Car and fuel pump manufacturers are kind to us. They’ve made the diesel nozzle larger than the hole at the top of your car’s petrol tank to make it harder to put in the wrong fuel. But sadly, they can’t save us from the mistake of putting petrol in a diesel car. If you’ve ever done this, you’re not alone. Estimates suggest that it happens every one minute and 45 seconds. This simple mistake can cost you up to £3,000 to put right. But don’t panic. Find out what happens when you put petrol in a diesel engine and how to limit the impact on your wallet with misfuel insurance.

What happens when you put petrol in a diesel car?

Putting the wrong fuel in your car causes damage to the engine, which can result in costly repairs or even a complete engine replacement.

Diesel contains a lubricant, but the addition of petrol reduces this lubrication and means metal parts can rub and become damaged. If you put a very small amount of petrol into a tank that already contains plenty of diesel, the damage will be more limited. But you still need to take action to put things right as soon as possible. If you don’t, you risk various parts of your car’s engine and fuel system being damaged, and that can cost a lot to put right.

What should I do if I put petrol in a diesel car?

If you realise your mistake in time, don’t start your car. As soon as you turn the ignition, the petrol will circulate around the engine, and start to do its damage.

Instead, you’ll need to call for someone who can drain the tank to remove the wrong fuel. If you have misfuel insurance, you’ll be given a 24/7 contact number to get help to you quickly so you can get back on your way. If not, you could call your usual garage or look online for a specialist fuel drain service.

Does my breakdown cover already include fuel draining?

Probably not. Most breakdown cover does not include the cost of a fuel drain or for any repairs or replacement parts.

Is it worth claiming on your insurance?

If you’ve made this mistake you’ll need to carefully weigh up whether it’s worth you claiming the costs back from your insurance company. If you can’t get hold of that amount of cash to put the problem right, you may have no option. But bear in mind that this claim will impact on your no claims bonus, and could see your car insurance prices rise next time you renew.

An alternative, that allows you to claim back the money to fix your car without affecting your no claims bonus is to take out misfuel insurance. This can be a relatively low-cost add-on option to your car insurance. And it will give you the peace of mind you can fix your car without claiming on your normal car insurance.

Do I need misfuel insurance?

Around 300,000 of us put the wrong fuel in our car every year. We can all have momentary lapses in concentration when we’re at the pumps. So really, misfuel insurance is something for everyone to consider.

Cheap misfuel insurance

Call our friendly team at Easy2Insure on 0800 917 9522 or get in touch to find out just how little you’ll need to pay for misfuel insurance. We’re an independent insurance brokerage, so we’ll shop around to find you the best price out there, giving you peace of mind for less.

The yellow of daffodils illuminating gardens and hedgerows is a sure sign that warmer weather is just around the corner. For campervan owners that means it won’t be long until you can head back out on the road. So grab your scrubbing brush and hold on to your dipstick: here are our top 9 tips to get your campervan summer ready.

1) Get scrubbing

First, start with the outside. Scrub away the dirt accumulated over the winter months. Polish. Then stand back and think about all the admiring glances you’ll be getting when you park up at the campsite this season. But giving your campervan a good clean is more than just a chance to get it looking its best. It will also get you up close to the paintwork to check for any signs of rust or deterioration of the seals around the glass or lights.

2) Are you ready to go?

There’s no point having a gleaming campervan if it won’t go. Leaving your campervan over winter could have left the batteries flat unless it’s been hooked up to a trickle charger. Now is the time to get behind the wheel and try to start her up!

3) Other essentials

Before you set off on your adventures it’s also wise to check oil levels and fill it up if needed. Checking the lights are all working too can give you peace of mind that you won’t discover only one light is working when you’re negotiating a dark Cornish lane.

4) Tyres

Whilst they may not have got any wear whilst being parked up over winter, you still need to check your tyres. Look for signs like cracking to see if the tyre wall is starting to perish. If it is, it’s worth replacing tyres sooner rather than later as you don’t want to risk a blow-out. Also check your tyre pressure, as being parked up can lead to pressure dropping. If you drive with your campervan tyres too low, it can lead to uneven wear and could even increase your fuel consumption! And don’t forget to check your spare too.

5) What about on the inside?

Your campervan might be clean and the engine working well, but is it somewhere you really want to sleep in? Water leaks and condensation can lead to mould and mildew. So pull on your rubber gloves and clean out the inside. You also need to try and keep it dry to stop the problem coming back. Have a really good look around to see if you can spot where water is getting in so you can fix it. Window and door seals are the most common culprits. And try using some dehumidifying crystals to reduce moisture in the air too.

6) Water and waste

Mould and mildew may also have infiltrated your water and waste systems over the cooler months. Flush out systems and give them all a good clean.

7) Fire safety

It’s wise to carry a fire extinguisher in your van so you can deal with any emergencies quickly. But did you know fire extinguishers have a limited life span? Check it’s still in date and if not, make sure you replace it. It could save your life.

8) Paperwork essentials

Finally, before you head off on the open road, don’t forget to check your paperwork is all up to date. You’ll need a valid MOT, road tax, and insurance. If these are not in order, you risk hefty fines that will be a sure way to ruin your trip away. You can check if your MOT is still valid here. And find out if your vehicle tax has run out here.

Specialist campervan insurance will ensure you’re covered for some of the extras you might not have thought about, like your awning or generator. And for a stress-free road trip, take out breakdown cover at the same time. Then, you’ll know that even if you breakdown you can travel on to your destination or home without any hassle.

9) Finding cheap campervan insurance you can count on

Shopping around is always the first step towards finding the best price for your insurance. But your campervan is a specialist vehicle, and standard car insurance won’t cut it. That means it can be hard to know where to start looking for campervan insurance. And it can be time-consuming to call around or fill in multiple online forms.

Why choose Easy2Insure?

• We’re independent insurance brokers, so our job is to shop around on your behalf to find you the best price – saving you time and hassle
• Our expert advisors truly understand the specific insurance needs of campervan, motorhome and caravan owners. For your peace of mind, we’ll make sure any extras you need are covered
• We are part of the highly respected Park Insurance Group, so we’re in a great position to negotiate cheap insurance deals from top UK insurance companies
• Whether you only want your campervan insurance for home or you need European or worldwide cover, we can source it
• We’re here 24/7 to answer your questions and help you

Call us on 0800 917 9522 or get in touch today for your free, no-obligation quote.

Blockchain technology allows information to be shared but not copied. It was originally devised for Bitcoin but is now finding a use amongst insurance companies. It gives these companies quick access to reliable data, reducing fraud and speeding up processes.

What does this mean for you?

• Blockchain processes are quick and efficient. Multiple claims for the same event can be effectively blocked, reducing fraud and hopefully reducing insurance costs for law-abiding customers.

Cheap insurance you can count on

For quality insurance at a great price, call our expert team at Easy2Insure or get in touch.

This winter is proving one of the most challenging for drivers in recent years. Britain has been battered by storms, blizzards, and freezing temperatures, which have sometimes made getting from A to B a challenge. In some places, drivers have been warned not to travel. And some who have ventured out have been left stranded in their cars and trucks. If staying at home is not an option for you, be prepared with our guide to driver safety in cold weather:

Do you know what to do if your vehicle starts sliding on ice towards another vehicle or solid object?

Snow and ice can make for difficult driving conditions. If you start to slide, you’ll have little control of your vehicle and that can result in accidents.

Here are our top tips on what to do if you start to skid:

• Try to stay calm
• Don’t hit the brakes
• Take your foot off the accelerator so you start to gently slow down
• Try to keep the steering wheel straight
• If the back end of the vehicle starts to swing out, gently turn the steering wheel in the same way as you’re sliding. This only needs to be a slight adjustment, not a sharp turn. If you turn your wheel in the opposite direction to the side that your car rear is spinning you risk skidding

Prevention is better than cure

Whilst the tips above might help you to cope if you start to skid, it’s always better to try to avoid getting into that position in the first place. When driving in wintery conditions:

• Slow down
• Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front
• Check your tyres have plenty of tread to give you better grip on the road

What is black ice? And how can you spot it?

Black ice is just like any kind of ice. It forms on roads when surface water freezes. It’s called black ice because you often can’t see it and it just blends in with the ‘black’ colour of the road. And that can make it very dangerous if you unexpectedly hit it when you’re driving.

And it’s not just snow and ice that can cause problems on the roads in winter…

Winter storms can bring flash flooding to roads. Coupled with the early, dark nights, driving home from work in wet weather can be fraught with danger.

If there’s been heavy rain, always remember that you could face flooding on the roads. A blocked drain can swiftly turn a normally clear road into a paddling pool. Even on roads that you’re very familiar with, drivers can be taken unaware by just how deep surface water on the road is.

Also, bear in mind that the air intakes in many vehicles, including some BMWs, can be set under the engine bay, and quite low to the road. This means that negotiating even quite shallow water could destroy your engine and leave you with a complete write-off.

Make sure your insurance covers you

No matter how much caution you take when driving in the winter, accidents can and do happen.

With car insurance seeming to cost more each time you renew, it can sometimes be tempting to cut back on cover to save a few pennies. But if something does go wrong, it could end up costing you a lot more in the long run.

Instead, if you want to save money but still be sure of a robust policy that will give you peace of mind, use an independent insurance broker like Easy2Insure to shop around and find you a better deal.

Car insurance extras to consider for added peace of mind in winter weather

• You might also want to consider taking out a separate cosmetic insurance policy. This lets you fix the smaller, cosmetic-only prangs to your car’s bodywork without impacting on your future no-claims bonus for your car insurance.
• Avoid being stuck on the side of the road for hours on a cold winter’s night with breakdown cover. This add-on to your insurance can be a cost-effective way to buy the peace of mind that a trained mechanic can come to either fix your car and get you back on your way again or they can tow you and your car to safety.

Get cheap car insurance

Do you know where to start looking for the best price on car insurance? Let our expert team at Easy2Insure shop around on your behalf. For a no-hassle, free quote, call us on 0800 9179522 or get a quote.