Voluntary excess

Voluntary excess is the one premium lever entirely in your hands. By agreeing to carry more of each claim yourself, you reduce the insurer's exposure, and they pass part of that saving back as a lower monthly premium — a meaningful reduction for a buffer you only ever pay if you actually claim.

The figure you choose sits on top of the compulsory basic excess and any add-on excesses, so it raises the total first amount payable at claim time. That is the trade-off to weigh honestly: the monthly saving is certain, but the higher excess is real money you must be able to produce on the day of a loss.

It makes most sense for careful drivers with a cash reserve who rarely claim, and least sense for anyone who would struggle to find the larger first amount when something goes wrong. Set it at a level you could comfortably cover tomorrow, not the maximum the discount tempts you toward.