Alyssa Lane
Motor legal protection insurance, also known as legal expenses cover, is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy. It covers legal expenses that may not be covered by your standard car insurance, such as legal advice and solicitors' fees associated with pursuing or defending a car insurance claim. It can also provide cover for other car-related situations, such as disputes when buying or selling a car. The cost of this additional cover is relatively low, typically between £10 and £35 per year, and it can save you thousands of pounds in legal fees. However, it is not a legal requirement, and some comprehensive car insurance policies include legal expenses as standard. So, is it worth it?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Typically between £10 and £35 a year. |
| Peace of mind | Motor legal protection can provide peace of mind in the event of an accident. |
| Legal advice helpline | Some policies include a 24-hour legal advice helpline for quick access to legal advice. |
| Personal legal matters | Some policies cover personal legal matters such as employment, family, conveyancing, and probate. |
| Motor-related disputes | Covers disputes when buying or selling a car, or defending against motoring offences. |
| No win, no fee | Some providers offer a 'no win, no fee' service, but they may take a cut of your compensation. |
| Standalone policies | Standalone policies can be purchased separately, sometimes at a lower cost than add-ons. |
| Comprehensive policies | Comprehensive car insurance policies may already include legal expenses cover. |
| Alternative options | Trade unions or packaged bank accounts may offer access to free legal advice. |
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What You'll Learn
- Motor legal protection covers legal expenses after an accident
- It's not a legal requirement, but it can provide peace of mind
- It's relatively cheap, but may not always pay out
- It can be purchased separately or as part of a comprehensive policy
- There are alternatives to motor legal protection, such as 'no-win, no-fee' solicitors
Motor legal protection covers legal expenses after an accident
Motor legal protection, also known as legal expenses cover, is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy. It covers legal expenses after an accident, including legal advice, court fees, and solicitors' fees. This can be especially useful if you are involved in a non-fault accident, as it can help you pursue a claim against the other driver.
The cost of motor legal protection typically ranges from £10 to £35 per year, depending on the insurer and the level of cover chosen. Some comprehensive car insurance policies include legal expenses cover as standard, so it is important to check your existing policy before purchasing additional cover. Additionally, if you are a member of a trade union, you may already have access to free legal advice.
Motor legal protection can provide peace of mind by covering legal fees, which can quickly spiral into the thousands. It can also help you claim back various expenses incurred after an accident, such as lost earnings, ongoing treatment costs, and hire car costs. However, it is important to note that motor legal protection will not cover you if you were at fault for the accident, and your claim may be rejected if too much time has passed or if the amount contested is not worth the expense of a court case.
When considering motor legal protection, it is essential to carefully review the policy's terms and conditions, as the level of cover and specific inclusions may vary across insurers. While it can provide valuable financial protection in the event of an accident, it is an optional extra, and individuals must decide whether the additional cost is worth the potential benefits.
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It's not a legal requirement, but it can provide peace of mind
Motor legal protection insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, it can provide peace of mind for those who want financial protection against legal fees and losses following an accident that was not their fault.
Legal cover can help you claim back losses not covered by your main car insurance after a non-fault road traffic collision. It can also provide legal cover for other car-related situations, such as disputes when buying or selling a car, or defending yourself if accused of a motoring offence.
Motor legal protection insurance typically costs between £10 and £35 per year, and some policies include free legal advice on a range of personal matters, such as employment, family, conveyancing and probate. It's worth noting that some comprehensive car insurance policies include legal expenses cover as standard, so it's important to check your existing policy before purchasing additional cover.
If you decide that motor legal protection insurance is not for you, there are alternative options available. For example, you can register with a website like FreeMotorLegal.co.uk to access free legal assistance in the event of a non-fault accident, or you can engage a 'no win, no fee' solicitor who will only take a cut of your compensation if you win the case.
Ultimately, the decision to purchase motor legal protection insurance is a personal one. While it is not a legal requirement, it can provide valuable peace of mind and financial protection in the event of an accident.
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It's relatively cheap, but may not always pay out
Motor legal protection cover, also known as legal expenses cover, is an optional extra that you can add to your car insurance policy. It is not a legal requirement, and whether you need it or not depends on your circumstances.
The cost of motor legal protection cover is relatively cheap, typically ranging from £10 to £35 a year. Some insurance providers even offer comprehensive car insurance with legal expenses cover included as standard within the cost of the policy. Considering the small annual cost, motor legal protection cover could save you thousands of pounds in expensive legal fees.
However, it may not always pay out. For example, your claim might be rejected if too much time has passed since the incident, or if the amount you're contesting isn't worth the expense of a court case. Insurers will usually only fund a legal action if there is a better than 50% prospect of success, and there is money to pay a successful claim.
Before purchasing motor legal protection cover, it is important to check if you already have legal expenses cover included in your existing car insurance policy. If you have a comprehensive policy, you are less likely to need legal cover. It is also worth considering if you already have access to legal advice through other means, such as through your home insurance, via a packaged bank account, or through membership of a trade union.
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It can be purchased separately or as part of a comprehensive policy
Motor legal protection cover, also known as legal expenses cover, is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy. It is not a legal requirement, so whether or not to purchase it is down to personal preference. It can be purchased as a separate policy or added to your existing policy.
The cost of motor legal protection cover varies, but it is generally quite affordable, ranging from £9.99 to £35 per year. Some stand-alone policies can be up to 60% cheaper than those taken as an optional extra with vehicle insurance. It is worth shopping around and comparing policies to decide which option is better value for money and offers the right cover for your needs.
If you have a comprehensive policy, it is worth checking if you already have legal cover as standard. If you are unsure whether you need legal protection, you should consider whether the peace of mind of being covered is worth the added cost. Legal cover can be beneficial in the event of an accident, as legal costs can be expensive. It can also provide cover for other car-related situations, such as disputes when buying or selling a car.
Before purchasing motor legal protection, it is important to check if you already have legal cover through another policy, such as home insurance or via a packaged bank account. You should also check if you are covered through your membership of a trade union, as they may provide access to free legal advice.
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There are alternatives to motor legal protection, such as 'no-win, no-fee' solicitors
Motor legal protection insurance, also known as legal expenses cover, is an optional extra that you can add to your car insurance policy. It can help cover the costs of legal advice and solicitors' fees associated with pursuing or defending a car insurance claim that's not covered by your regular car insurance. It typically costs between £10 and £35 a year, but some insurance providers offer comprehensive car insurance with legal expenses cover included as standard.
There are alternatives to motor legal protection, such as no-win, no-fee solicitors. No-win, no-fee solicitors won't charge you if your case is unsuccessful, but you'll likely have to pay them a significant percentage of any compensation or damages if you win. Before choosing this option, be sure to read the fine print carefully to ensure it will be worthwhile. Additionally, you may be able to find discounted or free legal advice to help you with your claim. You may qualify for legal aid as long as you're not making a personal injury claim.
Another alternative is to upgrade to a more comprehensive car insurance policy that includes legal expenses cover as standard. This can sometimes be more cost-effective than adding motor legal protection as an extra to your existing policy. Some stand-alone legal expenses policies are offered at up to 60% less than the cost of those taken as an optional extra with vehicle insurance.
You may also want to consider if you already have access to legal advice through other means. For example, if you have a comprehensive car insurance policy, check to see if motor legal protection is already included. Additionally, if you are a member of a trade union, you may have access to free legal advice.
Finally, it's worth considering the likelihood of needing to make a claim. If you feel that the chances of being involved in an accident or having a dispute related to your vehicle are low, you may decide that the cost of motor legal protection is not worth it for you.
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Frequently asked questions
Motor legal protection is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy that covers legal expenses in the event of a claim.
Motor legal protection typically costs between £10 and £35 a year, but some providers offer comprehensive car insurance with legal expenses cover included as standard.
Motor legal protection covers legal expenses that arise from car-related situations, such as accidents, disputes when buying or selling a car, or defending yourself against a motoring offence.
Motor legal protection can provide peace of mind in the event of an accident, as legal costs can be expensive. However, it is not mandatory and whether it is worth it depends on your individual circumstances. It is important to consider whether you already have legal cover through another policy or membership and to shop around to find the best value for money.
