A travel insurance excess is the amount you agree to pay an insurer if you end up claiming on your policy. Take for example, a travel insurance policy for a week in Bali. The same policy could cost you $60 with a $200 excess, $72 with a $100 excess or $108 with a $0 excess. As you can see, choosing a higher excess can save quite a bit.
That's the good news. The bad news is that you'd have to pay that amount before you could claim anything. Say you lose your phone that's worth $500 and you have a $200 excess. Once your insurer approves your claim, you'll have to pay the excess amount, which means you'd only get $300 back. Another potential shortfall of this option is for lower value claims, where the claim amount would end up being comparable to that of the payable excess.
Choosing the higher excess option is slightly riskier if you end up needing to claim but if you're just looking to save some coin in the short term, it's not a bad way to go.
When calculating your travel insurance quote, Finder uses the travel insurers default excess option, which means you can sort your results from lowest to highest excess option.
| Brand | Lowest excess option | Excess Option 2 | Excess Option 3 | Excess Option 4 | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $0 | $100 | $250 | n/a | Bonus |
 | $100 | n/a | n/a | n/a | Bonus |
 | $100 | $200 | n/a | n/a | Get quote |
 | $0 | $100 | $200 | n/a | Finder AwardBonus |
 | $200 | n/a | n/a | n/a | Get quote |
 | $200 | n/a | n/a | n/a | Get quote |
 | $0 | $100 | $200 | n/a | Finder AwardBonus |
 | $0 | $200 | n/a | n/a | Bonus |
 | $0 | $100 | $200 | n/a | Get quote |
 | $0 | $100 | $250 | n/a | Bonus |
 | $0 | $100 | $250 | n/a | Finder Award |
 | $200 | n/a | n/a | n/a | More info |
 | $200 | n/a | n/a | n/a | More info |
 | $0 | $150 | $250 | n/a | Get quote |
 | $0 | $100 | $250 | n/a | Get quote |
 | $100 | $200 | n/a | n/a | More info |
 | $100 | $200 | $500 | n/a | More info |
 | $0 | $100 | $250 | n/a | Bonus |
 | $0 | $100 | $250 | n/a | Get quote |
 | $0 | $100 | $250 | n/a | More info |
 | $0 | $100 | $250 | n/a | More info |
 | $100 | $200 | $500 | n/a | More info |
Note: This information was last updated August 2023
A standard excess is the set amount stipulated by the insurer that you must pay if you make a successful claim.
Many insurers will give you an option to select the excess amount on your policy. The price of your premium (policy) will change depending on which excess amount you select. As mentioned earlier, the higher your excess, the cheaper your premium.
This isn't as common but can apply to certain benefits – for example, ski-related claims.
How and when you pay an excess will depend on the policy and the insurer. Some insurers require you to pay the excess upfront before they will pay the claim, while others will simply deduct the amount of the excess and pay out the remainder of the benefit.
Claiming on multiple sections of the policy does not generally mean you will pay multiple excesses. Most of the time you're charged one excess for an event even if you are claiming on multiple benefits.
The same goes if you're claiming on a family policy, even if that event impacts multiple travellers such as both parents and children; you'll only pay the excess once.
Get a free travel insurance quote
The best travel insurance policies are different for each individual traveller.
We take a look to see if you are fully protected by insurance if your Airbnb trip goes wrong.
South Korea has become a tourist hotspot in recent years, and is usually a very safe choice if you travel smart.
Everything you need to know about taking your pet overseas including rules for flying with pets and how to prepare for your trip.
Find out how travel insurance for trip disruption actually works and policies from Australian brands.
Find out how travel insurance covers accidental death and what will be paid from in the event of a claim.
Beware when swimming at Byron, Ballina, Bondi and Bells.
Learn more about travel insurance brokers, how they are paid and the way they can help you find comprehensive travel cover.
Is travel insurance a worthy investment? Find out why travel insurance is an invaluable travel item.
Guide to high-risk travel insurance: What is and isn't covered.
Hotel in Menorca lost 2 adults 2 children’s passports, insurance company are paying for replacement passports etc but have said our excess is £100 per person. The certificate from travel agents only says excess £100, no policy booklet was given as Thomson’s didn’t have any in stock. I believe it has been mis-sold as I was unaware of excess being per person.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for reaching out.
I’m sorry to hear about this mishap. I’m afraid we cannot check this information for you as we do not have the insurance details. You may want to contact the insurance company and ask for the policy booklet so you can ascertain the excess charging.
It’s a good idea to always check the features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and if necessary, reach out to the insurance company before buying an insurance.
Kind regards,
Liezl
I asked Google, “why do we have to pay an excess on our Travel Insurance”. I got this page as an result ( https://www.finder.com.au/travel-insurance-excess ). It explains how an excess works. Any Dip-Stick knows how it works, Derrr. I asked why do we have to pay it. If you insure something. It should replace the total value of what is insured. I accept depreciation. But why do we have to pay an excess. It Google that led me here. Not finder.com.au. So shows you how bright google is. Not very. So why do we have to pay an excess. Seems a SCAM to me. That everyone accepts.
Hi Barry,
Thanks for your question.
When you buy travel insurance with an excess option, you are assuming a part of the risk on behalf of the insurer in return for a lower premium. There are travel insurance brands out there that offer zero excess options but this means you are paying more upfront. If you wish to check your options, here’s a list of insurers offering excess reduction travel insurance.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard