Can I pay my excess in installments?

Asked by: Aisha McDermott  |  Last update: June 4, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (24 votes)

Normally, a car insurance excess is paid as a lump sum, not in instalments. If you can't pay it as a lump sum due to financial hardship, you can ask us whether you might be entitled to assistance. If you are, we may give you longer to pay the excess or allow you to pay it in instalments, for example.

What happens if you can't pay excess?

What if you cannot afford the excess? If you do not have the money available to pay the excess your insurer may refuse your claim or it might deduct the amount from what it pays towards the repairs.

Do you have to pay excess straight away?

You pay car insurance excess when you make a claim for damage to your car on your own insurance. But you don't have to pay it in a lump sum. Most of the time, when you make a claim, your insurer will take the excess away from your payout. That means you usually can't pay for your excess in instalments.

Can you pay an insurance claim in installments?

An insurer might accept a lower amount if you offer to pay it as a lump sum or in instalments. If you can't afford to pay the claim in one go, try to negotiate a repayment in instalments.

Can I pay my insurance in installments?

You can pay your insurance premiums whichever way suits you best – fortnightly, monthly or yearly. Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.

Do I have to pay excess if not my fault?

28 related questions found

What happens if I can't pay my insurance one month?

If you miss a monthly premium payment

Your health insurance company could end your coverage if you fall behind on your monthly premiums. A short period after your monthly health insurance payment is due to pay all owed premiums to avoid losing coverage.

Can insurance be paid in installments?

All insurance companies that are licensed to sell auto insurance in California must accept CAARP. All the companies in the CAARP program must charge the same premiums. You can pay in installments.

What happens if you can't afford to pay an insurance claim?

If you can't pay the bill, the insurance company may allow you to pay over time. This will depend on the company. They are not obliged to do this and may demand payment in full. If you don't pay the bill, they might hire a collection agency.

Can you pay a settlement in installments?

A structured settlement has flexible payout terms. Instead of receiving all the money in one large lump sum, adjusting the settlement to set up payments over time is possible.

What happens if you can't pay for your insurance?

After your grace period, your auto insurance company may terminate your policy. Before then, your insurer may send you a payment reminder via mail or email. If your policy ends and you don't have another policy lined up, your insurance coverage could lapse.

Can you do a payment plan for excess?

Normally, a car insurance excess is paid as a lump sum, not in instalments. If you can't pay it as a lump sum due to financial hardship, you can ask us whether you might be entitled to assistance. If you are, we may give you longer to pay the excess or allow you to pay it in instalments, for example.

Is it better to pay excess or not?

If you raise your excess, this will decrease the cost of your premium. On the other hand, reducing your excess will raise the cost of your premium. So, when making this decision, consider what is right for you and your circumstances. You may need to pay a set excess for specific claims, such as an age excess.

When should I pay excess?

1. The excess amount is the first amount payable by you when your claim is settled or paid out. 2. It serves to motivate you to be more responsible, to take better care of your valuables and to prevent small, petty claims.

How many times do you pay excess?

You only need to pay the excess if you make a claim. Some policies have a cap on what you pay – so you pay an excess only once each policy year, regardless of how many claims you make. Others charge an excess every time you make a claim, so it's worth keeping that in mind when you're choosing insurance.

Will my insurance go up with a 50/50 claim?

In some car crashes, both drivers may share equal responsibility, resulting in 50 50 fault. In these cases, each driver's insurance typically covers their own damages. This could potentially lead to premium increases for both parties.

What happens if you overpay your insurance?

Carriers generally issue a request for refunds as soon as they become aware of an overpayment. However, events and state laws often conspire to further delay when the carrier can legally request the refund — a circumstance that forces the process to take far longer than anyone would like.

Is it better to settle debt or not pay?

So, if you've fallen behind on payments, it's crucial to address the situation head-on as soon as possible. In general, paying off your credit card debt in full is the optimal solution that preserves your credit score and history.

Can I negotiate my own settlement?

Settlement can be complicated and letting an expert handle the nitty-gritty of negotiating with your creditors can help take a lot off your plate. But if you prefer a more DIY approach, you can always just negotiate a settlement plan with your creditors all on your own.

How to avoid paying taxes on settlement money?

A structured settlement annuity is one of the best ways of getting the tax burden off your settlement money. Why? Because a structured settlement annuity essentially pays the settlement in installments over years or even decades as opposed to giving it to you as a lump sum.

What if I can't pay my insurance deductible?

Your insurance won't be very helpful if you cannot pay for your deductible. Ideally, says The Balance, your deductible should be an amount you can easily pay out of pocket when an accident happens. That amount will vary based on your budget and how much cash you have available at any given time.

How do I get more for my totaled car?

6 Steps to get the most money from insurance for your totaled car
  1. Ask for the valuation report. ...
  2. Conduct your research on the value of your vehicle. ...
  3. Gather and provide supporting documentation. ...
  4. Consider getting a third-party appraisal. ...
  5. Negotiate with your insurance company. ...
  6. Get what is rightfully yours.

Do insurance companies do payment plans?

But did you know auto insurance companies offer payment plans too? Perhaps you don't have all the money just yet to pay in full and you want to secure the coverage you need quickly. So, setting up a monthly payment plan with a car insurance down payment will make your coverage more affordable.

Can you push your insurance payment?

Auto insurance companies typically offer a grace period for missed car insurance payments, so a payment that's a few days late shouldn't pose a problem. Make your payment as soon as possible, as the car insurance grace period can vary depending on your insurer.

Is it better to pay your insurance completely or to make payment?

Generally, you'll pay less for your policy if you can pay in full.

Can I pay my insurance deductible in installments?

Health Insurance Deductible

With regard to healthcare deductibles, always ask if it's possible to negotiate a payment plan. The healthcare provider cannot legally waive the deductible but they can allow you to pay it over time.