THE UK's leading fleet insurance companies will underwrite Vauxhall's dual-fuel vehicle range at the same premiums as the equivalent single fuel petrol models. Birmingham-based insurance broker Marsh UK has contacted six of the country's top insurers - Allianz Cornhill, CGU, Royal & SunAlliance, Crowe Insurance, Norwich Union and Zurich - and received confirmation that they will underwrite the Vauxhall dual-fuel range as standard vehicles.

'They will therefore not incur any additional premiums,' said John Allcock, Marsh's account manager. He added that the insurers had: 'taken into account the frequency and severity of a potential accident involving Vauxhall dual-fuelled vehicles and are delighted with the insurance risk'. A spokesman for Norwich Union confirmed that the insurer would not treat dual-fuel vehicles any differently to their petrol equivalent. Our experience is that the risk is the same, and it's difficult to come to any other conclusion until we have more of these cars on our books.'

A spokesman for Royal & SunAlliance said it had no plans to charge different premiums for gas-powered cars, but would be monitoring any changes. Ian Palmer, Vauxhall's fleet sales manager, said: 'I believe this decision will end the resistance the public had to dual fuel vehicles because they believed they attract a 10-15% insurance premium. This is also an acknowledgement that Vauxhall has a safe product.'