Who is generally excluded from being an "insured" driver under a Personal Auto Policy?

In the context of a Personal Auto Policy (PAP), an "insured" driver typically includes those who have permission to use the vehicle, such as family members, friends, or a spouse. However, a critical aspect of auto insurance is that coverage does not extend to individuals operating the vehicle without permission. This means that if a driver takes a vehicle without the owner's consent, they are excluded from the definition of "insured" under the policy. Therefore, if an accident occurs while such an individual is driving, the insurance company may deny coverage for any claims arising from that incident. This exclusion is in place to protect the insurer from liabilities incurred by unauthorized use of the vehicle.