Insurance Excess Explained: What You Pay After an Accident in WA

Nobody plans a car crash. But when it happens on Western Australian roads, the first questions are always the same: what's the vehicle repair estimate, what's the insurance excess, and what do I pay? You're not alone. More than 133,000 crashes were reported on WA roads between 2020 and 2024, so a lot of drivers have stood at a smash repair counter asking exactly this.

If your car is comprehensively insured, it usually comes down to one number: your excess. This guide explains how the basic and additional excesses work, what changes the amount (at-fault vs not-at-fault, listed drivers, agreed value vs market value), and what to check in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), so there are no surprises when you lodge the claim.

What Is an Insurance Excess?

An excess is the amount you pay when you lodge an insurance claim. It's set when you take out your policy and is listed in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Certificate of Insurance.

If your excess is $800 and the repair bill is $4,000, you pay $800 and your insurer pays the remaining $3,200. If the repair costs less than your excess, you pay the full amount yourself, so it's worth thinking twice before making a claim.

Insurers use excesses to discourage small claims and keep premiums manageable. You'll usually pay the excess either to your insurer or to your repairer, depending on how your insurer handles the claim.

How Does Excess Work After a Car Accident in WA?

Here's how a typical comprehensive car insurance claim works:

Lodge your claim: Contact your insurer as early as possible. Most insurers let you lodge a claim online in minutes, or you can call them. Have your policy number, photos of the damage, and the other driver's details ready. Not sure what to collect at the scene? Follow our step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident in Perth.
Assessment: The insurer's assessor reviews the damage and either approves a repair quote or declares the car a total loss.
Excess is applied: The agreed repair cost is calculated, and your excess is deducted from what the insurer pays.
Repairs begin: Once the claim is approved, your MTA-accredited Perth smash repairer starts work. Our panel beater repair timeline explains how long each type of repair usually takes.
You pay your excess: This is commonly collected when you pick up the car, although some insurers ask for payment upfront.

In Western Australia, Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is included in your vehicle licence and covers injury to other people. It does not cover vehicle or property damage. That's why it's worth choosing a comprehensive or third-party property policy with an excess that suits your budget, not just the cheapest premium.

Types of Excess That May Apply to Your Policy

Your total excess is not always a single figure. Depending on your cover, it can include:

Basic excess (standard excess): The base amount you choose or are assigned when you buy the policy. Every claim has one.
Age excess: An additional amount charged when a driver under 25 is involved in the accident.
Inexperienced driver excess: Usually applies when the driver has held their licence for a short time, typically less than two years.
Undeclared driver excess: Applies when someone not listed on your policy was driving at the time of the accident.
Voluntary excess: A higher excess you agree to in exchange for a lower regular premium.
Imposed excess: An amount your insurer adds based on risk, such as a modified vehicle, claims history, or a high-performance car.
Special event excess: Applies to specific claims such as theft or hail damage, depending on your policy. Learn more in our guide to whether car insurance covers hail damage.

For example, if your basic excess is $700 and an inexperienced driver excess of $800 also applies, you pay $1,500 on a single claim. Always check your PDS for the exact excesses that apply to you.

Understanding Car Insurance Excess Amounts in Western Australia

There's no fixed rate. Excesses vary between insurers, policy types, and drivers.

Many comprehensive policies have excesses ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Higher excesses may apply to young drivers, expensive vehicles, or low-premium policies.

Rather than guessing, check your Certificate of Insurance for the exact excess. Your insurer can also explain which charges apply to your particular claim.

Who Pays the Insurance Excess in a Not-at-Fault Accident?

It's the most common question Perth drivers ask. If another driver caused the accident, you often won't have to pay the excess, because many policies waive it when the at-fault driver is identified.

To make this work, you'll need to give your insurer the other driver's details: their name, address, registration number, and insurer. Many insurers then waive your excess, or refund it once they recover the cost from the at-fault party. That's why it's so important to collect the other driver's details at the scene.

If you weren't at fault, you may also be able to claim directly against the at-fault driver's insurer instead of your own. Alpha Smash Repair can arrange your repairs and a not-at-fault replacement car in Perth, with eligible costs claimed from the at-fault insurer, subject to the liability assessment and hire terms.

You're more likely to pay your excess if:

The person responsible for the collision can't be identified.
The at-fault party has no insurance and can't afford the repairs.
Fault is disputed or shared.
You were at fault, even partly.

Who Pays What? Excess and Liability After a Car Accident in WA

Scenario	Who's Liable	Do You Pay Excess?	What Usually Happens
You're at fault	You	Yes	The insurer repairs your car, minus your excess. Your no-claim bonus may be affected. See our at-fault insurance claim cost guide.
Other driver at fault, identified and insured	Other driver	Often waived or refunded	Your insurer may recover costs from the other driver's insurer. You may pay upfront and get it back later.
Other driver at fault, identified but uninsured	Other driver	Usually yes	Your insurer may still cover repairs, but recovering costs from the other driver can be slow or unsuccessful.
Hit and run, driver not identified	Unknown	Yes	There's no one to recover costs from, so the excess generally applies.
Shared or disputed fault	Both, or undecided	Yes, until fault is settled	The excess may be refunded if you're later found not at fault.
Single-vehicle crash (e.g. hitting a pole or barrier)	You	Yes	Treated as an at-fault claim.

Note: Your PDS sets out exactly how your insurer treats each scenario, so check it carefully or call your insurer before lodging a claim. If someone hit your car while it was parked, read our guide on what to do and who pays when a parked car is hit in Perth.

Even in a not-at-fault claim, some insurers ask you to pay the excess upfront and refund it later. Confirm your insurer's requirements before any repair work starts.

Excess vs Premium: Finding the Right Balance

Excess and premium work against each other:

A higher excess means a lower premium.
A lower excess means a higher premium.

Drivers who choose a higher excess to save on premiums pay more out of pocket when they claim. If you can't afford that amount after an accident, you could be stuck with a car you can't afford to repair.

A practical way to set your excess:

Choose an amount you could pay tomorrow without stress.
Consider how often you drive and your usual routes, since busy city roads increase the risk of a collision.
Check whether the premium savings justify a higher excess.
Consider who drives the car, especially younger or newly licensed drivers.

If you have good savings and rarely claim, a higher excess may help lower your premium. But if you drive in Perth every day and couldn't cover a $2,000 bill, a lower excess may suit you better.

What Happens to Your Excess When Your Car Is Written Off?

When repairs would cost more than the car is worth, the insurer may declare it a total loss, or write-off. In that case, your excess is deducted from the settlement amount. Our guide to WA write-off assessments and WOVR rules explains how that decision is made.

What you receive depends on how your car is insured:

Agreed value: You and your insurer agree on the car's value when the cover starts. That amount is paid, minus your excess.
Market value: The insurer pays what the car was worth just before the accident, based on its make, model, kilometres, age, and condition, minus your excess.

Agreed value policies usually give you more certainty, because market values can come in lower than expected, especially on older vehicles.

Can You Choose Your Own Smash Repairer in Perth?

It depends on your insurer and policy conditions. Some insurers require you to use their authorised repairer network, while others let you choose your own licensed repairer in Perth. Read more in can I choose my own smash repairer in WA.

If your policy lets you choose, it's worth taking that option. You get full say over who repairs your car and clearer communication with an MTA-accredited, I-CAR-trained smash repairer, whether you need panel beating, paintless dent removal, bumper repairs, windscreen replacement, or a full respray.

Before you decide, ask:

Is the repairer experienced with your car's make and model?
Will they deal directly with your insurer?
Do they use quality parts and follow manufacturer repair standards?
Do they provide a written warranty on their workmanship?

At Alpha Smash Repair, we deal directly with your insurer, so the paperwork isn't your problem. We prepare the repair quote, send it to your insurer, and keep you updated on your claim's progress. If your policy lets you choose your own repairer, request a free quote today.

How to Reduce What You Pay After a Car Accident

You can't control a crash, but a few habits make your claim smoother:

Take photos at the scene, including vehicle damage, number plates, road conditions, and the surrounding area.
Get the other driver's details, including their name, licence, rego, contact number, and insurer.
Report the accident promptly, as late claims can complicate the process.
Don't admit fault. Let the insurer assess the facts and handle the claim.
Read your PDS carefully so you know your excess amounts and exclusions.
Keep your policy details accurate. Listing the right drivers and any modifications helps avoid disputes and delays.
Ask about no-claim bonus protection, which some insurers offer so a single claim won't wipe out your discount.

Should You Claim or Pay for Your Smash Repairs Yourself?

For minor damage, it's often worth paying out of pocket. If your quote is only slightly above your excess, claiming may not be worthwhile if it increases your future premiums or affects your no-claim bonus at renewal.

Get a repair quote from Alpha Smash Repair first and compare it to your excess. Our Perth smash repair cost guide gives indicative price ranges to help you compare. If the repair cost is high, claiming is the sensible choice. If it's close, paying yourself might save you money in the long run. Visit our car insurance claim repairs page to get started, and our team will liaise directly with your insurer to manage the claim and excess requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does windscreen damage come with an excess?

Often, yes, although some insurers offer a reduced or zero excess for windscreen repairs. Check your PDS first, and see our guide on whether car insurance covers windscreen replacement in Perth.

Does paying an excess affect my no-claim bonus?

Paying an excess doesn't affect it directly, but an at-fault claim can. Check your policy for no-claim bonus protection.

Can I get my excess back?

Yes, if the at-fault driver is identified and your insurer recovers the cost from them. This is more likely when the other party's details are complete and fault is clear.

Is excess the same as a deductible?

Yes. Deductible is the American term. In Australia, it's called an excess.

Who pays the excess: the driver or the owner?

The policyholder is responsible for the excess, regardless of who was driving.

Need a Hand With Your Insurance Claim?

Making a claim and not sure where you stand with your excess? Your excess is only part of the story. The rest is getting your car repaired properly, without delays. Our Perth team deals with insurers every day and can walk you through the paperwork, the quote, and what to expect before work begins.

Send us your photos and insurer details, and we'll give you a clear quote and explain the next steps. Call us on 08 6287 9078 or request a free quote online, and we'll help you get back on the road sooner.