Drivers are being warned they could get a 'hefty' and unexpected bill if they do not check their insurance small print for "loopholes".
Consumer group Which? analysed 49 policies from insurers and said it found some gaps in coverage for personal belongings and "surprising" exclusions for courtesy cars.
The majority of policies it looked at contained some kind of coverage for belongings - so if a person's car is damaged or stolen, they can claim for items that need to be repaired or replaced.
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But, Which? discovered that not all types of belongings are covered.
Some things not included in the policies are cash, documents and credit cards with four in 10 (40 per cent) policies with personal possessions cover excluding mobile phones from coverage.
Which? also found that only around a quarter (24%) of policies will pay for someone to recover illegal clamping or towing fees, while just three in 10 (31%) will help deal with legal costs related to a car’s licence plate being cloned.
While all policies have some provision for courtesy car cover as standard, only a fifth offered a temporary replacement vehicle if someone's vehicle is stolen, and just a fifth do so if it is written off.
Most policies have the option to upgrade to this feature to make it more comprehensive, but drivers should not assume the cover as given, Which? cautioned.
Which? found the “rarest” feature it looked at is guaranteed cover for driving other cars, but in more than a third (37%) of policies, it applies only in emergencies.
Meanwhile, seven in 10 (69%) policies offer help in the event that someone fills their petrol tank with the wrong fuel, but only one in five (18%) will assist with both draining the tank and repairing the engine - half (51%) of policies do one or the other, Which? found.
Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, said: “Our research shows that motorists risk facing hefty bills when things go wrong as a large number of policies don’t cover incidents or possessions you might expect.
"With the cost of living biting, this means car problems could be disastrous for those on low incomes, or with limited savings.
“We would urge drivers to read the small print. If you’re comparing two similarly priced policies, the bills you can rack up by falling foul of car insurance loopholes could dwarf the extra amount you would pay for the more expensive cover.
“Anyone who’s unhappy with how their insurer has handled a claim should always shop around when it’s time to renew. You could save hundreds of pounds by switching insurers, while getting the right cover to suit your needs.”
A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said: “Every day motor insurers pay £22 million in claims to private motor insurance customers, with 99% of all claims paid.
“Insurers remain committed to ensuring value-for-money cover and want drivers to understand exactly what they are covered for. We urge motorists to check the scope of cover provided and speak to their motor insurer if unclear.”
