What is EXCESS insurance?
In simple terms, most insurance policies carry either a compulsory or voluntary excess, which is a fixed amount that you must pay out if you make a claim on your insurance policy. Progressively, insurance companies have increased premiums higher than inflation rises, so it is now common for them to also impose higher excesses, which can mean that for relatively minor accident claims, you can pay most of the cost of the claim.
This means that policyholders who think that they are fully covered, are not. As an example, if your policy excess is £500 and your claim is for £900, your insurance provider will pay only £400 of the cost, leaving you to make up the balance of £500.
Whichever way you look at it, you will always pay the cost of the policy excess unless you have it insured with Excess Protection Insurance.
The following is a menu of our Excess products from which you may choose to learn more, quote and buy. It represents the briefest summary of policy benefits as a simple guide; therefore, you should also read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and the Insurance Policy Information Document (IPID) and policy wording for the appropriate product to ensure that the policy meets your needs.
Personal Excess Policies
Buildings & Contents (Home excess)
For the excess of your home and contents insurance of your principal place of residence in the UK in respect of claims arising from accidental damage, fire, theft, flood or vandalism. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000.
Lifestyle XS (Home & Motor)
For the insurance excess of your home and contents insurance (principal residence in the UK) and one of either a personally owned and insured car or motorbike registered at your principal place of residence, used for Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work (but not as a taxi). Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000.
Personal Motor Excess
For the insurance excess of a personally owned and insured car or light commercial vehicle (not exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW), used for Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work (but not as a taxi). Excess cover limits available are from £100 up to £2,000.
Multi Vehicle
For the insurance excess of either personally owned and insured cars or motorbikes (not modified ones), up to a maximum total of three vehicles registered at the family address, used for Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work (but not as a taxi). Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £1,000.
Motorcycle Excess
For the insurance excess for one personally owned and insured motorbike (not a modified one), used for Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work (but not as a taxi or courier). Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000.
Motor Homes
For the insurance excess for one personally owned and insured motorhome not exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW, used for Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work (but not as a taxi. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000.
Car & LCV Rental Excess EU Annual
For personally rented cars or light commercial vehicles where you are responsible for the insurance excess in respect of the rental agreement within the territory of Europe (as defined) but cover only extends to the UK for light commercial vehicle rentals. Can cover up to 4 people living at the same address. Cover up to 31 days for only one vehicle rented at a time.
Cover is provided if there is any physical loss or damage to the rental vehicle for which you are responsible under the terms of the car/LCV rental agreement.
In addition, you are covered for loss or damage to personal possessions (with exclusions for some items) if stolen from your rented vehicle and rented vehicle keys, rented vehicle misfuelling and unintentional lockout of a rented vehicle when the keys are locked inside.
Car & LCV Rental Excess WW Annual
For the insurance excess for one personally owned and insured motorhome not exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW, used for Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work (but not as a taxi. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000.
For personally rented cars or light commercial vehicles where you are responsible for the insurance excess in respect of the rental agreement within the territory of Worldwide (as defined) but cover only extends to the UK for light commercial vehicle rentals. Can cover up to 4 people living at the same address. Cover up to 31 days for only one vehicle rented at a time.
Cover is provided if there is any physical loss or damage to the rental vehicle for which you are responsible under the terms of the car/LCV rental agreement.
In addition, you are covered for loss or damage to personal possessions (with exclusions for some items) if stolen from your rented vehicle and rented vehicle keys, rented vehicle misfuelling and unintentional lockout of a rented vehicle when the keys are locked inside.
Personal and/or Business Excess Policies
Business Car (SME)
For one personally owned car or a business owned car, used for business purposes including commercial purposes including hire and reward or as a licensed taxi, where you are responsible for the car’s insurance excess. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000.
Commercial Driver Excess Policy
For personally owned or business owned light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes GVW (e.g. vans) used for business purposes, including as a courier but not as a taxi, where you are responsible for the vehicle’s insurance excess. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000.
Minibus
For the insurance excess of either one personally owned minibus used for Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work or one used as a licensed taxi. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000.
Business Excess Policies
Commercial Combined
For the excess of a commercial combined business insurance policy for a limited company covering valid claims for:
- Material Damage
- Business Interruption
- Employers Liability
- Public Liability
- Product Liability
- Errors and Omissions
- Contract Works
Tradesman
For the excess of a commercial combined business insurance policy for a sole proprietor or partnership covering valid claims for:
- Material Damage
- Employers Liability
- Public Liability
- Product Liability
- Errors and Omissions
- Contract Works
Fleet and Commercial Combined 5,10,15,20 Unit
For the fleet vehicle insurance excess of a commercial fleet comprising wholly of no more than 20 commercial vehicles which do not exceed 44 tonnes (includes cars but not motorbikes or taxis).
There are 4 Commercial Vehicle Fleet XS policies which cover either up to 5 vehicles, up to 10 vehicles, up to 15 vehicles or up to 20 vehicles (20 being the maximum). Although aggregate cover levels may range from £1000 to £6,500, the maximum level of cover for any one XS claim is £2000 and cover will run until the renewal date of your main commercial fleet insurance, when it will then be renewable in conjunction with your main commercial fleet insurance policy.
Fleet Multiple Vehicles 1 per vehicle <= 4
For the excess of commercial fleet vehicle insurance, insuring the excess individually for commercial vehicles up to 44 tonnes GVW, from fleets wholly comprising of no more than 20 such vehicles (includes cars but not motorbikes or taxis). May be used as an alternative to Commercial Fleet XS or in conjunction with it. Various cover options available up to £2,000 per vehicle (but whichever limit chosen will apply to all vehicles).
Commercial Motor < 3.5 tonnes
For the excess of light commercial vehicle fleet insurance, for vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW, from fleets comprising wholly of such vehicles between 21 and 50 in number (includes cars but not motorbikes or taxis). Various cover options available up to £2,000 per vehicle (but whichever limit chosen will apply to all vehicles). May be used for one or more light commercial vehicles up to a maximum of 50; however, each vehicle will be insured separately. If the fleet comprises of less than 21 vehicles, then the Commercial Fleet XS policy must be used.
Taxi
For the excess of licensed taxi insurance for one car only and for one or more cars from a fleet of no more than 50 taxi cars. In the case of a fleet, the cars will be insured separately and cover also extends to Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000 and the cover level chosen will apply to all taxis.
Motor Trader Excess
For the excess of motor trader insurance for trade plates, where no more than 50 trade plates are insured under the motor trader insurance. Each trade plate will be insured separately. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000 and the cover level chosen will apply to all trade plates.
Driving Instructor
For the excess of licensed driving instructor insurance for one car only and for one or more cars from a fleet of no more than 50 such cars. In the case of a fleet, the cars will be insured separately and cover also extends to Business Use Class 3, domestic and pleasure as well as driving to and from your place of work. Excess cover limits available are from £250 up to £2,000 and the cover level chosen will apply to all cars.