Glossary

Insured

Any person a policy protects, including the named insured, household relatives and often permitted drivers, depending on the coverage.

Also called: insured person, covered person, the insured

An insured is anyone who qualifies for protection under an insurance policy. In auto insurance the term is broader than the person who bought the policy, the named insured, and its exact meaning comes from each coverage's definition of an "insured" or "covered person."

Under a typical personal auto policy, insureds for liability coverage include you, your spouse if a resident of your household, other resident relatives (see household member), anyone using your covered car with permission and, in some cases, a person or organization legally responsible for your driving, such as an employer when you run a work errand. For coverages that protect you, such as medical payments, personal injury protection or uninsured motorist coverage, insureds usually include you, resident relatives and occupants of your covered car.

The distinction matters when a claim arises. A friend who borrows your car is usually an insured for liability under permissive use, but may not be for every coverage, and an excluded driver is not an insured at all. The policyholder owns and controls the policy, pays the premium and receives the notices, while other insureds simply benefit from it. Read the definitions section of your policy to see who counts for each coverage.

Last reviewed October 4, 2026

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Related terms

Named insured The person or business listed by name on the declarations page as the policy's owner, with the broadest coverage and most rights under the contract. Policyholder The person or business that owns an insurance policy and pays for it, with the right to change or cancel it. Household member A person who lives in your home, usually a relative, whom auto policies often cover automatically and may require you to list. Permissive use Coverage for someone who drives your car with your permission but is not listed on your policy, typically on an occasional basis. Excluded driver A specific person listed on a policy as not covered to drive the insured cars, often used to keep a high-risk household member from raising premiums.

Related guides

Insuring a car that is not in your name Why insurers want the owner on the policy, how to insure a car titled to a parent, partner or friend, and when a non-owner policy fits better. Who is covered on your car insurance policy Who your auto policy protects: named insureds, spouses, household family members, listed and excluded drivers, and friends who borrow your car.