Comparison workbook · General · South Africa
Excess and Deductibles
Calculate the total amount a policyholder could fund in several realistic claims, including fixed, percentage, voluntary and event-specific excesses, before accepting a lower premium.
This guide explains the amount the customer pays before the insurer contributes.
Get quote & buy
No personalised quote was requested, no personal details were collected or shared, and no insurer was contacted. Live quote and buying assistance opens only after provider verification and a disclosed commercial launch.
Reviewed 20 July 2026 · General education, not personal financial advice
Cover comparison
Compare excess structures in actual events
| Comparison point | Why it changes the decision |
|---|---|
| Fixed amount | Predictable in rand terms but may be supplemented by another listed excess |
| Percentage amount | Can rise with the claim or insured value and may include a minimum payment |
| Voluntary amount | May reduce premium while deliberately shifting more loss to the policyholder |
| Event-specific amount | Can apply because of driver age, theft, weather, glass, use or another trigger |
| Waiver option | May remove selected excesses only when separate eligibility and exclusions are met |
Comparison foundation
Set the meaning and jurisdiction before ranking options
What it means
An excess or deductible is the part of an accepted loss allocated to the policyholder before or alongside the insurer's payment. It can be a fixed rand amount, percentage or combination. Basic, voluntary and event-specific excesses may stack. The true comparison therefore asks what is payable for each realistic claim, not only which basic amount appears on the quote.
South African context
South African providers use different terminology and structures across motor, property, travel and business policies. Young-driver, theft, single-vehicle, weather, glass and compulsory excesses may apply under separate clauses. Medical-scheme co-payments and benefit shortfalls are not automatically insurance excesses and should be analysed under their own rules.
Worked comparison
Run one realistic choice through the trade-offs
Suppose a hypothetical motor quote saves R180 per month but adds R6,000 of voluntary excess. A young-driver and single-vehicle excess can also apply to one collision. The annual premium saving is R2,160, which does not fund the larger claim contribution. This arithmetic does not predict a claim; it shows why recurring price and retained event cost must be recorded separately.
Policy verification
Resolve how the contribution is calculated and collected
| Policy detail | Question to resolve |
|---|---|
| Stacking | Which excesses can apply together to the same accepted event? |
| Payment timing | Is the amount paid upfront, deducted from settlement or collected by a repairer? |
| Third-party recovery | Does recovery change the amount or only the timing of reimbursement? |
| Total-loss basis | Is the excess deducted before finance settlement or other contractual adjustments? |
| Quote comparison | Did every provider use the same voluntary amount and event assumptions? |
What it means
Measure the retained loss behind the premium
Explain what the user pays first and why it matters.
What this guide helps you do
- Clarifies excess, deductible and claim-share concepts
- Shows how a lower premium can hide a higher excess
- Helps users model the true cost of a claim
Who should use this guide
- First-time buyers
- People comparing quotes
- Readers checking the policy wording
Decision flow
Model claim-time cash before selecting an excess
Use the sequence as a working record, then confirm product-specific duties in the current provider documents.
-
Collect the schedule
List every basic, voluntary, percentage and event-specific amount
-
Choose scenarios
Use realistic theft, collision, weather, glass or property events for the product
-
Apply stacking rules
Ask which amounts combine and whether any minimum or maximum applies
-
Compare savings
Set annual premium movement beside the added contribution in each scenario
-
Check affordability
Choose an amount that can be funded without delaying essential recovery
Comparison maintenance
Reopen the comparison when these facts or terms change
When to reopen this decision
- Voluntary excess changesRecalculate premium saving against added claim cash
- Driver, property or activity changesCheck for a new event-specific amount
- Renewal arrivesCompare the entire excess schedule with the previous year
- Claim is acceptedRequest a written breakdown before settlement or repair
Terms in this guide
- Basic excess
- The standard policyholder contribution specified for a covered claim
- Voluntary excess
- An extra amount chosen in exchange for a possible premium change
- Percentage excess
- A contribution calculated as a proportion of loss or value
- Excess stack
- Multiple excess provisions applying to one accepted event
Balanced view
Potential benefits and limitations
Where this approach helps
- Realistic cost comparison: Shows why the smallest monthly premium may not produce the lowest event cost
- Affordability control: Encourages a claim contribution that is actually available
- Clearer settlement review: Provides a basis for checking deductions on an accepted claim
Where caution is needed
- Claims are uncertain: Premium savings cannot be judged by assuming a claim will or will not occur
- Wording controls stacking: A simple quote screen may omit extra event amounts
- Product language differs: Co-payments and medical-scheme shortfalls should not be labelled automatically as excesses
Avoidable mistakes
Check these points before you commit
- Reading only the basic excess: Additional amounts may materially change the total contribution
- Choosing an unaffordable voluntary amount: A saving is not useful if repair cannot begin
- Assuming recovery is immediate: Third-party processes can take time even where reimbursement may follow
Officially sourced cover records
Insurers linked to Excess and Deductibles
16 cover records support further research. Several records may share an insurer. The category shortlist explains the different products, limits and eligibility in more detail.
Published prices apply only to their stated basis. Quote-required records have no comparable public premium. For healthcare, medical insurance and medical scheme options are separate groups, not equivalent benefits.
Rating (1-5) is an internal clarity score, not a customer rating or claims-performance measure. For rows showing source checks, one point is awarded for each confirmed field: legal identity, scope, entry conditions, comparable price basis and claims instructions. Unconfirmed evidence does not mean a benefit is unavailable. Other records retain their labelled support-signal method.
| Insurer and plan | Price and basis | Scope and legal carrier | Evidence and review | Rating (1-5) | Published checks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Insurance Comprehensive | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Broad car cover with accidental damage, theft and liability, subject to the schedule. Budget Insurance Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| Budget Insurance Third-party only | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Liability-focused protection; your own car’s repair or replacement cost remains yours. Budget Insurance Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| Budget Insurance Third-party, fire and theft | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Limited own-car protection for fire and theft, plus third-party liability. Budget Insurance Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| Discovery Insure Essential Plan | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Comprehensive motor cover within the Essential plan; rewards and optional benefits have separate conditions. Discovery Insure Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 2.0 / 5 |
|
| First for Women Comprehensive car insurance | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Comprehensive car protection with assistance services; read the accepted benefit and driver conditions. First for Women Insurance Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 2.0 / 5 |
|
| King Price Comprehensive (decreasing premium) | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Accidental damage, theft and third-party liability with a decreasing vehicle premium structure. King Price Insurance Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| King Price Third party only | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Third-party property liability without damage or theft cover for your own car. King Price Insurance Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| King Price Third party, fire and theft | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Fire and theft protection plus third-party liability, without own collision cover. King Price Insurance Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| Miway Comprehensive | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Accident damage, theft, fire and third-party liability. MiWay Insurance Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| Miway Third-party only | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Liability for damage to other people’s property; no own-car damage cover. MiWay Insurance Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| Miway Third-party, fire and theft | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Theft, fire and third-party liability; own collision repairs excluded. MiWay Insurance Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 3.0 / 5 |
|
| Momentum Insure Car insurance | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Motor cover with selected benefits and optional assistance; specify the car’s actual private or business use. Momentum Insure Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 2.0 / 5 |
|
| Naked Comprehensive car insurance | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | App-managed comprehensive car cover; confirm insured value and the selected excess. Hollard Specialist Insurance Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 2.0 / 5 |
|
| OUTsurance Comprehensive vehicle cover | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Own-vehicle accident, theft and weather protection with liability, subject to the policy. OUTsurance Insurance Company Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 2.0 / 5 |
|
| Pineapple Comprehensive car insurance | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Digital comprehensive cover for accidental damage, theft and third-party liability. Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 2.0 / 5 |
|
| Santam Comprehensive vehicle cover | Quote required No universal comparable premium verified. Request the same driver, car, cover level and excess in every quote. | Personal comprehensive vehicle cover; optional distance-based SmartPark has qualifying conditions. Santam Limited Vehicle insurance | Official product evidence 2026-09-14 | 2.0 / 5 |
|
Trust and verification
Use the guide, then verify the contract
AfriPolicyCover does not sell this product or provide personal recommendations. Confirm the legal provider, policy wording, schedule, disclosures and complaint route before proceeding.
Related cover
Apply this knowledge to an insurance category
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
What will I learn from Excess and Deductibles?
The guide explains the decision, comparison points, common limitations and practical checks to complete before choosing cover.
Is this guide personal financial advice?
No. It is general South African insurance education and cannot account for individual needs, affordability or underwriting.
Should I rely on a premium alone?
No. Compare the cover, limits, exclusions, excesses, waiting periods and claim process on the same assumptions.
Which document controls my cover?
The provider's current policy wording, schedule and written disclosures control the contract, subject to applicable law.
How can I check a financial services provider?
Use the FSCA's authorised financial services provider search and confirm the entity and licence details shown in the provider disclosure.
Are AfriPolicyCover provider links active?
Not yet. AfriPolicyCover will identify and disclose verified provider destinations before outbound comparison links are enabled.