Legal Expenses Insurance

You may have a policy prior to the accident or take one out afterwards.  Legal insurance will normally cover you against having to pay the legal costs of pursuing a case.  This can be full cover - they cover everything - or adverse cover - they will not pay your own solicitor's costs and require the solicitor to act under a no win no fee agreement (conditional fee agreement).

Pre-existing Insurance

Where you have a policy of legal expenses insurance at the time of your accident they will probably appoint a solicitor for you. Unfortunately, you will be taking pot luck on the solicitor you get. Some are very good, some are absolutely appalling and there is a fair group in the middle. To a lot of them the only concern is settling the case so that they can be paid.

The insurer will probably advise you that you have to use the solicitor appointed by them. This is simply not true. You have an absolute entitlement to instruct any solicitor you wish and if you are not happy with the solicitor they appoint then you should change.

If the case is tough some legal expenses insurers are quite likely to withdraw cover. They are happy to take your money, but do not want to risk having to pay out on the policy. Often the rejection of the case will be on the advice of your solicitor. Do not be fooled by this. Just because they are not prepared to back your case does not mean you have no case.  We regularly take over successful claims where the legal expenses insurer's solicitor has said there is no case.

After-the-event Insurance

If you do not already have a policy then, as long as you have reasonable prospects, one can be obtained for you. Policies are available where you do not have to pay unless you win your case and you will not have to contribute any of your damages to the costs, so do not be sold a policy where you have to pay whatever the result.

We offer a no-obligation initial consultation. If it goes no further there is no charge. Ring us to speak to the real experts on 0800 783 6191

Don't be someone else's learning curve. Call our 24 hour help hotline on 0800 783 6191 for clear, expert legal help or e-mail us at contact@whitedalton.co.uk

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