Help for buying your car insurance online

The information below can help you complete the details for your car insurance. But if you're still not sure, please call us on 0330 053 0256.

Your excesses explained

An excess is the amount that you pay towards the cost of a claim for loss of or damage to your vehicle.

If you choose to protect your no claims discount, additional excesses may apply. Additional excesses are not included in the table of excesses provided with your online quote – they're shown in the insurer's specific terms and conditions. We'll ask you to check these terms before you accept the quote.

Compulsory excess

This is the amount your insurer will ask you to pay. The compulsory excess is preset by the insurer.

Voluntary excess

This is how much you should be prepared to pay on top of the compulsory excess specified by the insurer. The higher the voluntary excess you select, the lower your premium could be. When a claim by you is settled by the insurer, you have to pay the combined compulsory and voluntary excess.

Here's an illustrative example:

Our Motor Legal Assistance service can help you recover these excesses from a third party if the incident can be proven to be their fault.

Protected no claims discount (PNCD)

If you choose PNCD as part of your quote, it will normally allow you to have up to two non-recoverable claims in a 3- or 5-year period without affecting your no claims discount.

This optional PNCD can add around 15% to the cost of your premium, and the premium might still increase at renewal.

Remember, in the event of a claim, your no claims discount could be reduced the next time you renew your policy if your insurer cannot recover their costs from the person responsible.