Britons have been found to have a tendency to tell the odd fib when taking out car insurance policy, risking invalidating their whole cover according a UK trade body has revealed.

The Association of British Insurers(ABI) has revealed that they are discovering an increasing amount of fraud within the insurance industry, many car related, all in an attempt to keep premiums low.

Common practices amongst fraudsters include failure to disclose driving convictions and fronting, a practice where parents add their offspring to their motor insurance cover as an occasional driver, even though they are the main driver.

Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health, said: "Honesty is the only policy. Cheating to get cheaper insurance puts your cover in jeopardy, with potentially disastrous consequences.

"Being truthful and shopping around will mean that your insurance delivers when you need it, and that you get the best possible deal." He added.