Rajan Wilcox
Putting the wrong fuel in your car is a common mistake that can have expensive consequences. Misfuelling can cause serious damage to your engine, and in extreme cases, it could even lead to your car being written off. So, does car insurance cover you if you put the wrong fuel in your car? The short answer is that it depends on your insurance policy. While some insurers offer cover for misfuelling, it's not usually included in car insurance policies and is often offered as an add-on. If you're covered, your insurance may pay for the cost of draining and flushing your tank, as well as any necessary repairs. However, it's important to check the terms and conditions of your policy carefully to know exactly what's covered.
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What You'll Learn
Misfuelling cover is rare in standard car insurance policies
Misfuelling cover is not usually included in car insurance policies. Out of 325 comprehensive car insurance policies on Defaqto, only 14% cover misfuelling as standard, and only 2% of the policies could provide misfuelling cover as an optional extra.
Misfuelling is a common mistake, with around 133,000 to 150,000 incidents in the UK every year. It often involves putting petrol into a diesel car, as petrol nozzles are smaller and can fit into diesel tanks. This can cause significant damage to the engine, and in extreme cases, it could lead to a car being written off. Diesel fuel pumps need lubrication to work properly, but petrol has the opposite effect, causing friction between the metal parts.
If your car insurance policy does not cover misfuelling, you may be able to purchase misfuelling cover as an add-on. However, this is becoming less common, as more companies are excluding misfuelling from standard policies. Alternatively, you could consider a standalone breakdown policy, as these typically cover the cost of draining your car's fuel tank and taking it to a garage.
It is important to check the terms and conditions of your car insurance policy to know what is covered. Some policies may cover the cost of repairs, while others may only cover the cost of draining and cleaning the tank. If you have put the wrong fuel in your car, you should contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to find out if you are covered and what steps you should take.
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Breakdown policies may cover the cost of draining the fuel tank
Breakdown cover may be included in your car insurance policy or purchased separately. Most breakdown policies will cover the cost of draining your car's fuel tank and taking it to a garage if required. However, some policies may not cover the cost of draining your tank, so it is important to check the terms and conditions of your specific policy.
If you have breakdown cover, call them for assistance. They may be able to tow your car to a garage and cover the cost of draining and cleaning your fuel tank. If you don't have separate breakdown cover, you can call a breakdown company for assistance, but they may charge you a membership or call-out fee.
It is important to act quickly if you have put the wrong fuel in your car. Do not switch on the engine or put the key in the ignition if you can help it, especially if you have put petrol in a diesel car. This will help contain the mixed fuel in the tank and prevent it from causing permanent damage to your engine.
The cost of repairing or replacing an engine damaged by misfuelling can be significant, ranging from £2,000 to £9,000. Therefore, it is essential to check your policy documents to see if you are covered for misfuelling and contact your insurer as soon as possible if you are covered.
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The cost of repairs may or may not be covered by your insurance
Misfuelling is a common mistake that can, unfortunately, lead to a hefty repair bill. The cost of repairs may or may not be covered by your insurance. It is important to check the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to know what is covered. Car insurance policies can vary greatly between providers. Some policies don't provide any cover relating to misfuelling, while some cover the costs of repairs, the cost of draining and cleaning, or both. Some insurers cover the cost of everything, but others may only pay out for you to get your tank cleaned and drained.
Misfuelling cover isn't often found as a standard feature of car insurance. Out of 325 comprehensive car insurance policies on Defaqto, only 14% cover misfuelling as standard, and only 2% of the policies could provide misfuelling cover as an optional extra. If your policy doesn't cover misfuelling, you may be able to buy it as an optional extra.
If you have breakdown cover, your policy may include the cost of towing, draining and cleaning. If you don’t have breakdown cover, you can call a breakdown company to help out, but they may need you to become a member or charge you an additional fee for the call-out.
Putting the wrong fuel in your car can cause a lot of damage to the engine, especially if you don't notice and drive off. In extreme cases, it could lead to a car being written off. This is because diesel fuel pumps need lubrication to work properly, but petrol has the opposite effect and causes friction between the metal parts.
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Putting the wrong fuel in your car can cause serious damage
Putting the wrong fuel in your car can be a costly mistake and cause serious damage to your vehicle. It is a common error, with an estimated 133,000 to 150,000 incidents occurring in the UK every year. The severity of the damage depends on the type of fuel used and the engine in your car. For example, putting petrol in a diesel car is more serious than the other way around.
If you have not yet turned on the ignition, you are in luck. Do not turn on the ignition and contact the petrol station staff. You will need to get your fuel tank drained to stop the engine from getting damaged. Specialists can tow away your vehicle if the damage is too great. If you have turned on the engine, you may experience engine misfires, poor combustion, and a lack of power, which could result in higher levels of carbon monoxide emissions. Your engine may also start smoking, cut out, or fail to start.
In terms of repairs, you will need to drain the fuel tank, flush the fuel system, and replace any damaged components, such as fuel pumps or injectors. This can be expensive and time-consuming, and additional repairs to other parts of the engine may be required. The cost to drain, make repairs, and replace fuel could add up to as much as £5,000 in extreme cases.
It is important to check the terms and conditions of your car insurance policy to see if misfuelling is covered. Most car insurance policies do not include misfuelling cover, but some may cover the costs of repairs, draining, and cleaning. Breakdown policies are more likely to cover the cost of draining your car's fuel tank and towing it to a garage.
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Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible
If your car insurance policy covers misfuelling, you should contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to make a claim. Before you call, check that you have cover for misfuelling and have your policy number ready. Some insurers cover the cost of everything, but others may only pay out for you to get your tank cleaned and drained, so it's important to know exactly what's covered before you call.
Gather any breakdown or repair receipts you have as a result of the misfuelling, as you may need to use these as proof. Just like any claim you make on your car insurance, a claim for misfuelling is likely to push up your premiums when it comes to renewal. You'll need to balance how much the recovery and repairs will cost you, after any excess is applied, to decide whether it's worth claiming.
If you don't have a copy of your policy documents to hand, you can call your insurance provider to check if you're covered for misfuelling. If you have breakdown cover, call for assistance. Your cover may include the cost of towing, draining and cleaning. If you don’t have breakdown cover, you can call a breakdown company to help out, but they may need you to become a member or charge you an additional fee for the call-out.
Putting the wrong fuel in your car can cause a lot of damage to the engine, so it's important to act quickly. If you've put the wrong type of fuel in your car, don't switch the engine on or put the key in the ignition if you can help it, especially if you've filled your diesel car with petrol. This will help contain the mixed fuel in the tank and stop it from circulating and causing permanent damage.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your insurance provider and the type of cover you have. Misfuelling cover isn't usually included in car insurance, but it may be covered under the accidental damage section of your policy. Some insurers offer it as standard, while others may provide it as an optional extra. Check your policy documents to see if you're covered.
Don't switch the engine on or put the key in the ignition. Get your car towed to a mechanic so they can drain the wrong fuel from your tank and flush your system. If you have breakdown cover, they may be able to assist with towing and draining your tank.
You may have to pay for the cost of draining and cleaning your tank, as well as any repairs or replacement of your engine, out of pocket. The price to fix a car from a fuelling mishap can be steep, ranging from around £200 to drain and clean your fuel tank to £9,000 to replace your engine.
