Wrong Fuel, Zero Claim: Is Your Car Insurance Safe?
If your older car isn't compatible with E20 petrol (20% ethanol blend) but you fill it up anyway, your insurer can reject your damage claim, calling it driver negligence. Here's what you must know.
One tank of wrong fuel can cost more than 6 months of car EMIs — and your insurer won't cover it.
Your motor insurance may pay nothing if you use the wrong fuel
Key Takeaways
Check your car's owner manual or manufacturer website right now to confirm whether your model is E20-compatible before your next fuel stop.
Call your motor insurer and ask in writing whether E20-related engine or fuel system damage is covered under your current policy.
If your car is not E20-compatible, stick to E10 or standard petrol pumps — ask the pump attendant which grade they're dispensing before filling up.
If your older car isn't compatible with E20 petrol (20% ethanol blend) but you fill it up anyway, your insurer can reject your damage claim, calling it driver negligence. Here's what you must know.
Here's what happened: E20 fuel — petrol blended with 20% ethanol — is now being rolled out at pumps across India as part of a government push.. Older cars (pre-2023 models in most cases) are not built to handle high-ethanol blends, and using E20 can damage fuel lines, seals, and the engine.. Insurers like ICICI Lombard have signalled that filing a claim for such damage may be treated as owner negligence, making the claim void..
What you should do: Check your car's owner manual or manufacturer website right now to confirm whether your model is E20-compatible before your next fuel stop.. Call your motor insurer and ask in writing whether E20-related engine or fuel system damage is covered under your current policy.. If your car is not E20-compatible, stick to E10 or standard petrol pumps — ask the pump attendant which grade they're dispensing before filling up..
Cars sold in India from 2023 onwards are mandatorily E20-compatible. If your car is older, check the fuel filler cap — some manufacturers printed a 'E10 max' warning there.
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- [1]“No insurance claim for E20 fuel damage in older, non-compatible cars? ICICI Lombard says it can be treated as negligence” mint - money · 14 Jun 2026
This article is reported by GoCredit's Editorial Team based on the source above. GoCredit synthesises, contextualises, and adds India-borrower-relevant analysis. We are not the original publisher.