The excess is the part of a repair bill you agree to pay when you claim on your own policy. After a non-fault accident it is one of the most common questions we get, so here is how it actually works.
When an excess applies
If you claim on your own comprehensive policy, your excess is normally deducted, even when the accident was not your fault. Insurers then try to recover their outlay, including your excess, from the other party.
If the other insurer accepts liability, your excess is usually refunded once recovery completes. That can take weeks or months.
↑ Back to contentsRoutes that avoid paying up front
Where the other driver has admitted liability, the repair may be arranged through their insurer instead, in which case there is normally no excess for you to pay.
Every route has trade-offs on speed, choice of repairer and paperwork. We talk them through with you before you commit to anything.
- Claiming on your own policy: fastest to start, excess normally payable then recovered.
- Third party insurer route: usually no excess, can be slower to authorise.
- Paying privately: no insurer involvement, you carry the cost and the risk.
Getting your excess back
Keep every invoice and the claim reference. Ask your insurer for a written note of what has been recovered and when your excess will be returned.
↑ Back to contentsFrequently asked questions
The insurance questions drivers ask us most
Straight answers on premiums, excess, write-offs and replacement vehicles, written by our Bristol repair team.
- Non-fault accident: what it means and what to do (UK guide)A plain-English UK guide to non-fault accidents: how liability is decided, your repair and replacement vehicle options, and the mistakes that cost drivers money.
- What to do after a car accident that wasn’t your faultThe exact steps to take at the scene, in the first 24 hours and in the first week after someone else hits your car in the UK.
- Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance? (UK)How a non-fault claim can show on your record, what happens to your premium and what to check with your insurer.
- What happens if my car is written off?Write-off categories explained, how valuations work and what you can do if the offer feels too low.
Your next steps
Based on what you have just read, these are the pages most drivers go to next.
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SAR Group is a repair-led accident support and bodyshop business, and your first point of contact after a non-fault accident. We are not an FCA-authorised claims management company: every non-fault case is handled through our authorised and regulated partner network.