Motor legal protection

It’s often a car insurance optional add-on that can cover legal expenses, up to an agreed limit, related to a car accident that wasn’t your fault. Although some insurers may offer motor legal protection (or car insurance legal cover) as standard, other insurers may charge extra to add it to the policy.

Here are the basics with this type of cover: 

• it applies in motoring accidents or incidents that aren’t your fault. 
• in making a claim, there must be 
  • someone you can hold responsible for compensation or financial losses. 
  • a reasonable chance of success, which means it must be more likely to succeed than not.

It can help you recover, from the person who caused the accident, losses you suffered. Some of which may include:

1. damages to your car, especially if you don’t have comprehensive car insurance. 
2. personal injury costs, either to yourself or any passengers. 
3. earning losses if you’re not able to work because of injuries from the incident. 
4. expenses like the excess on your car insurance policy.
5. travel costs if you’re no longer able to use your vehicle.

In what can often be a stressful situation, motor legal protection may provide access to expert legal advice to help guide you through the process and manage costs after an accident that wasn’t your fault. In many cases, you could keep 100% of any compensation if you have this cover in place before an accident. However, this might not apply if you choose an ‘after the event’ claims management company operating on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, as they may deduct a portion of your compensation.

As you may expect, the cost itself will vary depending on the insurer. Generally, you'll be paying a additional fee annually, and in return it may protect you against as much as £100,000 in legal expenses. 

It’s worth checking your policy documents to review what level of protection you have, since some insurers offer (some level of) legal protection as standard.

Although you don’t need it to drive legally on the roads, as you would with car insurance, it may be worth thinking about having motor legal cover.

It's important to review some of the benefits and limitations, although not an exhaustive list below, before making a decision.

Make sure to check the details of any motor legal policy you're looking to get, as different insurers will vary in the products, cover and limitations they offer.

Yes, it is. But remember to shop around for the best deal, as the prices you pay will vary depending on the level of protection you’re offered.

Yes, but it’s worth checking with your insurer and it won’t protect you from events that already happened. Generally, you should be able to update your car insurance policy to include motor legal protection at any point, but there may be a fee associated with the update.