An insurance excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim before your insurer covers the remaining approved costs. A higher excess can sometimes reduce your premium, but it means paying more upfront if you make a claim, so choose an amount you could realistically afford. Check whether your policy has different excesses for events such as storms, floods, or accidental damage, and whether any limits or exclusions apply. Compare the full policy wording and ask the insurer how changing the excess would affect your quote and claim costs.