The Acca Insurance Calculator estimates your refund and net profit on accumulator bets when one leg loses under insurance promotions.
Acca Insurance Calculator
Example Presets
Report an issue
Spotted a wrong result, broken field, or typo? Tell us below and we’ll fix it fast.
Acca Insurance Calculator Explained
Acca insurance is a sportsbook offer that refunds your stake if exactly one leg of your accumulator loses. It is popular in football and other multi-leg markets. The refund might be cash or a free bet. Sometimes it is capped at a maximum amount.
The appeal is simple. You chase a high return while softening the pain of a near miss. The trade-off is subtle. Insurance can trim expected value if the price of the offer is baked into the odds. A calculator helps you weigh risk and return, rather than guessing.
Our approach models the probability that all legs win, exactly one leg loses, or more than one leg loses. It then applies your stake, odds, and the refund rules. You get an estimated expected value, break-even points, and a sense of how sensitive the outcome is to each leg.

How to Use Acca Insurance (Step by Step)
You only need your stake, the odds for each leg, and the offer rules. Decide whether your refund is cash or a free bet. If it is a free bet, estimate how much of that free bet usually converts to withdrawable profit.
- Confirm the offer’s eligibility: minimum legs, qualifying markets, and minimum odds per leg.
- Collect odds for each leg in one format. Convert to decimal if needed.
- Enter your stake, refund type (cash or free bet), and the refund cap if one applies.
- Choose a free-bet retention rate if the refund is not cash.
- Review the expected value and the probability of a one-leg loss.
- Adjust legs or stake to target your risk level and offer rules.
Once the numbers are in, check whether the insurance adds value or just comfort. If your acca has strong legs at fair odds, insurance can improve your downside. If the book’s margin is heavy, insurance may not offset it. Use the output to decide whether to play, pass, or tweak.
Acca Insurance Formulas & Derivations
Let each leg have decimal odds d1, d2, …, dn and implied win probability p1, p2, …, pn. A simple conversion is pi = 1/di for a rough model. We assume legs are independent. Let S be your stake. Let r be the refund rate (1.0 for full refund, 0.0 if none). If the refund is a free bet, include a retention factor k (for example, 0.7) to estimate the cash-like value. We also account for a refund cap C.
- All win probability: P_all = p1 × p2 × … × pn.
- Exactly one leg loses: P_one = Σ over j of [(1 − pj) × Π over i ≠ j of pi].
- Profit if all win: Profit_all = S × (d1 × d2 × … × dn − 1).
- Loss if no refund: −S. With insurance, when exactly one leg loses, refund_value = min(S, C) × r × k.
- Expected value EV: EV = P_all × Profit_all + P_one × (refund_value − S) + (1 − P_all − P_one) × (−S).
- Return on investment ROI: ROI = EV / S.
If the refund is cash, set k = 1.0. If it is a free bet where stake is not returned, k is often between 0.6 and 0.8 depending on typical odds used. The cap C alters the value for larger stakes. Independence is an assumption. Correlated legs make P_all and P_one inaccurate, so treat results as estimates in those cases.
Inputs and Assumptions for Acca Insurance
The calculator estimates probability and value using your inputs and clear assumptions. Keep your inputs consistent and honest. Small changes in one leg can swing the entire result.
- Stake S.
- Leg odds (decimal, fractional, or American) for each selection.
- Refund type: cash or free bet; refund rate r; retention factor k for free bets.
- Refund cap C and the promotion’s minimum legs and minimum odds per leg.
- Independence assumption for legs unless you supply adjusted probabilities.
Typical ranges include 3–12 legs and odds from 1.20 to 6.00 per leg. Edge cases include voided legs, heavily correlated picks, and promotions with complex exclusions. Caps matter most for large stakes. For fractional or American odds, conversion errors can creep in, so double-check formats.
Using the Acca Insurance Calculator: A Walkthrough
Here’s a concise overview before we dive into the key points:
- Select the number of legs and your preferred odds format.
- Enter each leg’s odds and verify minimum odds are met for the promotion.
- Input your stake S and the refund details: cash or free bet, r, k, and cap C.
- Confirm eligibility: minimum legs, market types, and any sport-specific rules.
- Run the calculation to see EV, ROI, P_all, and P_one.
- Test alternatives by changing a leg, stake size, or refund settings.
These points provide quick orientation—use them alongside the full explanations in this page.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Four-leg football acca at decimal odds 1.80, 1.70, 1.95, and 2.10 with a $50 stake. Refund is cash up to $50 if exactly one leg loses. Using p = 1/d for a quick model: p = 0.556, 0.588, 0.513, 0.476. P_all = 0.556 × 0.588 × 0.513 × 0.476 ≈ 0.080. P_one is the sum over four cases; computed it is about 0.317. Product of odds is 1.80 × 1.70 × 1.95 × 2.10 ≈ 12.51. Profit_all = $50 × (12.51 − 1) ≈ $575.5. EV = 0.080 × 575.5 + 0.317 × (50 − 50) + (1 − 0.080 − 0.317) × (−50). That is EV ≈ 46.0 + 0 + (0.603 × −50) ≈ 46.0 − 30.15 ≈ $15.85. What this means: With this rough model, the insured acca shows a positive expected value of about $15.85 on a $50 stake.
Example 2: Five-leg acca at 1.50, 1.60, 1.70, 1.80, 1.90 with a $40 stake. Refund is a free bet up to $20 if one leg loses. Use a free-bet retention k = 0.70, refund rate r = 1.0, cap C = $20. p values are 0.667, 0.625, 0.588, 0.556, 0.526. P_all ≈ 0.667 × 0.625 × 0.588 × 0.556 × 0.526 ≈ 0.068. P_one across five terms sums to about 0.304. Product of odds ≈ 1.50 × 1.60 × 1.70 × 1.80 × 1.90 ≈ 14.0. Profit_all = $40 × (14.0 − 1) = $520. Refund_value = min(40, 20) × 1.0 × 0.70 = $14 when one leg loses. EV = 0.068 × 520 + 0.304 × (14 − 40) + (1 − 0.068 − 0.304) × (−40). That is EV ≈ 35.36 + 0.304 × (−26) + 0.628 × (−40) ≈ 35.36 − 7.90 − 25.12 ≈ $2.34. What this means: Insurance with a free-bet cap barely lifts EV here; most value comes from the parlay itself.
Limits of the Acca Insurance Approach
Acca insurance is not a guarantee of profit. It reduces downside only in the specific case where exactly one leg fails. The math also relies on assumptions. If those are wrong, your results drift from reality.
- Correlation between legs breaks the independence assumption and skews probabilities.
- Free-bet retention varies by how you use refunds, affecting EV.
- Refund caps limit protection for larger stakes.
- Promotion exclusions and voided legs can nullify eligibility.
- Bookmaker margin may outweigh the benefit of insurance.
Use the calculator as a planning tool, not a promise. Test scenarios, read the terms, and confirm eligibility before you place your bet. If your edge depends on narrow assumptions, size your stake conservatively.
Units & Conversions
Odds formats, currency, and probabilities must be consistent. Misreading a fractional price or forgetting a refund cap can swing your results. Use these conversions to keep the math clean and repeatable.
| Quantity | Example | Conversion/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal odds to implied probability | 2.50 | p ≈ 1/2.50 = 0.40 (40%). Adjust for margin if needed. |
| Fractional to decimal | 3/2 | Decimal = (3/2) + 1 = 2.50. |
| American to decimal | +150 or −200 | +A: 1 + A/100 = 2.50; −A: 1 + 100/A = 1.50. |
| Refund cap to effective coverage | Cap $20, stake $40 | Covered portion = min(stake, cap) / stake = 20/40 = 0.50. |
| Free-bet retention to cash value | k = 0.70 | Free bet $20 worth ≈ $14 cash-equivalent. |
| ROI from EV and stake | EV $10, stake $50 | ROI = 10/50 = 20%. |
Read across each row to find the rule you need. Convert all odds to decimal before multiplying, then convert implied probabilities if you are modeling from prices. For free bets, set a sensible retention rate based on your usual strategy.
Common Issues & Fixes
Most problems come from format mix-ups, missing terms, or forgetting caps. The next time your result looks odd, check these first.
- Odds format mismatch: Convert fractional or American odds to decimal before entering.
- Eligibility gaps: Ensure minimum legs and per-leg odds thresholds are met.
- Refund type confusion: Set k = 1.0 for cash; use a realistic k for free bets.
- Cap not applied: Enter the promotion’s maximum refund C.
- Voided legs: Recalculate with the reduced number of legs and new eligibility.
If your EV swings wildly with small changes, your acca may be too fragile or too correlated. Trim legs, improve prices, or pass on the bet. Insurance helps with near misses, not with poor value picks.
FAQ about Acca Insurance Calculator
Does acca insurance increase expected value?
Sometimes. If the refund covers meaningful downside and prices are fair, EV can rise. If the book’s margin is heavy, insurance may only add comfort, not value.
What happens if a leg is void?
Most sportsbooks reduce the acca by one leg and recalculate. If the result still meets minimum legs for insurance, you remain eligible. Always check the offer terms.
Is a free bet refund as good as cash?
No. Free bets usually return profit only, not stake. Use a retention rate to estimate cash-like value. A typical range is 0.6–0.8.
Can I cash out and still get insurance?
Usually, cashing out voids the insurance. Many offers state that any cash out removes eligibility. Confirm the terms before using cash out.
Key Terms in Acca Insurance
Accumulator (Acca)
A multi-leg bet where every selection must win for the bet to pay. Returns multiply across legs.
Leg
One selection within the accumulator. If a leg loses, the acca usually fails.
Refund Rate
The fraction of your stake returned when exactly one leg loses, often 1.0 for full refund.
Refund Cap
The maximum amount the sportsbook will return under the insurance promotion.
Free-Bet Retention
An estimate of how much cash-equivalent value you keep from a free-bet refund.
Implied Probability
The probability suggested by the odds, often p ≈ 1/decimal odds for a quick estimate.
Overround (Margin)
The bookmaker’s built-in edge, making combined implied probabilities exceed 100%.
Variance
The spread of outcomes in your returns, higher for longer accas with bigger odds.
Sources & Further Reading
Here’s a concise overview before we dive into the key points:
- Wikipedia: Accumulator (bet) and structure of parlays
- Action Network: Odds converter and format explanations
- Wikipedia: Implied probability and odds relationships
- Wikipedia: Expected value basics and examples
- Wikipedia: Kelly criterion for stake sizing under uncertainty
- Smarkets Help: Understanding odds and conversions
These points provide quick orientation—use them alongside the full explanations in this page.