Misfueling repair costs hit £5,000

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Motorists who knowingly drive their vehicle after they have accidentally put in the wrong fuel may not receive a pay out from their car insurance company.

Diesel drivers are most at risk of so-called misfueling, according to the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA). Such a mistake could cost more than £5,000 to repair. The group added that it is not covered by nearly a third of car insurance policies.

As many as 30% of major UK insurers would not pay a misfueling claim, BIBA said.

Of the 150,000 misfueling cases every year, 95 per cent are people putting petrol into diesel vehicles due to the wider diesel filler neck and narrower unleaded nozzle.

Graeme Trudgill, BIBA Technical and Corporate Affairs Executive, said: "Nobody is immune to misfueling, from TV celebrities like Philip Schofield to Wayne Rooney's reported misfueling mishap, it is easily done. It is important to speak to your insurance broker to arrange a fully comprehensive policy that covers these unexpected risks."

BIBA advises that in the event of misfueling the motorist should not start the vehicle and ought to notify the petrol station and breakdown company immediately. The possibility exists that an insurer may refuse to pay out in the case of a motorist who knowingly drives their vehicle with the wrong fuel in it because the policyholder may be deemed to have failed in their duty of care.

The cost of repairs can range from £300 for a fuel drain, to over £5,000 if the car is driven causing serious damage to the engine. BIBA is urging consumers to purchase an adequate motor insurance policy from an insurance broker which protects against such an event and not buy solely on price alone.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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