Does auto insurance cover putting in the wrong fuel?

Misfuelling is often an absentminded mistake. For example, you tap the wrong fuel type or forget which car you’re driving and you accidentally put diesel fuel in your car. As a result, you don’t realize you put the wrong fuel in the car tank until it’s too late. 

While this is a common mistake, it has significant repercussions ranging from a damaged engine to repair bills that could run up to thousands of dollars. You may wonder if putting the wrong fuel in your car is covered by insurance. Unfortunately, in most cases, putting the wrong fuel in the car is not covered by insurance.

Since this is an expensive mistake, let’s understand what misfuelling is, how to avoid misfuelling, and what to do if the gas station fills the wrong gas  in your car. If you want to know what to do if you accidentally put diesel in a gas engine, keep reading. 

To ensure your car is covered by insurance due to fuel contamination, compare at least three to four policies today! Enter your ZIP code above to find the best auto insurance rates for you!

Insurance Coverage for Gas Station’s Misfuelling

Misfuelling can cause problems ranging from rattling sounds in the car to engine damage. It can dent your wallet as well. 

Unfortunately, your car insurance does not cover a wrong fuel in a car. Most insurers do not offer insurance for fuel contamination or insurance for misfuelling. This means that car insurance does not cover an engine damage or the costs of draining your fuel tank due to a mistake. However, it might be included if you have a high-coverage policy or mechanical breakdown insurance. Check with your insurance agent or read your policy in detail.

Let’s look at average annual rates by coverage type through some of the more common companies.

Auto Insurance Average Monthly Rates By Coverage Type

As you can see, full coverage is more expensive, but it offers you the most coverage and the least risk.

Misfuelling Explained

Your automobile requires a particular type of fuel. The fuel will be specified in your vehicle’s owner’s manual and, in many cases, inside the door of your gas tank. If you put the wrong gas in your car, i.e., with any other fuel than what’s specifically approved, it could cause serious problems for your vehicle. 

Here are the types of fuel available you’ll find at many gas stations:

• Unleaded
• Super Unleaded
• Premium Unleaded
• E85 (for flex-fuel vehicles)
• Diesel

All these fuels are priced differently. The price point might influence you to opt for cheaper fuel. But choosing fuel based on price point alone can be an expensive mistake. 

What Happens if you Put the Wrong Gas in Your Car

The results of putting a gas in a diesel engine or vice versa will depend on your situation. For example, misfuelling your gasoline car with diesel can be expensive and time-consuming to fix. A gas engine cannot combust diesel, so your car probably won’t start. Engine damage is not likely, but you will have to get your tank drained, which can cost between $500 and $2,000, and possibly pay for towing fees.

If you accidentally put premium gas in a car that doesn’t require it, that’s less of a concern. However, if you put lower octane fuel in a car that requires premium fuel, it may be more noticeable. You will hear a rattling noise from your engine. Luckily, the engine computers will adjust, but you will notice a drop in fuel economy and performance. 

Putting gas in a diesel engine is bad, and actually, the costliest misfuelling mistake. Doing so will lead to engine damage if you do not recognize the mistake in time.

How To Avoid Choosing the Wrong Fuel 

Putting the wrong gas in your car is an easy mistake to make, especially on a car that’s new to you or a rental vehicle. To avoid this problem:

• Know your car. Your owner’s manual will have the fuel type on which your car will run. Only use the fuel specified in the manual. 
• Invest in a misfuelling prevention device. You can invest in a diesel tank insert that refuses standard gas nozzles. 
• Be attentive while refueling your car. Eliminate distractions while refueling your car. Carefully review each fuel station and nozzle to make sure you choose the correct fuel. 

What to do if You Put Diesel in a Gas Engine or Vice Versa

Not all misfuelling errors are the same. For example, if you put the wrong octane fuel in a regular gas engine, you don’t need to take drastic steps. Just be sure you refill correctly next time! On the other hand, if you fuel your diesel car with gas, your car likely will not start, and you’ll need to get your tank flushed. 

Most importantly, you’ll need to take immediate action if you put gasoline in a diesel-powered engine. Don’t turn on the ignition if you realize the fuelling error immediately after fueling. Starting your car will damage the engine. Instead, talk to a mechanic about draining the tank.

What To Know About Misfueling and Insurance

Misfuelling is an easy mistake to make, but it can prove costly. In most cases, insurance does not cover a contaminated fuel. Therefore, it won’t cover the repair expenses for misfuelling, but you should check your policy to be sure. Ultimately, it’s best to make sure you’re focused on the task at hand when you refuel your car.

Finding an auto insurance company that offers great rates and the coverage you need can be tricky. Let us help get multiple quotes for you to compare. Enter your zip now to get quotes on insurance that will cover misfuelling.