vehicle when your vehicle is out of normal use because of breakdown, repair, servicing, loss, or destruction.” For the sake of this post, lets consider that you rented a car from a major rental car agency like Enterprise, Avis or Thrifty, for example and fully paid out of pocket for the rental car.

📌 Requirements for Liability Coverage to Transfer

For Progressive to transfer liability coverage to a temporary vehicle in Florida, the following conditions usually must be met:

1. You must have an active auto policy with Progressive.
2. The temporary vehicle is:
   • Not owned by you or a resident of your household.
   • Being used as a replacement while your covered vehicle is disabled or unavailable.
3. The use must be temporary (short-term use).
4. The replacement must be similar in use to your insured vehicle (e.g., replacing a private passenger car with another private passenger car, not a commercial vehicle).

🚫 When Coverage May Not Transfer

• If the temporary vehicle is rented or leased for an extended period.
• If you’re using a friend’s or relative’s car not as a replacement, but just for convenience.
• If the vehicle is used for business or commercial purposes, unless your policy includes such use.

🛑 Important Caveat:

Progressive (like other insurers) may differ slightly in their policy wording, especially for commercial policies or if you have endorsements added to your plan.

🔍 Best Practice:

To be 100% sure, it’s always best to:

• Review your declarations page and policy wording under the section “Temporary Substitute Vehicle” or “Other Vehicles.”
• Or, call Progressive Customer Service or your local Progressive insurance agent to confirm how your liability coverage would apply in a specific situation.

Are you seeking a local Progressive Insurance Agent? Look no farther than Barefoot Insurance Brokers in Margate, FL, servicing Progressive Insurance clients in Margate, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Coconut Creek and Parkland. Call us today at 954-368-0060 and dial x 1 for new quotes.