The excess can vary but it is usually around the £250 mark but i dont think £500 would be unaaceptable, out of intrest how much did you pay for the policy. PM me if you prefer not to discuss on a open forum
My broker has just emailed me regarding my query:-
Across all insurers Third Party Property Damage excess is £500, it is very rare that an insurer would have it any lower.
I think it was increased a few years ago following a vast number of claims in this respect
In all honesty she could be on the money there but its hard to say as each insurer does work on a diffrent basis. When she refers to claims does she mean yourself or your industry in general?