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Motorhome Breakdown Cover – Is Misfuelling Included? – Know Your Policy

Misfuelling means filling up your car with the wrong type of fuel. This could involve putting petrol in a diesel vehicle or vice versa. In the UK, misfuelling is very common. And because of the damage this can cause to a car’s engine, adding the wrong fuel collectively results in thousands of pounds worth of misfuelling costs across the country.

Using the wrong fuel can happen for many reasons. Commonly, drivers put their regular fuel in a vehicle they wouldn’t normally drive such as a hire car, a new car or a borrowed vehicle, or they have a lapse in concentration whilst at the pump.

It’s easier to add petrol to a diesel vehicle than it is to fill a petrol car with diesel, due to the wider opening on the diesel nozzle. Misfuelling in this way can also cause more extensive damage to the engine.

Signs of misfuelling

Some common signs that might signal you’ve used the wrong type of fuel include the engine warning light showing, misfiring, a loss of power and/or your vehicle struggling to start. Of course, you might also realise you’ve chosen the wrong fuel at the pump before you even attempt to restart your vehicle. If this happens, you’ll need to be aware of what to do.

What to do if you add the wrong fuel

If you realise you’ve filled up with the wrong fuel before getting back in your motorhome or campervan, don’t attempt to start your vehicle. It’s easier to fix the issue if the fuel has not yet been circulated into the engine. If you’ve already started the engine or driven away, pull into a safe place as soon as you can and call for assistance from your breakdown company, who should be able to provide misfuel recovery.

Depending on the extent of the damage, they might be able to fix the problem at the roadside by emptying the tank, or your vehicle could end up needing to be towed to a garage.

Many drivers assume that misfuelling cover is automatically included in their policy. But this is not always the case; if it is covered, there may be extra costs for repairing the damage.

Does breakdown cover include misfuelling protection?

Most companies will provide cover to tow your vehicle in the event of repairs being needed. However, they’re unlikely to cover misfuelling costs such as the draining or flushing of your vehicle, especially if you’ve already driven away from the pump. Driving your vehicle with the wrong fuel can be classed as a general claim and you’re likely to be charged your policy’s excess.

Even those who offer cover for accidental damage might not always protect against misfuelling. This could leave you with a bill of around £250 or more, depending on the extent of repairs needed, which is why it’s important to understand what is covered in your policy.

Preventing misfuelling

There are steps you can take to ensure you don’t fill your car up with the wrong fuel and end up with a bill that could spoil your motorhome or campervan trip:

  • Double check the labels – Fuel caps often display a sticker labelling the correct fuel to be used so make sure to check this before filling up, especially in an unfamiliar vehicle. It’s worth double checking the fuel pump labels too before you pull the handle.
  • Look at the hose colour – Green usually indicates petrol and black is normally used for diesel. However, don’t assume this is always correct and make sure to read the labels or ask for assistance if you’re unsure.
  • Add a misfuel prevention device – If you have a diesel vehicle, it’s worth adding a misfuelling prevention cap such as Fuel Angel, which will stop you from being able to fill your motorhome up with petrol. The cap replaces the current one on your vehicle and prevents you from attaching a petrol nozzle.

Choose Comfort Insurance for your motorhome and campervan breakdown cover

Our motorhome and campervan breakdown cover gives you protection and peace of mind on all your adventures. We provide misfuelling recovery at the point of entry as well as cover for transporting your vehicle to a repairer. We’ll also dispose of the fuel for you, leaving you free to get on with your trip. So, wherever your mobile home from home takes you, we’ll be with you.

Contact our helpful team via email at info@comfort-insurance.co.uk. Alternatively, call us on 0208 984 0666 and see how we can help protect you in the event of a breakdown or misfuelling incident.

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Comfort Insurance

We’re a family run business with over 30 years' experience in the provision of specialist motorhome and campervan insurance. With a wealth of awards under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing a friendly and professional service, offering you the most comprehensive cover money can buy -  starting from just £220!

Comfort Insurance

We’re a family run business with over 30 years' experience in the provision of specialist motorhome and campervan insurance. With a wealth of awards under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing a friendly and professional service, offering you the most comprehensive cover money can buy -  starting from just £200!