What happens if I can't pay my excess?

Asked by: Liliana Corwin  |  Last update: June 16, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (52 votes)

If you have not paid your excess and the other driver/owner (or their insurer) starts legal action, your insurer may not cover the additional legal and court costs, or the claim itself. Your insurer can reject or reduce your claim if they suffer because you delay the claim by not paying your excess.

Can excess be paid in installments?

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.

How to get out of paying excess?

You should explain that you are in financial difficulty and cannot currently afford to pay the excess but that your claim is otherwise covered by your policy.

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.

Is it better to pay excess or not?

Purely based on likelihood of risk, paying extra excess when you do end up claiming insurance will usually^ be cheaper cumulatively over all the years that you drive a car, than paying extra in premiums.

Do I have to pay excess if not my fault?

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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 I still pay excess if not my fault?

You pay the excess in the event of any claim made on your insurance policy regardless of who is to blame. However, if it's proved the accident was the other person's fault and the full cost is recovered from their insurer, you may be able to recover this amount.

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.

What to do if insurance doesn't pay enough?

What Can I Do If My Insurance Company Won't Pay Me Enough for My Insurance Claim?
  1. Understand Why Your Claim May Be Underpaid. ...
  2. Review Your Policy in Detail. ...
  3. Document Everything. ...
  4. Request a Re-Evaluation or Second Opinion. ...
  5. Dispute the Claim in Writing. ...
  6. File a Complaint with Your State's Department of Insurance.

How long can an insurance company come after you?

Generally, the insurance company has about 30 days to investigate your claim. Pro tip: Your state's statutes of limitations will also determine how much time you have to file and settle a claim. The statute of limitations for insurance claims varies by state, as well as by claim type.

Does insurance excess get refunded?

Paying excess for a car accident that isn't your fault

If your insurance company have dealt with the claim, they should claim the excess back for you.

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.

What if my claim is less than the excess?

The excess is the amount of money that your insurer will take off the claim. It may not be worth making a claim if the amount you're claiming for is less than this. the small print. Make sure there's nothing in the terms and conditions that prevents you from claiming.

Can I get an extension on my insurance payment?

Ask about a grace period: Some insurance providers offer grace periods after the payment due date that allow you to make your payment several days later without losing coverage. Contact your insurance company if you miss a payment and ask if they have a grace period or are willing to extend one to you.

How is your excess decided?

The excess versus premium reduction calculation is one that insurers work on diligently, with a lot of analysis going into determining the reduction in premium versus the quantum of claims. In simple terms, they look at how often bad things happen and how much it costs to fix them.

Does a higher deductible lower car insurance premiums?

When you're choosing a deductible, keep in mind that you may be more or less comfortable with higher out-of-pocket costs vs monthly costs. A high deductible will lower your overall insurance rate, however it will increase your out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.

What if I don't agree with my car insurance adjuster?

Dispute the Decision and File a Complaint

Many policies allow you to request arbitration through the insurance company. You'll present evidence to an independent adjuster, who then makes a binding settlement determination. You can also file a complaint with your state department of insurance.

How do I force my insurance company to pay?

Keep in mind that insurance companies are never forced to pay any injury claim until you have a Court Order called a “Final Judgment” telling them they must pay you. Until you have that in your hand, they only pay if and when they want to. Filing suit is how you take control of your case.

How do you argue the value of a totaled car?

If you believe the insurance company underestimated the value of your vehicle, try these steps:
  1. Ask for the Valuation Report.
  2. Research the Comparables on the Valuation Report.
  3. Dispute Any Condition Adjustments on the Comparables.
  4. Send Your Own Comparables to the Adjuster.
  5. Consider Hiring an Appraiser.

Can you negotiate when your car is totaled?

Yes, you can negotiate with the insurance company if your car is totaled. However, just like other types of claims, you should understand the potential value of your case and take this into account before accepting an offer from the insurer.

How to negotiate with an insurance adjuster?

Here's how to negotiate with insurance adjusters like a pro:

Prepare thoroughly by knowing your policy details and the value of your claim. Gather all evidence, including photos, medical records, and repair estimates. Stay calm, be polite, and firm in your communications.

What to do when your car is totaled and you still owe money?

If your car is totaled and you still owe on it, but the accident was not your fault, contact the at-fault driver's insurance company with your lender information. To maintain your good credit, you should continue to make your loan or lease payments until the insurance company issues payment to your lender.

Will I get my excess back?

You can and should get any excess you had to pay out, recovered from the at-fault driver's insurer. However, depending on the complexity of your claim, this can take anything from a couple of months to several months to be returned. We know of drivers sometimes having to wait over a year to get their excess back.

What happens if no one is at fault in an accident?

But what will happen if no one is at fault for your car accident? You can always file a no-fault car insurance claim. The insurance provider will compensate the policyholder and its passengers for the cost of minor injuries and loss of income regardless of who caused the accident.

What happens if the at fault party doesn t have enough insurance to pay your claim in louisiana?

However, if you were uninsured or not carrying the minimum required coverage at the time of the crash, Louisiana's “No Pay, No Play” law (RS: 32:866) reduces the compensation available to you. This law bars you from collecting the first: $25,000 of property damages. $15,000 of bodily injury damages.