Are exclusions different depending on the type of car insurance?<\/h3><\/div>![\"Danny](\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/07\/Danny-Butler.jpg\")
<\/p>
Finder insurance expert Danny Butler<\/a> answers <\/em><\/div><\/div>In short, yes. The exclusions we\u2019ve highlighted in this guide are common to almost all car insurance policies. However, the specific details of each exclusion, and precisely what exclusions apply, will vary between insurers. That\u2019s why we bang on so much about reading terms and conditions before you buy. Not only can it help you choose the right cover, but it can help you avoid falling foul of unexpected exclusions.<\/p>
The other key factor that affects what\u2019s excluded is the level of cover you have. As you\u2019d expect, basic third-party<\/a> cover has the most exclusions, while comprehensive<\/a> cover has the fewest. Third-party, fire and theft<\/a> cover falls somewhere in between.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>What doesn\u2019t comprehensive car insurance cover?<\/h3>
Comprehensive car insurance protects you against a lot of risks, including accidental damage to your own car and any harm you cause to third parties or their property, plus fire, weather damage, vandalism and theft.<\/p>
It won\u2019t cover you for general wear and tear (the cost of replacing worn brake discs, say), a punctured tyre after driving over a nail, or (in most cases) putting the wrong fuel in the tank. It also won\u2019t cover any claims that are linked to certain general exclusions. Among others, these include driving a car that isn\u2019t roadworthy, so keeping on top of that wear and tear maintenance is crucial. As standard, you also usually won\u2019t be covered if you use your car for work purposes other than commuting.<\/p>
What doesn\u2019t third-party car insurance cover?<\/h3>
Third-party car insurance will have all of the exclusions of comprehensive cover, plus you won\u2019t be covered for theft of or damage to your own car, whatever the reason. So if you\u2019re involved in an accident with another car, and it\u2019s your fault, third-party insurance will pay out for damage to the other car. But you\u2019ll have to fork out for any repairs to your own car yourself.<\/p>
Common car insurance exclusions<\/h3>
Here are some important car insurance exclusions that apply to almost every policy. Some mean you won\u2019t be paid out for any sort of claim made where the exclusion is in play, or could even invalidate your policy. Some of these are more obvious than others, so don\u2019t risk falling foul. If you get into an accident and your claim can be traced to any of these exclusions, then your insurer may reject it.<\/p>
Other exclusions specifically restrict certain claims, but won\u2019t put your entire policy at risk.<\/p>
Common exclusions that could result in any claim being rejected<\/h3>1. Using your car for work (if you don\u2019t have business cover)<\/h4>
\u201cRenting\u201d your car to a friend for a couple of months while their vehicle is off the road? Driving for a rideshare service such as Uber and using your car to earn some extra cash?<\/p>
In both of the above scenarios, if your car was damaged by an insured event and you only had regular car insurance, your claim would likely be rejected. All standard, comprehensive car insurers exclude claims that arise while your car is being used for hire, fare or monetary reward.<\/p>
Even if you\u2019re not planning on becoming an Uber driver, there are other, seemingly innocuous, business uses that aren\u2019t usually covered as standard. For example, while commuting to a regular place of work may be included, if you drive somewhere else for work purposes (to a training centre, for example), this may be excluded. And don\u2019t blithely offer to help your boss get some work equipment from A to B using your personal car. This may also count as a business use and risk rendering your car insurance invalid.<\/p>
Don\u2019t take the risk. Check your car insurance terms and, if need be, buy temporary business car insurance<\/a>.<\/p>2. Modifying your car (without telling your insurer)<\/h4>
Although the approach to modifications<\/a> differs slightly between insurers, it\u2019s always a good idea to get your insurer\u2019s approval before making any changes to your vehicle.<\/p>Any alterations to the standard body, engine, suspension, wheels or paintwork of your car that have an effect on its performance, safety levels, appearance or value may influence your insurer\u2019s decision about whether or not to cover you. This means you\u2019ll need to get the OK first, even if the alterations are essential (to accommodate a disability, for example).<\/p>
Once you make any unauthorised changes to your car, it becomes a different vehicle to the one your insurer originally agreed to cover. So if you don\u2019t tell your insurer about any modifications you\u2019re planning, future claims could be refused.<\/p>
3. Listing the main driver of a car as a named driver<\/h4>
Most car insurance policies let you add other people as \u201cnamed drivers<\/a>\u201c. This covers them to drive the car under the same terms as the main driver.<\/p>In some cases, it can even reduce the policy-holder\u2019s car insurance premiums. If, for example, the main driver is young and inexperienced, adding a more experienced parent as an occasional named driver could reduce the overall risk in the insurer\u2019s eyes, and cut costs.<\/p>
But, importantly, the person that drives the car the most must be listed as the main driver. Trying to reduce costs even further by listing the experienced driver as the main driver and the less experienced driver as an additional driver, even though the less experienced driver uses the car the most, is a type of insurance fraud. It\u2019s called \u201cfronting\u201d. If the insurer finds out, it\u2019s likely to result in any claims being rejected, whoever was driving at the time. It could also completely invalidate the policy and even result in a fraud prosecution.<\/p>
4. Trying to squeeze too many people (or things) into your car<\/h4>
It shouldn\u2019t come as any surprise to find out that driving your car while it\u2019s overloaded is a dangerous (and illegal) practice. It is therefore excluded from car insurance cover. The overloading exclusion applies to the following scenarios:<\/p>
- Carrying more passengers than the car was designed for.<\/li>
- Carrying more passengers than the car is permitted to carry by law.<\/li>
- Carrying any load which is not properly secured according to law.<\/li>
- Carrying any load that is over the legal limit.<\/li>
- Carrying any load that is more than your car is designed to carry or tow.<\/li><\/ul>
Take special note of the towing exclusion. If you\u2019re planning to tow a trailer or caravan<\/a>, check your car manufacturer\u2019s specifications to find out how much your vehicle can safely tow.<\/p>5. Hitting the race track<\/h4>
Do you feel the need\u2026 the need\u2026 for speed? Sorry, Maverick. Indulging in your supersonic speed desires could cause any resulting car insurance claims to be rejected.<\/p>
Standard car insurance will not cover you if you participate in any kind of motor sport in your car, such as:<\/p>
- On a permanent or temporary racetrack<\/li>
- In a four-wheel drive adventure park<\/li>
- For racing<\/li>
- For trials, speed tests, rallies, contests or hill climbs<\/li>
- For endurance or skills tests<\/li><\/ul>
Unsurprisingly, you also won\u2019t be covered if your claim arises because you were participating in street racing, or driving recklessly (donuts, burnouts and the like).<\/p>
Of course, some cars want nothing more than to be let out on the race track. If you\u2019ve bought a car with this in mind, get yourself specialist track day insurance to satisfy your speed demons with a financial safety net in place. Otherwise, it might be time to put your need for speed to one side and focus on your need to drive safely and maintain your car insurance cover.<\/p>
6. Driving a car that isn\u2019t roadworthy<\/h4>
When you take out car insurance cover, one of your obligations under the insurance contract is to keep your car in good condition. This means it needs to be well maintained, roadworthy and safe to drive.<\/p>
With this in mind, it\u2019s essential to:<\/p>
- Replace old, worn-out tyres \u2013 the minimum legal tyre tread depth, according to the UK Tyre Law, is 1.6mm<\/b> in a continuous band around the middle three-quarters of the tyre.<\/li>
- Replace broken or defective lights.<\/li>
- Replace worn-out brakes.<\/li>
- Repair any major rust problems.<\/li>
- Fix worn upholstery.<\/li>
- Repair major scratches and dents you do not claim under your policy.<\/li><\/ul>
Don\u2019t rely on your annual MOT to guarantee that your car is roadworthy. It will only confirm that it\u2019s roadworthy on the date of the MOT itself. If things go downhill in the 12 months before your next check-up, you could still fall foul of this insurance exclusion. Pay close attention to any advisories you\u2019re given as part of the MOT, and keep a regular eye on the condition of your car.<\/p>
7. Failure to report an accident<\/h4>
With premiums increasing after every claim made, it\u2019s no surprise that drivers might choose to repair minor damage themselves and keep their no-claim bonus<\/a>. <\/a><\/p>However, you still have to inform your insurer about any damage from an accident, even if you don\u2019t want to make a claim. If you don\u2019t, it could cause your insurer problems if any third-party decides to make a claim. It could also mean that any later claim made following a more serious accident might be thrown out, if your insurer spots the previous damage.<\/p>
8. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs<\/h4>
This one should go without saying \u2013 but we\u2019re going to say it anyway because it\u2019s important. If you get behind the wheel having drunk more alcohol than is legally permitted in the UK, expect a claim to be rejected.<\/p>
This exclusion also applies to drugs or prescription medications that have a significant impact on your reactions or thought processes.<\/p>
And don\u2019t think you can get away with it by refusing to take a test to check for drugs, alcohol or medication in your blood. Doing so will also likely cause any related claims to go against you.<\/p>
It\u2019s worth pointing out that the act of drink driving itself doesn\u2019t void any claim made by a third party for injury or damage. Insurance companies are still obliged to pay out for any third-party claim. The problem is, the insurers could decide to seek these costs back from you.<\/p>
9. Driving without a licence, or driving an unregistered vehicle<\/h4>
If you don\u2019t have a valid licence when you get behind the wheel of your car, don\u2019t expect your insurer to cover you for any incidents that may occur. This exclusion also applies if you have failed to renew a time-restricted licence in time, or if you\u2019re in control of a vehicle you\u2019re not licensed to drive. So make sure you regularly check your licence expiry date and check any terms and conditions that may be attached before hitting the road.<\/p>
You would also compromise your insurance cover if you don\u2019t:<\/p>
- Register your car with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency<\/li>
- Renew your car tax<\/li>
- Have a current MOT certificate<\/li><\/ul>
Forgetting to renew your tax is an easy mistake to make, especially now that tax discs are a thing of the past. Make sure you\u2019ve got all the proper documentation and made the necessary payment to be sure of maintaining cover.<\/p>
10. Fibbing to your insurer<\/h4>
It\u2019s almost impossible to untangle the complex algorithms that dictate how each insurer decides what premiums to charge. But there are some things that we know will tend to push up car insurance premiums.<\/p>
While some, such as your age, are near-impossible to fudge, it can be tempting to see some others as open to interpretation.<\/p>
Don\u2019t. Bending the truth about how far you drive in a year<\/a>, where you keep your car \u201cmost of the time\u201d, or what you do for a living could come back to bite you by invalidating your insurance policy and rendering it worthless.<\/p>And don\u2019t risk fibbing by omission either. Moved to a new address or got a promotion at work? Don\u2019t let it slip your mind to inform your insurance company straight away. You risk your insurer refusing to pay out for claims if you fail to inform them about these changes.<\/p>
You are legally obliged to tell your car insurance provider the truth (as best you can). If your circumstances change, inform the company immediately as your premium may need to be recalculated.<\/p>
Common exclusions that could mean certain claims aren\u2019t covered<\/h3>1. General wear and tear or gradual deterioration<\/h4>
Even comprehensive car insurance won\u2019t cover any claims that arise due to gradual deterioration or general wear and tear to parts of your vehicle. Insurance policies are designed to provide financial protection against unexpected events and mishaps. They won\u2019t deal with the general ageing and deterioration that occurs naturally with regular use of your car.<\/p>
This means you won\u2019t be covered for claims caused by (for example):<\/p>
- Wear and tear<\/li>
- Rust or corrosion<\/li>
- Mould<\/li>
- Mildew<\/li>
- Rot<\/li>
- Damp<\/li><\/ul>
So instead of relying on your car insurer to cover every single little thing that could eventually wear down on your vehicle, it\u2019s your responsibility to stay on top of ongoing maintenance and any minor repair requirements as they arise.<\/p>
2. Tyre damage<\/h4>
Tyres are a tricky area of car insurance. As well as there being a general requirement to keep your tyres in good nick in order for your car insurance to be valid, the tyres themselves may also be excluded from cover in certain circumstances. For example, your car insurance is unlikely to provide any cover for tyre damage caused by braking, punctures, cuts or bursts.<\/p>
Sadly, even the freshest tyres may not hold up against a particularly vicious pothole or a pot of nails spilled on the road. But making sure you replace your tyres before they get too worn will help minimise the risk of problems.<\/p>
3. Personalised number plates<\/h4>
Personalised number plates are big business; in 2020, the DVLA sold more than 400,000 of them via its online service. But they don\u2019t come cheap \u2013 some of the most desirable plates can cost tens of thousands of pounds.<\/p>
Which makes this particular exclusion a frustration to anyone that\u2019s shelled out that much. Most insurers won\u2019t specifically cover the loss of a personalised number plate, and those that do may cap the payout.<\/p>
The way personalised number plates work means that, when you buy them, they are assigned to a specific vehicle. You have to go through an official process if you want to transfer your rights to the number plate to another car, or retain it on a certificate. That means that, if you don\u2019t want to risk losing your rights, and the money you\u2019ve shelled out for those rights, you need to tell your insurer and jump onto the transfer process as a matter of urgency.<\/p>
4. Filling your car up with the wrong fuel<\/h4>
Eek! You\u2019ve just switched cars from a diesel to a petrol model, and you\u2019ve refuelled on autopilot. Yep, that\u2019ll be several gallons of diesel straight into the tank of a car that can\u2019t use it, and will break if you try to drive it.<\/p>
It\u2019s a common mistake but, sadly, one that\u2019s often not covered by car insurance. According to financial insight firm Defaqto, 80% of car insurance policies exclude misfuelling as standard. Only a handful offer it as a paid-for extra.<\/p>
If you make this mistake, whatever you do, don\u2019t drive your car as this could make the problem worse. Even car breakdown cover won\u2019t guarantee to get you sorted, as many of these exclude misfuelling as standard too. Unless you\u2019re lucky enough to have a car insurance or breakdown policy that covers it, sadly you may simply need to suck up the cost of paying for your tank to be drained and cleaned.<\/p>
Compare quotes with Confused.<\/a><\/p>Bottom line<\/h3>
Make sure you understand what\u2019s covered under your car insurance and what\u2019s not covered before hitting the road. This is especially important when cancelling policies or switching insurers<\/a>. Check your terms and conditions carefully to avoid a surprise when it\u2019s time to make a claim, and compare your options to find the best cover.<\/p>Frequently asked questions about car insurance<\/h3>- \n \n
\n
<\/p>
In short, yes. The exclusions we\u2019ve highlighted in this guide are common to almost all car insurance policies. However, the specific details of each exclusion, and precisely what exclusions apply, will vary between insurers. That\u2019s why we bang on so much about reading terms and conditions before you buy. Not only can it help you choose the right cover, but it can help you avoid falling foul of unexpected exclusions.<\/p>
The other key factor that affects what\u2019s excluded is the level of cover you have. As you\u2019d expect, basic third-party<\/a> cover has the most exclusions, while comprehensive<\/a> cover has the fewest. Third-party, fire and theft<\/a> cover falls somewhere in between.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article> Comprehensive car insurance protects you against a lot of risks, including accidental damage to your own car and any harm you cause to third parties or their property, plus fire, weather damage, vandalism and theft.<\/p> It won\u2019t cover you for general wear and tear (the cost of replacing worn brake discs, say), a punctured tyre after driving over a nail, or (in most cases) putting the wrong fuel in the tank. It also won\u2019t cover any claims that are linked to certain general exclusions. Among others, these include driving a car that isn\u2019t roadworthy, so keeping on top of that wear and tear maintenance is crucial. As standard, you also usually won\u2019t be covered if you use your car for work purposes other than commuting.<\/p> Third-party car insurance will have all of the exclusions of comprehensive cover, plus you won\u2019t be covered for theft of or damage to your own car, whatever the reason. So if you\u2019re involved in an accident with another car, and it\u2019s your fault, third-party insurance will pay out for damage to the other car. But you\u2019ll have to fork out for any repairs to your own car yourself.<\/p> Here are some important car insurance exclusions that apply to almost every policy. Some mean you won\u2019t be paid out for any sort of claim made where the exclusion is in play, or could even invalidate your policy. Some of these are more obvious than others, so don\u2019t risk falling foul. If you get into an accident and your claim can be traced to any of these exclusions, then your insurer may reject it.<\/p> Other exclusions specifically restrict certain claims, but won\u2019t put your entire policy at risk.<\/p> \u201cRenting\u201d your car to a friend for a couple of months while their vehicle is off the road? Driving for a rideshare service such as Uber and using your car to earn some extra cash?<\/p> In both of the above scenarios, if your car was damaged by an insured event and you only had regular car insurance, your claim would likely be rejected. All standard, comprehensive car insurers exclude claims that arise while your car is being used for hire, fare or monetary reward.<\/p> Even if you\u2019re not planning on becoming an Uber driver, there are other, seemingly innocuous, business uses that aren\u2019t usually covered as standard. For example, while commuting to a regular place of work may be included, if you drive somewhere else for work purposes (to a training centre, for example), this may be excluded. And don\u2019t blithely offer to help your boss get some work equipment from A to B using your personal car. This may also count as a business use and risk rendering your car insurance invalid.<\/p> Don\u2019t take the risk. Check your car insurance terms and, if need be, buy temporary business car insurance<\/a>.<\/p> Although the approach to modifications<\/a> differs slightly between insurers, it\u2019s always a good idea to get your insurer\u2019s approval before making any changes to your vehicle.<\/p> Any alterations to the standard body, engine, suspension, wheels or paintwork of your car that have an effect on its performance, safety levels, appearance or value may influence your insurer\u2019s decision about whether or not to cover you. This means you\u2019ll need to get the OK first, even if the alterations are essential (to accommodate a disability, for example).<\/p> Once you make any unauthorised changes to your car, it becomes a different vehicle to the one your insurer originally agreed to cover. So if you don\u2019t tell your insurer about any modifications you\u2019re planning, future claims could be refused.<\/p> Most car insurance policies let you add other people as \u201cnamed drivers<\/a>\u201c. This covers them to drive the car under the same terms as the main driver.<\/p> In some cases, it can even reduce the policy-holder\u2019s car insurance premiums. If, for example, the main driver is young and inexperienced, adding a more experienced parent as an occasional named driver could reduce the overall risk in the insurer\u2019s eyes, and cut costs.<\/p> But, importantly, the person that drives the car the most must be listed as the main driver. Trying to reduce costs even further by listing the experienced driver as the main driver and the less experienced driver as an additional driver, even though the less experienced driver uses the car the most, is a type of insurance fraud. It\u2019s called \u201cfronting\u201d. If the insurer finds out, it\u2019s likely to result in any claims being rejected, whoever was driving at the time. It could also completely invalidate the policy and even result in a fraud prosecution.<\/p> It shouldn\u2019t come as any surprise to find out that driving your car while it\u2019s overloaded is a dangerous (and illegal) practice. It is therefore excluded from car insurance cover. The overloading exclusion applies to the following scenarios:<\/p> Take special note of the towing exclusion. If you\u2019re planning to tow a trailer or caravan<\/a>, check your car manufacturer\u2019s specifications to find out how much your vehicle can safely tow.<\/p> Do you feel the need\u2026 the need\u2026 for speed? Sorry, Maverick. Indulging in your supersonic speed desires could cause any resulting car insurance claims to be rejected.<\/p> Standard car insurance will not cover you if you participate in any kind of motor sport in your car, such as:<\/p> Unsurprisingly, you also won\u2019t be covered if your claim arises because you were participating in street racing, or driving recklessly (donuts, burnouts and the like).<\/p> Of course, some cars want nothing more than to be let out on the race track. If you\u2019ve bought a car with this in mind, get yourself specialist track day insurance to satisfy your speed demons with a financial safety net in place. Otherwise, it might be time to put your need for speed to one side and focus on your need to drive safely and maintain your car insurance cover.<\/p> When you take out car insurance cover, one of your obligations under the insurance contract is to keep your car in good condition. This means it needs to be well maintained, roadworthy and safe to drive.<\/p> With this in mind, it\u2019s essential to:<\/p> Don\u2019t rely on your annual MOT to guarantee that your car is roadworthy. It will only confirm that it\u2019s roadworthy on the date of the MOT itself. If things go downhill in the 12 months before your next check-up, you could still fall foul of this insurance exclusion. Pay close attention to any advisories you\u2019re given as part of the MOT, and keep a regular eye on the condition of your car.<\/p> With premiums increasing after every claim made, it\u2019s no surprise that drivers might choose to repair minor damage themselves and keep their no-claim bonus<\/a>. <\/a><\/p> However, you still have to inform your insurer about any damage from an accident, even if you don\u2019t want to make a claim. If you don\u2019t, it could cause your insurer problems if any third-party decides to make a claim. It could also mean that any later claim made following a more serious accident might be thrown out, if your insurer spots the previous damage.<\/p> This one should go without saying \u2013 but we\u2019re going to say it anyway because it\u2019s important. If you get behind the wheel having drunk more alcohol than is legally permitted in the UK, expect a claim to be rejected.<\/p> This exclusion also applies to drugs or prescription medications that have a significant impact on your reactions or thought processes.<\/p> And don\u2019t think you can get away with it by refusing to take a test to check for drugs, alcohol or medication in your blood. Doing so will also likely cause any related claims to go against you.<\/p> It\u2019s worth pointing out that the act of drink driving itself doesn\u2019t void any claim made by a third party for injury or damage. Insurance companies are still obliged to pay out for any third-party claim. The problem is, the insurers could decide to seek these costs back from you.<\/p> If you don\u2019t have a valid licence when you get behind the wheel of your car, don\u2019t expect your insurer to cover you for any incidents that may occur. This exclusion also applies if you have failed to renew a time-restricted licence in time, or if you\u2019re in control of a vehicle you\u2019re not licensed to drive. So make sure you regularly check your licence expiry date and check any terms and conditions that may be attached before hitting the road.<\/p> You would also compromise your insurance cover if you don\u2019t:<\/p> Forgetting to renew your tax is an easy mistake to make, especially now that tax discs are a thing of the past. Make sure you\u2019ve got all the proper documentation and made the necessary payment to be sure of maintaining cover.<\/p> It\u2019s almost impossible to untangle the complex algorithms that dictate how each insurer decides what premiums to charge. But there are some things that we know will tend to push up car insurance premiums.<\/p> While some, such as your age, are near-impossible to fudge, it can be tempting to see some others as open to interpretation.<\/p> Don\u2019t. Bending the truth about how far you drive in a year<\/a>, where you keep your car \u201cmost of the time\u201d, or what you do for a living could come back to bite you by invalidating your insurance policy and rendering it worthless.<\/p> And don\u2019t risk fibbing by omission either. Moved to a new address or got a promotion at work? Don\u2019t let it slip your mind to inform your insurance company straight away. You risk your insurer refusing to pay out for claims if you fail to inform them about these changes.<\/p> You are legally obliged to tell your car insurance provider the truth (as best you can). If your circumstances change, inform the company immediately as your premium may need to be recalculated.<\/p> Even comprehensive car insurance won\u2019t cover any claims that arise due to gradual deterioration or general wear and tear to parts of your vehicle. Insurance policies are designed to provide financial protection against unexpected events and mishaps. They won\u2019t deal with the general ageing and deterioration that occurs naturally with regular use of your car.<\/p> This means you won\u2019t be covered for claims caused by (for example):<\/p> So instead of relying on your car insurer to cover every single little thing that could eventually wear down on your vehicle, it\u2019s your responsibility to stay on top of ongoing maintenance and any minor repair requirements as they arise.<\/p> Tyres are a tricky area of car insurance. As well as there being a general requirement to keep your tyres in good nick in order for your car insurance to be valid, the tyres themselves may also be excluded from cover in certain circumstances. For example, your car insurance is unlikely to provide any cover for tyre damage caused by braking, punctures, cuts or bursts.<\/p> Sadly, even the freshest tyres may not hold up against a particularly vicious pothole or a pot of nails spilled on the road. But making sure you replace your tyres before they get too worn will help minimise the risk of problems.<\/p> Personalised number plates are big business; in 2020, the DVLA sold more than 400,000 of them via its online service. But they don\u2019t come cheap \u2013 some of the most desirable plates can cost tens of thousands of pounds.<\/p> Which makes this particular exclusion a frustration to anyone that\u2019s shelled out that much. Most insurers won\u2019t specifically cover the loss of a personalised number plate, and those that do may cap the payout.<\/p> The way personalised number plates work means that, when you buy them, they are assigned to a specific vehicle. You have to go through an official process if you want to transfer your rights to the number plate to another car, or retain it on a certificate. That means that, if you don\u2019t want to risk losing your rights, and the money you\u2019ve shelled out for those rights, you need to tell your insurer and jump onto the transfer process as a matter of urgency.<\/p> Eek! You\u2019ve just switched cars from a diesel to a petrol model, and you\u2019ve refuelled on autopilot. Yep, that\u2019ll be several gallons of diesel straight into the tank of a car that can\u2019t use it, and will break if you try to drive it.<\/p> It\u2019s a common mistake but, sadly, one that\u2019s often not covered by car insurance. According to financial insight firm Defaqto, 80% of car insurance policies exclude misfuelling as standard. Only a handful offer it as a paid-for extra.<\/p> If you make this mistake, whatever you do, don\u2019t drive your car as this could make the problem worse. Even car breakdown cover won\u2019t guarantee to get you sorted, as many of these exclude misfuelling as standard too. Unless you\u2019re lucky enough to have a car insurance or breakdown policy that covers it, sadly you may simply need to suck up the cost of paying for your tank to be drained and cleaned.<\/p> Compare quotes with Confused.<\/a><\/p> Make sure you understand what\u2019s covered under your car insurance and what\u2019s not covered before hitting the road. This is especially important when cancelling policies or switching insurers<\/a>. Check your terms and conditions carefully to avoid a surprise when it\u2019s time to make a claim, and compare your options to find the best cover.<\/p>What doesn\u2019t comprehensive car insurance cover?<\/h3>
What doesn\u2019t third-party car insurance cover?<\/h3>
Common car insurance exclusions<\/h3>
Common exclusions that could result in any claim being rejected<\/h3>
1. Using your car for work (if you don\u2019t have business cover)<\/h4>
2. Modifying your car (without telling your insurer)<\/h4>
3. Listing the main driver of a car as a named driver<\/h4>
4. Trying to squeeze too many people (or things) into your car<\/h4>
5. Hitting the race track<\/h4>
6. Driving a car that isn\u2019t roadworthy<\/h4>
7. Failure to report an accident<\/h4>
8. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs<\/h4>
9. Driving without a licence, or driving an unregistered vehicle<\/h4>
10. Fibbing to your insurer<\/h4>
Common exclusions that could mean certain claims aren\u2019t covered<\/h3>
1. General wear and tear or gradual deterioration<\/h4>
2. Tyre damage<\/h4>
3. Personalised number plates<\/h4>
4. Filling your car up with the wrong fuel<\/h4>
Bottom line<\/h3>
Frequently asked questions about car insurance<\/h3>
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