car insurance legal expenses - included but....

badbetty_2

best wishes to everyone

over the last few years I have been getting car insurance quotes that say legal expenses cover is included in the quote price.

when i ring up and say i dont want it, i have been informed that 'its included by default' and the price stays the same.

now then, is this right as it feels to me that i am being forced to take the cover and i must be paying for it one way or another.

incidentally (or not) when one reads the T&C's it usually says that for the legal expenses cover, that it can be cancelled within 14 days and the premium refunded - confused!

seems to be insurance agents etc are getting around this choice issue by suggesting its included by default in the quote price. under consumer laws etc, is this correct or should i be able to opt out and received a reduced premium (how ever small) ?

thanks for any comments.

Norman_Castle

should i be able to opt out and received a reduced premium

As its not optional just compare the quote with others that have what you require.

badbetty_2

@NormanCastle

Thank you for taking time to reply.

I am comfortable with comparing quotes etc.

Perhaps my question was not clear, I am asking if the practice of including by default (and therefore costed in the quote price) is against any consumer law or other governance that suggests you can opt out?

This 'default inclusion' practise is also seemingly confused and contradicted by the T&Es I mentioned that seems to support cancellation and premium refund, but the reality on the phone is not the case.

Quentin

Policies aren't standard.

An insurer can include whatever extras they want as incentives to buy.

To answer your question, it isn't against any law to give you complimentary extras.

rs65

They are including it for £0.00. If you want to cancel, you will receive a refund of £0.00.

badbetty_2

well thank you for your clarifications opinions and views.
Seems most think it is not unreasonable or not an issue.

still seems a bit bizarre to me to be complimentary signed in to a legal agreement - and i cant believe its free and the the insurance agent pays for it out of generosity ;-)

take it easy.

BertTheRaccoon

It's free because legal protection policies are champertous on the whole and it is just a way of the insurer having a better chance of capturing you as a consumer after a non-fault accident.

Referral fees are illegal after 1st April, so admiral have got into bed with a law firm called Lyons Davidson to make sure they continue to earn money from non fault pi claims.