What is compulsory excess?

This is a mandatory amount deducted from any claim settlement. It’s taken as your contribution to the overall claim cost and is set by the insurer. You also need to consider the voluntary excess (see below). You need to include both to get your total excess payable if you have a claim.

So if you have a compulsory excess of £50 and a voluntary excess of £150 and your claim is for £500, then your total excess is £200 you will receive £300 back from your Insurer. If the accident was not your fault, you may be able to recover your excess from the person to blame (third party) or their Insurers.