In short: Your car insurance excess is the part of a claim you pay yourself before the insurer pays the rest. Most policies have a basic excess, and many add extra excesses, for example for young or newly licensed drivers, for claims in the first months of the policy, or for theft and windscreen claims. A higher excess usually means a lower premium, but only choose one you could pay tomorrow. Check your policy schedule for the exact amounts. This is general information, not insurance advice.
How excess works
Say your car needs R30,000 of repairs and your excess is R5,000. You pay R5,000 (usually to the panelbeater or the insurer) and the insurer pays R25,000. If the damage costs less than your excess, the insurer pays nothing, and claiming may still count against your claims record.
Excess is usually shown either as a fixed rand amount or as a percentage of the claim with a minimum, for example “5% of the claim, minimum R5,000”. Your policy schedule lists every excess that applies to you.
Types of excess to look for
- Basic excess: the standard amount on most claims.
- Additional driver excesses: extra amounts if the driver at the time is young, recently licensed or not listed on the policy.
- Early claim excess: some insurers add an extra excess if you claim soon after the policy starts.
- Theft or hijacking excess: often higher, and sometimes higher still if a required tracking device was not working.
- Windscreen and glass excess: usually lower than the basic excess, and some policies charge none if you use the insurer’s glass supplier.
- Single-vehicle accident or write-off excess: some policies charge more when no other car is involved or the car is written off.
- Third-party only claims: on third-party cover, an excess can still apply when the insurer pays the other driver. See excess on third-party claims.
Excesses can stack. A young driver who writes off a car in the first months of a policy could face several at once.
Voluntary excess: lower premium, bigger risk
Many insurers let you choose a higher voluntary excess in return for a lower monthly premium. Before you agree:
- Work out how much you save in a year on the premium.
- Compare that with the extra you would pay on one claim.
- Keep at least the full excess in an emergency fund. If you cannot pay the excess, the car may sit at the panelbeater.
Excess waiver and excess reducer products
Some insurers and separate providers sell cover that refunds or reduces your excess. These cost extra each month. Check what they actually pay back, whether they cover every excess type, and whether there is a limit per year.
When it may not be worth claiming
- When the repair costs only a little more than your excess.
- When a claim would lose a no-claim bonus or cash-back reward worth more than the payout.
Even if you do not claim, many policies require you to report every incident. Not reporting can cause problems with later claims, so check your policy wording.
Comparing quotes
When you compare car insurance, compare the excess table, not just the premium. A cheap premium with high stacked excesses can cost more in the year you claim. Our guide to the cheapest car insurance in South Africa covers what else to compare.
If you disagree with a claim decision
- Complain to the insurer first, in writing, using its complaints process.
- If it is not resolved, take it to the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO), which handles non-life insurance complaints for free: 0860 800 900 or info@nfosa.co.za, or online at nfosa.co.za.
What to confirm on your policy schedule
- Every excess that applies, and whether they stack.
- Whether all regular drivers are listed.
- Tracking device or security requirements for theft claims.
- Whether you must report incidents you do not claim for.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. This article is general information and not insurance advice. Excess amounts and rules differ by insurer and policy, so read your policy schedule and wording.