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What is travel insurance excess and excess waiver?

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Bryony Eacott

bright red luggage surrounded by other suitcases on its way to the lost and found desk.

Travel insurance can be a bit complicated. Terms like ‘excess’, ‘cover’, and ‘premiums’ can make your head spin. But don’t worry, we’re here to clear things up and explain what travel insurance excess is.

What is travel insurance excess?

Just like a car insurance or home insurance policy, most travel insurance policies come with a compulsory excess. The excess is an amount of money you would need to pay towards making a claim on your policy.

The insurer will usually deduct the compulsory excess amount from your claim pay out.

If you’re unsure about the excess on your Staysure travel insurance policy, you can check the excess on your policy documents by logging into your My Staysure account.

Can a travel insurance policy have more than one excess?

Yes, you may need to pay several excesses depending on your type of claim.

For example, if you fell ill during your trip and made a claim for emergency medical expenses, but you also lost your luggage, you may need to pay an excess for each individual claim.

What is a travel insurance excess waiver?

An excess waiver is like a safety net. It’s a type of insurance that covers you for the cost of any excess you’re asked to pay in the event of a claim.

Adding a travel insurance excess waiver to your policy will cost you a little more, but it means that should you make a claim, you will not have to pay the excess. It can give you peace of mind knowing you won’t be out of pocket.

Pensive young woman travelling by bus and holding a smartphone.

Can I get travel insurance with no excess?

Yes, Signature policies come with no excess to pay, as it includes the excess waiver add-on as standard.

There’s also no excess to pay on a Comprehensive policy when you buy the excess waiver add-on. Our travel insurance excess waiver can be added to your Comprehensive policy when you buy your policy and can’t be added at a later date.

How much is travel insurance excess?

The amount of excess you may have to pay out depends on the policy you pick.

Excess per claim Excess with excess waiver add-on
Basic policy £129 Add-on not available
Comprehensive policy £99 £0
Signature policy £0 £0 (Add-on included as standard)

It’s important to read through your policy carefully, so you know what you are and aren’t covered for, as well as how much excess applies.

Will an excess affect my insurance premium?

Generally, if you choose a higher excess, the lower your premium will be. So you will often pay more to take out a no excess travel insurance policy. Before you take out a policy, it’s important to make sure you’re comfortable with any amount of excess, and that it’s affordable for you in the event of a claim.

Ready to take out a policy for your travels?

If you’re ready to get protected for your holiday, get a quote today! If you would like to wave goodbye to excess fees, don’t forget you can add-on our excess waiver to your Comprehensive policy or take out a Signature policy.