All Categories ​>​ ​Car Insurance ​ > ​ ​The Basics ​>​ What is a car insurance excess?

What is a car insurance excess?

An excess is the amount you may have to pay when you make a claim on your car insurance. Depending on the circumstances of your claim, more than one excess may apply (see examples below). For example, you have a Basic Excess of $650 (and no other excesses apply) and your car is damaged in an accident, and the repairs end up costing $5,000, you only have to pay $650 - we would pay the rest.

Excesses that may apply to your claim:

  • Basic Excess: paid out of your pocket when you make a non-recoverable claim. You may be able to reduce your Basic Excess or, for a lower premium, increase it.
  • Age or inexperienced driver excess: an additional excess for younger or less experienced drivers.
  • Unlisted driver excess: if you have to make a claim, but the driver wasn’t listed on your policy, you’ll have to pay an additional excess (over and above your Basic Excess). Note that, to be covered, household members must be listed on your policy.

Was this information helpful?

Powered by HelpDocs (opens in a new tab)