Car insurers have been warned by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of regulatory action unless they stop making misleading savings claims in ads.

This follows an FSA review of press ads for 57 firms, which included those selling home and travel insurance. They have been given the same rebuke.

The FSA says more than half of motor insurance ads with savings claims were unclear or misleading. The watchdog says these ads give the impression most consumers are eligible for savings when only a few are.

Vernon Everitt, FSA retail themes director, says: “Insurance advertising must be clear, fair and not misleading, leaving people with a balanced picture of what’s on offer.”