Legal Expenses

  • In many motor insurance and household insurance policies you could find a section entitling you to free legal advice. This is called "BEFORE THE EVENT LEGAL EXPENSES".
  • It sounds attractive even though you probably didn;'t even know you'd paid for it as an addition to your premiums. Insurance companies should, of course, ask you before charging you the extra sum, whether you want it, but anyway you'll probably say yes for, say, an extra £20.00 a year. Sounds good, doesn't it? You have an accident caused, you think, by somebody else and "legal expenses" will help you get your due compensation.
  • But all is not as it seems.
  • Firstly, shortly after your unfortunate accident you are given the impression that you must be represented by the Solicitors chosen by your Insurers. Not true.
  • In fact, often, within a day or two of your accident you're likely to be contacted by a firm of Solicitors you have never even heard of, telling you that they've been instructed by your Insurers to represent you.
  • These Solicitors could be at the other end of the country but they'll be asking you to sign a form which in effect appears to tie you to them for your legal representation.
  • These Solicitors will be on a panel chosen by your Insurers who will have referred your case to them in return for a fee from those Solicitors often £500.00 or more.
  • Often, their geographical location will prevent you from visiting them to explain fully how you feel and communication may become difficult over the ensuing weeks, months or years so that you may never get to know your legal representative.
  • The truth is, in fact, you just don't need legal expenses. You don't need to pay the extra premium on your insurance policy and you don't need to commit yourself to the insurance company's choice of Solicitors.
  • Why? Well, if the accident is your fault, you will not get legal representation at all and if it is not your fault then you are in a position to instruct a firm of Solicitors close to where you live, such as ourselves, your choice, who will not charge you at all for their services.
  • So check your insurance policy before agreeing to the contents and think hard before signing up to its terms and conditions.
  • Do you really want to be a referred case to a firm you would not normally instruct knowing that they are paying your Insurers for that referral? If the answer is no, then remember, you are entitled to the Solicitor or legal representative of your choice.