Misfuelling could cost you thousands - can car insurance help?

More than 80,000 searches are made for variations of the question 'what to do if you put the wrong fuel in your car?' in the UK each year. 

That’s according to a recent report by Independent Advisor Car Insurance. Figures from the RAC suggest that around 150,000 Brits make this mistake annually, highlighting that 'misfuelling' is more common than you may realise. 

The Independent Advisor report also says that draining the wrong fuel from your vehicle could set you back between £120 and £1,000 in best-case scenarios. However, extended driving with the wrong fuel can significantly increase repair costs. 

Here, we look into the costs of misfuelling and whether car insurance can help. 

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How much will the damage cost?

Misfuelling is an expensive mistake which could set you back in the thousands. 

According to the Independent Advisor report, the cost of draining contaminated fuel ranges from £120 to £1,000 in best-case scenarios. 

However, depending on factors such as how long you've driven with the wrong fuel and potential repairs needed, costs can escalate substantially. 

According to the RAC, costs could potentially reach up to £5,000 in extreme cases.

• Find out more: Best car insurance policies

Can car insurance help? 

Not every car insurance policy will include misfuelling cover.

43% of the 61 policies we reviewed earlier this year included misfuelling as standard in their policies, with a further 10% offering it as an optional extra.

If your policy does cover misfuelling, it usually pays for draining and flushing your fuel tank, and sometimes repairs resulting from the mistake. Carefully read your policy to understand what's included.

What to consider when choosing a misfuelling insurance policy

Depending on your vehicle model, misfuelling insurance could be an affordable addition to your car insurance or bought as a standalone. 

When choosing a misfuelling insurance policy, consider these factors:

• Coverage details: some policies only cover the cost of draining and cleaning the tank, while others also cover repair costs.
• Policy limits: check the maximum amount the policy will reimburse for misfuelling expenses.
• Excess: find out if there is an excess amount you need to pay when making a claim.
• Availability: since misfuelling cover does not necessarily come as standard, check if it can be added to your existing car insurance or if you need to buy it separately.

Find out more: How to find cheap car insurance

Breakdown cover vs. car insurance 

Similar to car insurance, not every breakdown policy will include misfuelling cover.

Out of 44 breakdown cover policies we reviewed, 41% included misfuelling services as a standard feature and 18% as an optional extra. 

It's important to note that the review assessed the inclusion of misfuelling services at the brand level. For example, Start Rescue and Green Flag include misfuelling cover in all their policies. The comprehensiveness of each policy was not considered in this assessment. 

If you're unsure whether your current breakdown cover includes misfuelling, check your policy documents. Whether it’s part of your car insurance or standalone breakdown cover, having misfuelling protection can save you from expensive repair bills and hassle.

• Find out more: Best car breakdown providers 

How can you tell if you’ve put the wrong fuel in your car?

Immediate signs of misfuelling include:

• For petrol in a diesel car: loud knocking sounds, excessive smoke from the exhaust, loss of power, engine warning lights and difficulty restarting.
• For diesel in a petrol car: engine misfiring, smoke from the exhaust, engine cutting out, and difficulty restarting.

Find out more: Concerned about rising fuel costs? Check out our petrol vs diesel fuel calculator. 

What should you do after putting the wrong fuel in your car?

If you think you may have filled up with the wrong fuel: 

• Before starting the engine: keep the ignition off, inform the petrol station, put the car in neutral, move it to a safe place, and call for help to drain the fuel system.
• After starting the engine: turn off the engine immediately if safe, move to a safe spot, put the vehicle in neutral, and contact breakdown cover or a specialist to drain and flush the fuel system. 

If you have misfuelling cover, be sure to contact your insurance company or breakdown cover to minimise damage and repair costs.

• Find out more: Best car insurance for no-claims discounts 
  
  

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