Drivers confused about insurance policies

About 80 per cent of drivers don't fully understand their motor insurance policies.

This is according to a new report by data analytics expert Consumer Intelligence, which found drivers have an average of more than two paid-for add-ons with their car insurance policy – but just one in five say they fully understand the extra cover they have.

Breakdown cover was identified as the least well-understood additional policy with more than two out of five wrongly believing all policies provide cover from the first instalment.

Consumer Intelligence's research shows 22 per cent of motor insurance customers are confident they know the full details of the cover provided by the add-ons on their motor policy. Around a quarter (24 per cent) admit to being in the dark about the extra cover they have bought.

Add-ons include a wide range of additional cover such as Protected No Claims Discounts, Uninsured Driver Cover, Windscreen Cover, Legal Expenses, Courtesy or Hire Car, Breakdown (UK/European), Personal Injury Cover, Personal Belongings Cover, Key Cover and Wrong Fuel Cover.

Consumer Intelligence's research found 89 per cent of drivers are willing to pay for at least one add-on to their motor insurance with Protected No Claims Discounts seen as the most valuable.

John Blevins, Consumer Intelligence product manager, said: "Add-ons are clearly very much valued by drivers as they are willing to pay extra on their car insurance for them."It is however worrying that so few people fully understand the cover they have and are either not making the full use of it or believe they have more cover than they do."