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Misfuelling: Does car insurance cover it?

26/06/2024


Misfuelling is among the most common causes of breakdown callouts in the UK. Every year thousands of motorists are left in trouble after putting the wrong fuel in their cars – leaving many wondering if their insurance will be able to cover misfuelling and the cost of draining their fuel tank.

Does my car insurance cover misfuelling?

This will depend on the insurer – some providers will include misfuelling cover in their more comprehensive car insurance policies whilst others won’t. Many car insurance and breakdown providers offer misfuelling insurance as an add-on or extra. This means that you can have it added to your existing policy at an extra cost. Many insurers will offer the option to purchase misfuelling cover, so don’t worry if you aren’t covered right now. To find out if your existing car insurance policy has misfuelling cover, check your policy details document for coverage inclusions or contact your provider directly.

What to do if you’ve used the wrong fuel?

Misfuelling can happen to anyone and when it does it’s important to know what to do. Misfuelling is covered by some breakdown insurance policies but this is not standard. This means the costs to drain your fuel tank will not be covered unless specifically stipulated in your policy. Most standard breakdown cover policies will only assist in moving your vehicle to a garage or your home. Including misfuelling in your breakdown policy can get you fuel draining and roadside repair to help get you back on the road ASAP.

Don’t start your car

Trying to drive with the wrong fuel can cause serious damage to your car. If you realised that you’ve made a mistake, stop somewhere safe and switch off your engine.

Contact your breakdown provider

Your policy may offer you cover for misfuelling. Be sure to contact them as soon as you realise the problem.

Drain your fuel tank

If you have breakdown cover in place then you can get your provider to send out a specialist to drain your fuel tank. The cost for correct fuel will typically not be covered.

What should I do if my car insurance doesn’t cover misfuelling?

You can contact your provider and ask them to add this coverage to your existing policy. This will come at an additional cost but it could be well worth the peace of mind. Putting the wrong fuel in your car can cost you anywhere from a few hundred pounds to over a thousand. If your fuel system also needs to be flushed after your fuel tank is drained, then your bill will be even higher. With this in mind, it may well be worth speaking to your provider to see what additional cover can be offered. If you’re curious what breakdown cover options are available , then you can use our comparison tool to compare the best breakdown cover for you.

What happens if I accidently fill a diesel engine with petrol?

Diesel cars use diesel to lubricate the engine and reduce wear and tear. The danger of using petrol in a diesel engine is that petrol is corrosive and can damage your car’s fuel system. In some cases the damage can be so extensive that you’ll need to replace the entire fuel system. To prevent extensive damage to your fuel system and engine, don’t switch on your engine after misfuelling. If your car insurance includes misfuelling then you should contact them immediately to have your fuel tank drained. If you don’t have the relevant insurance in place, you can get emergency breakdown cover and add misfuelling to your cover. Emergency or last minute cover is an expensive option however, so it is advised you already have misfuelling cover in place.

How do I know if I’ve filled up my tank with the wrong fuel?

There are a few signs to watch out for if you think you’ve misfuelled your car. If you notice any of the following, pull over when you can and switch off the engine as soon as possible.

  • The engine will simply not start
  • Slow acceleration
  • Laboured sounds from your engine
  • Your engine cuts out shortly after you refuel
  • Your engine won’t stop running
  • Your engine cuts out and fails to restart
  • Smokey exhaust that’s noticeably worse

Top Tips

If you’ve misfuelled, leave your car off

Push the car to a safe place if able

Let staff at the petrol station know

Notify your provider as soon as possible

What happens if I’m on the road after a misfuel?

You should stop driving immediately and find a safe place to pull over before notifying your insurance. If your car breaks down you should put on your hazards and call for roadside assistance. Getting roadside assistance cover in place could help you out of a sticky situation and mean that you are back on the road without a great deal of hassle. Your standard roadside assistance or breakdown coverage should allow you to get the cost of moving your vehicle to a repair shop covered. It will still need to be determined with your provider if the cost to drain the fuel tank is covered.

What should I do if I think my engine has been damaged by misfuelling?

Getting a mechanical breakdown, sometimes called repair breakdown, cover can be a great way to ensure you have some cover if your vehicle suffers damage whilst in operation. It may be a grey zone from the standpoint of your insurer over whether to cover the wrong fuel rescue or damage to your vehicle from misfuelling. This is always best discussed with your provider directly to ensure you have all the necessary coverage.

How much does mifuelling cost?

Misfuelling can cost you anywhere from around £150 to even £300 depending on your service. This is excluding any additional repairs or work that may need done such as flushing the fuel system – which can add another £200 to £300 to your bill. Having misfuelling cover in place is a small cost compared to paying out of of your own pocket for misfuelling.

How to avoid misfuelling your car

Avoid distractions

Double check pump labels

Purchase a misfuelling prevention cap

Check the nozzel fits properly

Check your fuel cap label

When in doubt, don’t fill up


This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.

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