Car insurance: compulsory and voluntary excess?

Question

My car was involved in an accident. I claimed my own insurance and the insurance decided to write it off and my car was valued at £5,000. However, the insurance company said that the net amount I get should be £5,000 minus compulsory and voluntary excess? What is a compulsory excess?

Answer 1

a compulsory excess is one that the insurance company have put on your policy as standard so you have not choice but to pay, a voluntary excess is one that either you or your insurer will put on to lower your annual premium but you still have to pay it the reason it it voluntary is that you can get it removed at the beginning if you do not require it.

Answer 2

Compulsory excess is what the insurance puts on your policy and you no choice but to pay.
Voluntary is what is what it says it's voluntary, the more volunteer the cheaper the premium.
If you volunteer to pay £200 and the compulsory set by your insurance is £200 - then in total you must pay £400.

Answer 3

Compulsory excess is what the insurer sets as a minimum and you can then possibly reduce your premium further by adding an extra voluntary one.