Motor legal expenses is an optional type of insurance protection that can help cover legal costs arising from certain motoring incidents. It is often offered alongside a car insurance policy and is sometimes called motor legal protection or legal expenses cover.
The exact protection depends on the insurer and policy, but it commonly helps with legal costs when you need to recover losses following an accident that was not your fault. (Allianz Insurance)
What Does Motor Legal Expenses Cover?
Motor legal expenses can help pay for costs such as solicitor fees, legal advice and certain court-related expenses when an eligible claim is pursued or defended.
Depending on the policy, it may help recover uninsured losses such as:
- Your insurance excess
- Loss of earnings
- Medical expenses
- Reasonable travel expenses
- Car hire costs
- Damage to personal belongings
- Certain personal injury losses
The exact list varies between insurers, so the policy wording should always be checked before relying on the cover. (moneysupermarket.com)
When Would You Use Motor Legal Expenses?
A common example is an accident where another driver is responsible.
Your normal motor insurance may deal with the vehicle damage, but you could still have other losses that are not covered by your main policy. Motor legal expenses can provide legal assistance to help pursue those losses from the responsible party.
For example, you might have paid your insurance excess, lost income because of an injury or needed alternative transport while your vehicle was unavailable.
Does It Cover You If You Caused the Accident?
Usually, motor legal expenses is primarily designed to help with eligible claims where another party is responsible. Some policies can also provide legal defence for certain motoring prosecutions or disputes, but this depends on the policy.
It is not the same as third-party liability insurance or comprehensive vehicle insurance.
What Does Motor Legal Expenses Not Cover?
Motor legal expenses does not normally pay every cost associated with a motoring problem.
Common exclusions can include:
- Fines and penalties
- Claims that fall outside the policy terms
- Incidents that happened before the policy started
- Legal cases with insufficient prospects of success
- Certain incidents involving alcohol or drugs
- Costs above the policy’s stated limits
Some policies also require the insurer to agree to legal representation before costs are incurred. (Allianz Insurance)
Is Motor Legal Expenses the Same as Car Insurance?
No.
Your main car insurance protects you against risks specified in your motor policy, such as damage to your vehicle or liability to other people.
Motor legal expenses is focused on the legal costs associated with eligible motoring claims and disputes. It can therefore work alongside your main insurance rather than replacing it.
Check Whether You Already Have Legal Cover
Before paying for additional motor legal expenses cover, check your existing insurance documents.
Legal expenses protection may already be included in your motor policy or another insurance product you have. (lawsociety.org.uk)
Look for terms such as:
- Motor Legal Expenses
- Motor Legal Protection
- Legal Expenses Cover
- Legal Assistance
What to Check Before Buying
If you are considering motor legal expenses cover, check:
- The maximum amount the insurer will pay
- What types of incidents are covered
- Whether personal injury claims are included
- Whether excess recovery is included
- Whether loss of earnings is covered
- Whether legal representation is provided
- Any minimum prospects-of-success requirement
- Important exclusions and time limits
Two policies can have the same name but provide different levels of protection.
Keep Your Policy Documents
If you are involved in an accident, keep your insurance details, photographs, witness information, repair documents and other relevant evidence.
Contact your insurer promptly if you believe you need to use your motor legal expenses cover. They can explain whether the incident is covered and what procedure you need to follow.
For drivers preparing for long-distance journeys, having the correct insurance documents and emergency information available can make dealing with an unexpected incident much easier.
