Question 1

What is an insurance excess?

Accepted Answer

An insurance excess is the amount you agree to pay towards any claim you make on your car insurance policy. It is the portion of the repair cost that you are responsible for before your insurer covers the rest. For example, if your excess is £500 and the repair costs £2,000, you pay the first £500 and your insurer pays the remaining £1,500.

Question 2

How do I find my total excess?

Accepted Answer

Your total excess is made up of two parts: compulsory excess and voluntary excess. The compulsory excess is set by your insurer and cannot be changed — it varies depending on factors like your age, driving history and the type of claim. The voluntary excess is the amount you chose when you took out or renewed your policy, often to reduce your premium. To find your total, add both together. You can find these amounts on your policy schedule, certificate of insurance, or by logging into your insurer's app or website. If in doubt, call your insurer and ask for your total excess for an accidental damage claim.

Question 3

What are common excess pitfalls to watch out for?

Accepted Answer

Many drivers are surprised by the size of their total excess when they come to claim. A common pitfall is setting a high voluntary excess to get a cheaper premium without realising how much you would need to pay if you had an accident. Another is forgetting that compulsory and voluntary excesses are added together — so a £250 compulsory plus a £350 voluntary means you would pay £600 before your insurer contributes anything. Young or inexperienced drivers often face higher compulsory excesses too. Always check your total excess before renewing your policy so there are no surprises.

Question 4

Is the excess contribution guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

No. The contribution is assessed on a case by case basis and depends on the nature and value of the repair. We will discuss what may be possible when providing your estimate.

Question 5

Do I receive cash back?

Accepted Answer

No. The contribution is applied directly to the repair or excess payment. There is no cash payment to the customer.

Question 6

Does this work with all insurance companies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As long as you choose us as your repairer through your insurance claim, we can discuss a potential contribution towards your excess regardless of which insurer you are with.

Question 7

What if my excess is very high?

Accepted Answer

We assess each case individually. Even with higher excesses, we may be able to contribute. Contact us with your details and we will let you know what is possible.

Excess Contribution at Bodymatters Stafford

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