No excess

[Marymint]

I think I missed the reply to my query, or perhaps there wasn't one!
Is there an insurance policy that doesn't have an excess to pay if there is a claim? Many thanks.

[antiguru]

I�d be surprised if you could find one.

Excess is often used by an insurer to deter small claims that are costly to administer. Premiums are reached by analysing likely risk so unless an insurer selects a portfolio of people unlikely to claim I expect they�ll use an excess.

You can usually minimise the excess with an insurer who looks at you as an individual risk, but you might end up paying for that in the premium.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

taking a excess is a way of making a policy cheaper.

[gouldc]

You can have a policy with zero accidental damage excess, but you've normally got to have an exemplary driving record, and are generally over 40.

These policies will have a theft only excess, and you would not pay an excess where you;ve had an accident, but you'll have to pay around �50 to �150 in the event of a theft.

[sifellis]

Hi, i'm an underwriter and there are plenty of companies that offer �0 accidental damage xs's. I underwrite for UKI who do insurance for Tesco, Churchill, Direct Line, Privilege, NIG, BMW, Egg.....just say you don't want an damage xs.

If you are under the age of 25 you will find, certainly with the above companies, a compulsory xs's for damage. You'll also find that there is always a fire & theft xs's which is compulsory as well.

Certain types of vehicles also carry compulsory xs's.

I refused insurance to a 63yr old man the other week as he'd had about 7 claims in 3 years. For petty claims like when he numped his wing mirror (�80) or scratched his door on a fence (�70) & he didn't want an xs's. We refused because he would claim for any little thing, not worth the risk in our eyes.