Motor Excess Insurance Calculator – Find Your Ideal Excess Level (2025)
Estimate how voluntary and compulsory excess amounts affect your insurance premium and total cost after a claim.
How Motor Excess Works
Understanding car insurance excess helps you make informed decisions about your coverage and costs.
Car insurance excess is the amount you agree to pay when making a claim. It consists of two parts:
Compulsory Excess
Set by the insurer based on your risk profile. Younger drivers and high-performance vehicles typically have higher compulsory excess amounts.
Voluntary Excess
Chosen by you to reduce your premium. Higher voluntary excess means lower annual costs but higher out-of-pocket expenses if you claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about motor insurance excess
Compulsory excess is set by your insurer based on risk factors like age and vehicle type. Voluntary excess is an additional amount you choose to pay to reduce your premium. Both amounts are added together when you make a claim.
Choose an excess amount you can comfortably afford to pay in an emergency. Consider your driving history, annual mileage, and savings. Most drivers choose between £200-£500 voluntary excess for optimal balance.
Usually not. Most insurers only allow excess changes at renewal time. Some may allow changes mid-policy for a fee, but this varies by provider.
Not always. If the claim is deemed not your fault and the other driver's insurer accepts liability, you may be able to recover your excess. Some policies also offer excess-free claims for windscreen damage or emergency repairs.
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