Insurance legal cover.

[Albannach]

My recent insurance searchings have got me wondering about the 'legal cover' that they always give us.

I have 3 vehicle policies, all with legal cover on them. Is that really needed?

Obviously I want it, but do I have to pay for it for each individual vehicle?

Or - will the legal cover I have with, say, my bank account, cover the vehicles too?

[Dodge]

Go here... yourkey.

[Albannach]

That looks interesting, thanks

[Albannach]

Ah, wait. This appears to be a high tech ambulance chaser.

"If the accident was your fault then you or your insurer will have to bear the cost."

[Dodge]

Ah, wait. This appears to be a high tech ambulance chaser.

"If the accident was your fault then you or your insurer will have to bear the cost."

Legal cover won't help if it's your fault anyway, if it's your fault you can't claim from the third party.

[Albannach]

Legal cover won't help if it's your fault anyway, if it's your fault you can't claim from the third party.

No, but legal cover will cover my legal costs if they decide to sue or take the claim to court.

[Dodge]

No, but legal cover will cover my legal costs if they decide to sue or take the claim to court.

Isn't that what the "third party" part of your insurance is for?

[Albannach]

Isn't that what the "third party" part of your insurance is for?

Nope, the third party is the person or thing you crash in to. If a case goes to court, it's the individual that is in court, not the insurance company. The losing party (again, not the insurance company) has to pay both side's legal fees. That's what the legal cover is for.

I just want to know if I need multiple instances of legal cover or if one policy will cover everything.

[Dodge]

Nope, the third party is the person or thing you crash in to. If a case goes to court, it's the individual that is in court, not the insurance company. The losing party (again, not the insurance company) has to pay both side's legal fees. That's what the legal cover is for.

I just want to know if I need multiple instances of legal cover or if one policy will cover everything.

I've just been on three insurance company websites and they all state that their legal cover is for non-fault claims. Not as you say for defending against being sued. If you have third party insurance, the third parties insurer will claim from your insurer, not you personally.

Hastings, AJ insurance and Privilege if you want to check.

[Albannach]

Why would I want insurance to insure me against something I didn't do?

[Dodge]

Why would I want insurance to insure me against something I didn't do?

Eh? You're not. You're missing the point of legal cover.

Read the legal cover bit of some online insurers...

If you are involved in a motor accident which is not your fault, your insurer will try to recover your uninsured losses from the person who caused the accident.

Uninsured losses can include:

Compensation for you not being able to use your vehicle.
Your policy excess under your motor insurance policy.
Compensation for damage to your clothes, luggage or personal belongings.
Reasonable charges for a replacement hire vehicle whilst yours is being repaired.
Repair costs if you do not have comprehensive motor insurance cover.
Compensation if you are injured or killed.

Legal expenses and uninsured loss recovery

All of our motor policies include membership of our claims management service. In the event of an accident the team of specialist claims advisors will offer you assistance and guidance to ensure you are fully reimbursed for any uninsured losses you may incur as a result of an accident that is not your fault. These uninsured losses can include:

Repairs to your vehicle
Your policy excess
Loss of earnings
Hire car costs
Compensation for injuries

If someone else is to blame for an accident, our team will ensure your claim is settled satisfactorily for you without delay.

If you have a road traffic accident that is not your fault, you have a right to be able to claim back losses from the driver responsible.

The hourly rate for a qualified solicitor or legal executive’s costs is likely to be in excess of £100 **. Our legal protection cover will provide for up to £100,000 of legal costs to help you to recover losses that cannot be claimed from any insurance policy.

Examples may include:

Compensation for death or Injury
Your car insurance excess under your comprehensive policy
Accident repair costs if you do not have comprehensive cover
Compensation for damage to your clothes, luggage or personal belongings if you do not have comprehensive cover
Hire car costs
Loss of earnings
And, if your losses can be recovered in full, your no claims bonus will not be affected.

This cover also provides protection for any one else authorised to drive or use the car and for any authorised passengers.

The solicitor acting for you under this cover will handle all aspects of your claim such as locating a specialist should this be necessary as a result of injury resulting from the accident. These costs will be met by this cover.

The appointed solicitor will operate under Law Society Regulations and, should you choose to appoint one of our solicitor’s, they will also have to operate under our own high service level protocols – ensuring that you receive the professional legal service you would expect.

All in all, aiming to provide you with peace of mind and a hassle free solution when you need it most.

**Information taken from the 2005 Guide to the Summary Assessment of Costs. Source: www.courtservice.gov.uk

Privilege Insurance. Conditions Apply.

[Albannach]

Eh? You're not. You're missing the point of legal cover.

Read the legal cover bit of some online insurers...

No I'm not.

Your quotes refer to uninsured losses. Those are a completely different thing. They can only be paid to the person 'not at fault' and the compensation will include reimbursement of legal costs. Which is what the bloke in the link you posted is saying. I have no issue with that.

I want insurance to insure me in case I am taken to court in an effort to apportion blame for the actual accident. Those costs (for both parties), should I lose, would have to be bourne by me; hence the need for insurance. Being on the losing side, according to the folk in your link, will cost me money.

[yoshie]

Interesting reading, thanks for posting.

[JohnnyWalkabout]

Legal cover,covers legal fees.

My friend pulled over on a country road to let a beer truck past. He was stationary and the truck rolled over his wing. The truck driver later claimed that he was stationary and my friend drove into him.

As we were 18ish at the time he only had third party insurance with no legal cover. He couldn't afford to fight the case so he got shafted.

Insurance is one thing but the law serves the rich. Make sure you have legal cover.


However I have two vehicles, one for work and one surf. Tried driving both at once, cant do it. Why do I need to be insured twice??

[yoshie]

Legal cover,covers legal fees.

My friend pulled over on a country road to let a beer truck past. He was stationary and the truck rolled over his wing. The truck driver later claimed that he was stationary and my friend drove into him.

As we were 18ish at the time he only had third party insurance with no legal cover. He couldn't afford to fight the case so he got shafted.

Insurance is one thing but the law serves the rich. Make sure you have legal cover.


However I have two vehicles, one for work and one surf. Tried driving both at once, cant do it. Why do I need to be insured twice??

That's the biggest joke and the first firm to offer decent priced trade type policy for joe public will get very busy very quick.