Which situation would qualify a vehicle as a temporary substitute under personal auto coverage?

A vehicle qualifies as a temporary substitute under personal auto coverage when it is used as a replacement for the insured vehicle while it is out of service, typically due to repairs or maintenance. In this context, using another family member's vehicle while your own is in the shop fits the definition of a temporary substitute. The coverage applies because the insured vehicle is not available for use, and therefore, the individual is utilizing another vehicle on a temporary basis, thus still within the bounds of their auto insurance policy.

Renting a vehicle, while it may provide coverage in many policies, typically does not fall under the category of a temporary substitute since it is a rental rather than a personal vehicle being used as a replacement. Similarly, using a friend's vehicle does not qualify because it does not involve the insured's own vehicle being inoperable — it’s more of a general use case rather than a substitute situation. Lastly, purchasing a new vehicle before selling the old one does not meet the criteria because it does not imply that the original vehicle is currently unavailable for use; instead, both vehicles are in the ownership of the insured during that time.