Car insurance policies are deliberately designed to confuse customers, according to one in five motorists polled by swiftcover.com.

Researchers from the car insurance provider also found 42 per cent of Britons have trouble understanding the terms used in their policy, leaving them unsure about what they are and aren't covered for.

Despite the fact many car insurance customers increase their voluntary excess as a means of reducing the cost of premiums, nearly a quarter of those questioned admitted they don't know what voluntary excess means.

Tina Shortle, swiftcover.com marketing director, further revealed that 17 per cent of car insurance customers don't actually read their policies in the first place.

"Some drivers struggle with the terms used in their insurance, but it's vital that they read and understand their insurance policies so they know exactly what they are covered for," she remarked. "Car insurance is very complex, so this means that the wording used in policy terms and conditions can be fairly complicated."

Other revelations to emerge from the research include that 17 per cent of motorists think a "fully comprehensive" policy means they can drive any car, while nine per cent believe it means anyone can drive their car.

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