Excess is the first amount payable by an insured in terms of the policy and which needs to be paid before reinstatement commences. Cumulative excess is the additional excess over and above basic excess or other excesses. For example, there might be a geyser excess of R3,000 plus a resulting damage excess of R2,000 (cumulative) plus another cumulative excess of say R2,500 for laminate floors. This varies from policy to policy. In sectional title, the owner is required to pay the excess.