Car Insurance Legal Expense Cover – the Policy Essential

Summary

Is legal expense cover truly an optional extra, or should it be viewed an essential? We assess it here and advise.

Author: Catriona Singfield

Like many people buying car insurance, you shop around and buy online.

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You've found a really good, cost-efficient deal. So when it comes to the final checkout, do you choose to tick Yes or No in that Legal Expenses Cover box? It will add a little more to the total, and it's not an absolute requirement, so you may be tempted to leave it out. Not least because it's definitely not the most well-known part of insurance! It is, however, something we think you really should consider adding if it's not in the policy as standard. And here's an example of why:

Earlier in the year Jake, one of our freelance writers, was involved in a car accident. His Golf Mark I is his pride and joy, and he's spent many happy weekends working on it. So naturally, he wanted total insurance coverage for every eventuality – even legal expenses.

This certainly proved to be the right decision after the accident. The car was hit from the rear, so some of the vehicle damage could be fixed. The insurance company worked fast to deal with the claim. Unfortunately, Jake also suffered a broken wrist and some whiplash. If he hadn't taken legal expenses cover, the bill for a solicitor to pursue his compensation claim would have been ( life assurance ) solely his responsibility. Fortunately, since he had the cover, Jake was able to get his compensation quickly. Working as a freelance writer, Jake doesn't have the safety net of employer sick pay. Lost hours mean lost money. Jake was out of work for a month – and a month's wages. With legal expenses cover, however, Jake was able to claim for loss of earnings and will receive compensation for them any day now.

The total cost of this peace of ( personal secured loans ) mind and earnings security? An extra £2 a month on his premium, surely a worthwhile investment for anyone's money!

Fully comprehensive car insurance ensures that your vehicle is well taken care of, but how about the driver? Jake's accident was not his fault, but he had to spend a month ( online car insurance ) off work. Without legal expenses cover, the cost of getting compensation would have fallen to him. With it, he was as well protected as his beloved car, and didn't have to worry about being able to afford to make a claim.

Click here for part 2

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