Millions of drivers would risk breaking the law by making a fraudulent claims to avoid jeopardising their car insurance payout.

Moneysupermarket.com conducted a survey asking motorists what they would do if they had failed to secure their car properly and it was stolen. 36% said they would tell their insurer the truth, but 33, the equivalent of 11 million drivers, said they would keep it from their insurer. 31% said they were unsure what they would do. The research found that men are more likely to cover up, with 39% reluctant to own up to their carelessness compared to 26% of women.

"It seems many British motorists are ready to cover up their own carelessness, which could have led to the claim for the stolen car in the first place,” says Richard Mason, Director of Insurance at Moneysupermarket.com. "You may think telling a little white lie, or holding back the whole truth is no cause for concern, but if your claim is as a result of your own wrong-doing, then insurers are likely to see it as fraudulent. If claims are regularly being paid out to drivers who don't deserve it, the honest motorist loses out and could see future premiums increase.”

Moneysupermarket.com is urging drivers to not only tell the truth. “Providers may well refuse to cover you in the future, if you are found out, scuppering your chances of driving altogether,” warns Richard Mason.