Legal insurance, the new PPI?

[Rick101]

I have always wondered what legal insurance (motor) as for. I have asked a few insurance bods over the years but never seem to get a straight answer. It just sees to be an easy thing to charge extra for that very rarely gets used.

It's not just motor, I have quite a few policies that have legal and I've never made use of any of them. Begs the question, did I need it? As I understand it, it's essentially insurance so the sellers should be checking it's the right product for me, correct?

Off the top of my head, I think it's usually set at 50K and I have cover on my car policy x2, legal on home insurance, legal cover on my union membership. I think RAC entitles you to legal too. I have a couple of health policies, fairly sure they offer legal as well. I'm sure there are several more.

There must be many people in the same situation

Can I actually make use of any of this and sue the government?

[sidekickdmr]

Rick101 said:

As I understand it, it's essentially insurance so the sellers should be checking it's the right product for me, correct?

Nope, Legal insurance to there to cover your legal costs if you ever need to take anyone to court etc.

Have a prang in your car and want to take that uninsured driver to court to recoup losses? Legal cover on motor insurance.

Been dismissed unfairly from your job and want legal advice/representation? Legal insurance on your home policy

Etc

Etc

[Rick101]

If I had to take someone to court, can you not claim for costs to be met be the liable party?

[Aretnap]

Rick101 said:

If I had to take someone to court, can you not claim for costs to be met be the liable party?

Not if you lose. And even if you win, most small to medium claims would involve a no win no fee arrangement which would mean that your solicitor would keep a percentage of your compensation (up to 25%) for himself. Using legal cover avoids these problems.