Voluntary excess is the amount of money that you agree to pay towards the cost of a car insurance claim, on top of the compulsory excess. It is an amount that you choose to pay to reduce the overall cost of your insurance. When you arrange your policy, your insurance company should make it clear exactly how much excess you need to pay in the event of a claim. You can change your voluntary excess, and it is worth looking at how changing the voluntary excess affects your price when you get a car insurance quote. Choosing a higher voluntary excess will reduce your premium, but also means youll pay more in the event of a claim. The option of paying a voluntary excess only applies to certain insurance products, such as car insurance, caravan insurance, motorcycle insurance, and boat insurance.