🚗 What Is a Voluntary Excess – And How Much Should You Choose?
đźš— What Is a Voluntary Excess – And How Much Should You Choose?
“Hang on… you’re saying you’d have to pay £500 before your insurance even covered anything?”
That was my reaction recently when I helped my parents renew their car insurance. Like a lot of people, they’d clicked through to the cheapest quote years ago — and hadn’t looked at the details since. They had no idea what “voluntary excess” meant, or that it could seriously affect them in the event of a claim.
It got me thinking: how many of us actually understand how voluntary excess works? Whether you're 25 or 85, choosing the right excess can help you save money and avoid nasty surprises later on.
đź’ˇ What Is a Voluntary Excess?
Voluntary excess is the amount you choose to pay towards a claim, on top of the compulsory excess set by your insurer. So if your compulsory excess is £250 and you set your voluntary excess at £250, you'd have to pay £500 total before your insurance even starts helping.
Yikes — especially if you didn’t realise you’d agreed to it.
đź’¬ Why Choose a Voluntary Excess at All?
Because it can reduce your premium. Insurers reward you for sharing the risk — but too high an excess, and it could cost you dearly if something goes wrong.
🎯 So What’s the Right Amount?
đźš— Young/New Drivers
Tempted to crank the excess up to lower those painful premiums? Just be careful — make sure you can actually afford to pay it if needed.
👉 Suggested range: £250–£500
👨👩👧👦 Families & Multi-Car Households
Balance is key — you don’t want a claim to throw off your household budget.
👉 Suggested range: £100–£250
👵 Older Drivers (70s and 80s)
Often low mileage and careful drivers — so there's no need to set the excess too high.
👉 Suggested range: £100–£250, especially on a fixed income
🔍 Things to Watch Out For
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Look at total excess (compulsory + voluntary combined)
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Check exclusions (like windscreen or theft cover)
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Think about protecting your No Claims Bonus
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Don't just click “cheapest” — compare what's covered
đźš— Why It Matters
Too many drivers only find out about their excess when they need to claim — and by then it’s too late. Whether you’re buying a used car, helping family with their insurance, or renewing online, take two minutes to double-check your excess settings.
At Simon Shield Cars, we’ve seen it all — and while we’re not insurance brokers, we’re always happy to chat and share what we know, because driving should be confident, not confusing.
🙋 Need a hand understanding your car setup — or helping a parent or partner get it sorted?
Fill out the contact form , give us a call, or pop by the forecourt in Great Bricett. We’re happy to help.