Using the wrong fuel to fill up cars is affecting 150,000 UK drivers every year, claims the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba).

The association warns drivers that they should check that their car insurance covers against such an event because repairs can cost up to £5,000.

According to Graeme Trudgill, Biba technical and corporate affairs executive, misfuelling is generally a mistake, therefore most car insurance providers will treat it as accidental damage.

"However if the policy contains a misfuelling policy exclusion, then the motorist is unlikely to be able to claim," he added.

According to Mr Trudgill, if policyholders were not made aware of the exclusion when they brought the policy they have the right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

In 2005 the Association of British Insurers reports that motor insurance claims made up £8.2 billion worth of the £20.7 billion in total claims.

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