Should you take out legal assistance

samsung_laptop

When insuring a car should you take out legal assistance and why.

BeenThroughItAll

Have you read the 'Key Facts' information which will be available, describing the benefits and reasons for taking out the cover?


If this forum was down and you had to make a decision about anything, what would you do?

samsung_laptop

In all the years of driving I've never had it but after someone going in to the back of my car I was wondering if I should include it.

egyptiancotton

I had a non-fault accident back in 2012. I was stationary at red lights at a pedestrian crossing when a car ploughed into the back of mine - the driver had turned around in her seat to attend to her children sitting in the back. No argument as to whose fault it was.

My passenger and I suffered whiplash. I was off work for a couple of weeks (I had sick pay anyway so I didn't see the need to claim for time off work). My legal cover was activated and recovered my reasonable costs:

• Medical treatment
• Items in the boot of my car which were damaged
• My excess

I had to claim off my policy because the third party didn't admit fault. My legal cover also recovered my excess. The solicitors were extremely helpful and it took a load off my mind. Since then, I've always taken out legal cover with my car insurance.

suejb2

I stopped taking this when I found out my husband has it through his union

scotsbob

I find that cover bought with car insurance works out to be quite expensive. I now buy the cover separately and it's only £15 a year
https://www.driverguardian.com/motorlegalprotectionplus/

Noctu

Several years ago I was a passenger in a car which was t-boned by another driver (their fault). The driver of the car I was in had legal cover, thankfully, and we recovered expenses and compensation for the injuries I suffered (the pain of which forced me to drop out of college -- thankfully with treatment I was able to go back the following year).
Worth it for peace of mind in my opinion.

Ectophile

Legal insurance is something you can pay for years and never use it.

Then one day, somebody else causes an accident, and their insurance drags their heels about paying up. That's when you phone up the legal line, and get the lawyers you've been paying all those years to chase it up.

So you probably won't need it. But if you do, you'll be glad you had it.

[Deleted User]

For the small cost I'd say it's essential. Have had to use it a few times over the years.


As above, used to use Driver Guardian but for the last couple years I get it as part of my CSMA membership.


Both options work out far cheaper than the mainstream car insurers especially with more than one car in the household.


Cheers

jimjames

Last time I had legal cover and needed to use it I found I needed to do most of the chasing and dealing with insurance anyway so no longer bother to get it.