• By Raymond Momanyi

Don't Let the Excess Shock You! The Power of an Excess Protector

What Exactly is Excess?

The Insurance Excess (or deductible) is the first agreed-upon amount that you, the policyholder, must pay out-of-pocket towards the cost of an insurance claim before your insurer pays the remainder.

In motor insurance in Kenya, the excess is typically a fixed percentage (often 2.5% or 5%) of the vehicle’s value, subject to a pre-agreed minimum amount (e.g., KES 20,000 or KES 30,000).

How to Explain Excess to Jaymoh Who Just Had an Accident

Jaymoh needs to view his comprehensive policy as a cost-sharing partnership.

1. Why it applies: Even though he is comprehensively covered, the policy includes a mandatory excess clause. Since he was found to be at blame for the accident, this excess applies to the damage repairs on his own vehicle.
2. The purpose: Insurers include the excess to encourage policyholders to drive carefully, as they share a portion of the risk. It also discourages making claims for minor damages, which keeps administrative costs lower.
3. The mechanics: If the total repair bill for his car is KES 100,000 and his policy has an excess of KES 30,000, Jaymoh pays KES 30,000 first, and then his insurer pays the remaining KES 70,000.

The Excess Protector: A Game Changer

What if Jaymoh had an Excess Protector?

An Excess Protector is a valuable optional add-on to a Comprehensive Motor Insurance policy, purchased for a small additional premium. It is designed to waive or cover the standard excess amount that the policyholder would normally be required to pay when making a claim.

How Different Will the Scenario Be?

If Jaymoh had secured this benefit on his policy:

• In the event of the at-fault accident along Thika Road, he would still file the claim, but when he took his car to the garage, he would not have to pay the excess amount (e.g., KES 30,000) out of pocket.
• The Excess Protector essentially pays that initial portion for him, meaning the insurer would pay the full cost of the approved repairs (e.g., KES 100,000), making his cover truly zero-cost for him in this situation.

The Excess Protector provides genuine peace of mind and budget protection against the sudden, often high, out-of-pocket expense of the excess.

The Excess Shock: Why Comprehensive Cover Still Needs an Upgrade

Jaymoh, a cautious driver, was caught off guard on Thika Road. A fender bender, a police abstract, and a trip to the garage led to an unexpected demand: he had to pay an Excess before his comprehensive insurance could pay for the repairs.

Like many, Jaymoh believed "comprehensive" meant "everything paid for." This moment of confusion is common, but it highlights a critical clause in every motor insurance policy: the Insurance Excess.

What is Motor Insurance Excess and Why Does it Exist?

In the simplest terms, the excess is your mandatory financial contribution to the cost of your claim. It's the first hurdle you have to clear. For Jaymoh, who was found to be at fault for the accident, his insurer will settle the repair bills for both cars, but he has to contribute the excess towards fixing his own vehicle.

Your insurer includes an excess for valid reasons: it promotes caution by ensuring drivers have a personal stake in driving safely, and it helps keep overall premiums low by filtering out minor, small-cost claims.

The Excess Protector: Turning Confusion into Confidence

This is where the Excess Protector benefit truly shines. It is an inexpensive, but incredibly valuable, optional add-on that removes the biggest headache of a motor claim: the unexpected upfront cash payment.

The Protector puts the "Comprehensive" back into your cover!

In Jaymoh's scenario, the Excess Protector would have paid his KES 30,000 or more contribution, ensuring his repairs began immediately without any financial strain on his side. For expensive vehicles where the excess can run into tens of thousands of shillings, the small annual fee for an Excess Protector is a wise investment against a potentially massive, sudden expense. It offers stress-free claims and genuine financial security.

Before You Renew, Compare the Options!

Don't be a "Jaymoh"! The difference between a standard comprehensive policy and a truly protected one is often just a small extra fee.

To ensure you get the best value and coverage—including essential add-ons like the Excess Protector—it’s crucial to compare your options.

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd is your trusted intermediary for comparing and buying comprehensive motor insurance solutions in Kenya. We help you look beyond the premium to find a policy that fully protects your financial future in the event of an accident.

Ready to compare quotes and add a peace-of-mind Excess Protector? Contact Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd today! Call/WhatsApp: +254796209402 | +254745218460 | +254113619635 or Website www.imana.co.ke | www.mykava.co.ke

Motor Insurance Kenya, Comprehensive Cover, Insurance Excess, Excess Protector, Car Insurance Claims, Buy Car Insurance Kenya, Imana Insurance Agency.

#ExcessProtector #MotorInsuranceKE #ComprehensiveCover #CarInsuranceKenya #ImanaInsurance #StressFreeClaims #RoadSafetyKE

Would you like us to find out the typical cost range for adding an Excess Protector to your standard comprehensive policy in Kenya?