norwich union and rac legal cover-charging scam

rabialiones

i have had to pay extra for legal cover on my policy
however following an accident, i was given an info booklet by the cops regarding rac. looked thru booklet and phoned rac who confirmed that this cover was indeed free. it seems to cover all the aspects that the n u/rac legal dept. covers.
i was astounded, so was the cust. serv. assistant i was speaking to, who then rambled on that rac was going to be bought by nu so it didnt really make much difference . i think she was trying to cover something up and trying to change the course of the discussion after i told her that nu was charging me for this.
i think it is really unfair to make an additional charge for this cover when it should be included.
i have already commenced my years policy and requested legal cover so i guess i will have to continue paying for it.

telly-addict

Norwich Union, as do the majority of large motor insurers, offers a legal expenses cover as an add-on to their standard motor policy. Without this add-on, the policy does not provide any legal expenses cover (other than the standard cover for legal fees in defending a claim from a third party).

I assume from your post that you also have rescue cover with RAC. I don't know what legal expenses cover that might provide, but they will be entirely independent contracts.

Norwich Union (or rather its parent company, Aviva Group) have indeed acquired the RAC - the acquiistion has only formally been concluded in the last couple of months. RAC and Norwich Union continue to trade as separate subsidiaries.

Can only suggest that you reassess your options at renewal.

rabialiones

i do not have any cover at all with rac, i was just given a booklet by the police following a collision.
all in all it seems that if we can get the same cover free, why pay for it.
what my understanding is that if after a collision , you do need legal rep. then u just contact the rac who will take matters further.

telly-addict

This is "After the event" (ATE) rather than "Before the event" (BTE) insurance. Basically the RAC or their nominated legal reps will seek to recover any legal costs incurred from the insurers of the at fault third party vehicle.

Different terms and conditions will apply to ATE and BTE cover, although I don't know the differences between RAC ATE and Norwich Union BTE covers! It may be that RAC (under the ATE scheme) will be less inclined to take on your claim unless there is a very high probability of a successful recovery against the other vehicle in the accident.

There will certainly be greater cover afforded under a legal expenses cover bought as an add-on to an insurance policy, although it may not be any better in respect of this one accident. There will be other benefits unrelated to making a claim after a motor accident, but again I don't know the specifics.

Sorry if the above sounds a bit vague, but I don't have full details of either cover!