A lower premium can be accompanied by a higher compulsory or voluntary excess. The premium is the cost of buying the policy; the excess is the amount that may have to be contributed when a covered claim is made.

How insurers commonly treat this

• Comparing policies at the same voluntary-excess setting makes the premium comparison clearer.
• Additional excesses can apply for young drivers, theft, windscreen claims or particular circumstances.
• Policy benefits such as courtesy car, legal protection and glass cover can also differ between otherwise similar quotations.

What the quotation may ask for

Quotation forms use the information supplied to determine which insurers can offer cover and on what terms. Where the available answer does not accurately describe the circumstances, the insurer or comparison provider can clarify how that information is recorded.