You can happily decline the (typical) £30 for free legal assistance offered to you when you take out motor insurance. You weren't ever buying what you thought you were buying. Your insurer takes your £30 and also takes a commission from a lawyer for introducing you. The lawyer gets his fees from the insurance companies involved, whichever party is at fault.
What is Motor Legal Protection?
Motor Legal Protection, also called Legal Expenses Insurance, is usually sold as an "add on" to your main motor insurance policy. It is a separate insurance policy that covers your legal fees if you need to pursue somebody for losses and expenses after an accident that was not your fault. Some policies also provide assistance if you are prosecuted for an offence.
Usually the cost of these policies is in the region of £25-£30 per year, per car/van/bike that you have insured. So if you have several vehicles in your household, the odds are if you have bought motor legal protection, you have purchased it several times over each year!
What is Free Motor Legal?
Free Motor Legal is a free to join membership organisation that provide an accident management and ULR service, but without the need to actually take out a legal expenses insurance policy. This saves you money each year on your vehicle insurance needs and also does not restrict you with how many vehicles you own. You only need to join once and then forget about being charged by your insurer or broker for legal cover ever again! You can change your motor insurer each year, but you only need to register with Free Motor Legal once.
How do I join?
Just register your details to receive your membership pack which gives you all the support and assistance you need if you are involved in a collision that was not your fault, or where blame is disputed.
Remember, there are no fees to join and there is no need to renew your membership each year, so you need never get charged for a motor legal protection policy by your insurer or broker ever again. We are Free Motor Legal, put simply, the way it should be.
see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/cars/article-3365639/Save-30-year-car-insurance-New-website-offers-free-legal-service.html
Top comments
walshy2
13 Jan 1611#6
This sounds suspiciously like ambulance chasers getting in there early so they don't even need to make phone calls. May be cynical but that is the way the claims companies have us these days sorry but cold from me
Dryosh
14 Jan 168#7
I can't stress how important it is you should buy the legal cover. Having had to use my legal cover I would never not pay the nominal fee for it, they gave me the services of a top solicitor which would have cost thousands, I suspect the free one will supply you with some rubbish trainee at some back street shyster to cut costs.
Seriously people, it's £25/30 and well worth it if the worst comes to happen.
kester76
13 Jan 167#5
Only freebie I get from unite is the 101 letters asking for me to vote and the odd crap insurance deal.
suley9
14 Jan 165#20
For the Bin!
A quick google on the registered address shows at a residential home.
Secondly this is simply a Ambulance Chasing Service! Like all others they are only interested in your passengers and if its not your fault then you and your car.
For reference a ULR policy provides funds to cover any legal expenses ie solicitors costs and if you go to court then the costs of that, any assessments etc. The solicitors costs pay for the person to claim for your uninsuired losses ie excess, that laptop that some how broke etc yes you can do some of it yourself but the ulr fund pays for it.
Insurance companies have the right to make a decision on a case, if you dont agree, let them know, if they dont agree with your reasoning and say they will settle then inform them if they wish to exercise the right which they have under the T&C's then do so on a without prejudice basis, that way u can harass your ulr provider to see sense.
Also on a side note most MLP cover is provided by either accident management companies or solicitors who have a huge interest in personal injury claims. Alot of them now provider insurance registration services and claims management for insurance companies ie M&S, Post Office, AA Insurance etc and these only have an interest in the injury. So when you buy a policy ask who is the provider, you can always add MLP a few days after the policy starts. Its best to google is a solicitors firm who is interested in accidents or a proper law firm.
Thats my 2 cents as a Claims Handler who dealt with these idiots!
All comments (32)
sarahlou1uk
13 Jan 16#1
Just sent for mine.
arcangel111
13 Jan 161#2
I get my legal cover through my union membership - so if anyone out there is also in a union .. look into it :smiley:
Uridium
13 Jan 162#3
Which Union?
baldude
13 Jan 16#4
unite?
kester76
13 Jan 167#5
Only freebie I get from unite is the 101 letters asking for me to vote and the odd crap insurance deal.
walshy2
13 Jan 1611#6
This sounds suspiciously like ambulance chasers getting in there early so they don't even need to make phone calls. May be cynical but that is the way the claims companies have us these days sorry but cold from me
Dryosh
14 Jan 168#7
I can't stress how important it is you should buy the legal cover. Having had to use my legal cover I would never not pay the nominal fee for it, they gave me the services of a top solicitor which would have cost thousands, I suspect the free one will supply you with some rubbish trainee at some back street shyster to cut costs.
Seriously people, it's £25/30 and well worth it if the worst comes to happen.
Graham1979 to Dryosh
17 Jan 16#28
Exactly what he says! 25ish is a bargain that you hopefully wont need bit if you do.....
999kernow
14 Jan 16#8
I get mine from barclays and unison both fred
antdav to 999kernow
14 Jan 162#9
Who's Fred, he seems like a nice chap :stuck_out_tongue:
Predikuesi to 999kernow
14 Jan 163#11
arcangel111
14 Jan 16#10
GMB
kester76
14 Jan 162#12
Fred has got strangler hands :confused:
matty_art
14 Jan 16#13
Insurance companies don't take commission from legal companies - referral fees were outlawed several years ago. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14846666
antdav
14 Jan 161#14
Zameen
14 Jan 16#15
it would be good to know if anyone has actually had to use this service and it worked out.
Her_Indoors
14 Jan 164#16
I have only had to use my legal cover once - and the lawyers couldn't care less about ME, the innocent victim and injured party. They were just keen to wrap the whole thing up asap ( and presumably get their fee from the insurance Company).
Three years of trying to get it sorted, and the solicitors told me I had to accept the miserly figure offered by the other sides insurers..... or else they would tell MY insurers they would not continue to support me, and my legal cover would be withdrawn.
They threatened that if I took my case to a judge and the judge decided the other sides offer was reasonable - I would have to pay ALL the legal fees of both sides (3 years worth) - hence I could end up with a bill for tens of thousands..... or more.
So I had to give in and settle for 3 years worth of whiplash 'discomfort' - despite the fact I had actually broken bones in my spine and shoulder during the crash......and I am still in pain and on medication over 20 years later.
I have had to pay for a private Physio, private Chiropractor, Orthopaedic Mattress and pillows etc......as well as 20 years of prescription medication.
I still take out the legal cover - but I would certainly have a different attitude to my insurers and THEIR legal team if I ever have need of them again.
From my experience the Solicitors are there to represent THEIR clients - the insurance company, and NOT the Insured driver.
Badgerzz to Her_Indoors
14 Jan 16#26
Well that is how it works. They obviously didn't feel you had a reasonable prospect of getting a higher award with their experience. They know roughly how much a court is likely to award and no doubt had more experience than you had with claims valuations at that time.
hughwp to Her_Indoors
15 Jan 16#27
Agreed when someone went into the back of me the paid legal assistance was useless because I had a old banger I had to negotiate every thing myself with the other parties insurance company as neither my insurer or there legal aid people were interested.
These no fee ones are great provided your a care full driver as they claim all their expenses of the other parties insurers when they are at fault for accident
ssc1
14 Jan 16#17
thanks good find.
ssc1
14 Jan 16#18
steeplejack fred dibnah - legend
nicknackn
14 Jan 161#19
This is a useful post especially as currently trying to sort an accident out and been told by Privilege (who are atrocious!) that they get to decide whether they take anything to court. So motor legal protection is another money-making con.
Thank you for sharing!
suley9
14 Jan 165#20
For the Bin!
A quick google on the registered address shows at a residential home.
Secondly this is simply a Ambulance Chasing Service! Like all others they are only interested in your passengers and if its not your fault then you and your car.
For reference a ULR policy provides funds to cover any legal expenses ie solicitors costs and if you go to court then the costs of that, any assessments etc. The solicitors costs pay for the person to claim for your uninsuired losses ie excess, that laptop that some how broke etc yes you can do some of it yourself but the ulr fund pays for it.
Insurance companies have the right to make a decision on a case, if you dont agree, let them know, if they dont agree with your reasoning and say they will settle then inform them if they wish to exercise the right which they have under the T&C's then do so on a without prejudice basis, that way u can harass your ulr provider to see sense.
Also on a side note most MLP cover is provided by either accident management companies or solicitors who have a huge interest in personal injury claims. Alot of them now provider insurance registration services and claims management for insurance companies ie M&S, Post Office, AA Insurance etc and these only have an interest in the injury. So when you buy a policy ask who is the provider, you can always add MLP a few days after the policy starts. Its best to google is a solicitors firm who is interested in accidents or a proper law firm.
Thats my 2 cents as a Claims Handler who dealt with these idiots!
lukeo44 to suley9
14 Jan 16#21
It is indeed:
7 Ploughmans Lane
York
North Yorkshire
YO32 2WR
United Kingdom
Hardly inspires me with confidence :laughing:
djvrs
14 Jan 162#22
I guess you get what you pay for, and as you've paid nothing, you get nothing.....
I'm with Unite and am using my legal cover at the moment to take my ex employer to an employment tribunal. You have to use the solicitor firm chosen by Unite.
Badgerzz
14 Jan 16#25
Yes, it really isn't set up by a firm with a panel of solicitors that they push the work out to for a cut is it. This freebie is no more than an advert. There are plenty of sites like this. OP must be very niave
Dryosh
17 Jan 16#29
But that's what insurance is, it's what happens in every single accident.
brianp9
17 Jan 16#30
Unison for me - Thompson solicitors - used them twice - once to reclaim excess after a non-fault RTC and once for another legal issue - sorted both out successfully
Her_Indoors
19 Jan 16#31
So 25 years of pain and suffering with a broken bones in my spine and shoulder carries the same claims valuation as 3 years of mild whiplash?
There are X-rays, MRI scans and testimony from Consultants as evidence - plus of course records of Prescriptions, blood tests, Physio and Chiropractors etc.
As I say, I have learned a very painful lesson, the only person who care about ME is ..... ME, not the legal team protecting the insurance companies.
I didn't check at the time, but I wonder if the Insurance Company of the 'guilty' driver ..... was in effect the same as mine?
You know how they may have different 'front' names, but all part of the same Insurance giants.
Which would explain why MY legal team were keen to keep the costs down for the Insurers of the guilty party.
That would be something I would certainly take an interest in if I was ever in that unfortunate position again.
suley9
21 Jan 16#32
Sorry to hear about your injuries, I thought I should add, Solicitors, Insurance Companies etc and even you are bound by law to mitigate your losses, equally you have people who are unreasonable in costs ie they drive a focus but want to claim for a BMW as a hire car, or have had a minor injury ie wiplash and exaggerate the effects for a better settlement which makes genuine cases harder to asses.
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
You can happily decline the (typical) £30 for free legal assistance offered to you when you take out motor insurance. You weren't ever buying what you thought you were buying. Your insurer takes your £30 and also takes a commission from a lawyer for introducing you. The lawyer gets his fees from the insurance companies involved, whichever party is at fault.
What is Motor Legal Protection?
Motor Legal Protection, also called Legal Expenses Insurance, is usually sold as an "add on" to your main motor insurance policy. It is a separate insurance policy that covers your legal fees if you need to pursue somebody for losses and expenses after an accident that was not your fault. Some policies also provide assistance if you are prosecuted for an offence.
Usually the cost of these policies is in the region of £25-£30 per year, per car/van/bike that you have insured. So if you have several vehicles in your household, the odds are if you have bought motor legal protection, you have purchased it several times over each year!
What is Free Motor Legal?
Free Motor Legal is a free to join membership organisation that provide an accident management and ULR service, but without the need to actually take out a legal expenses insurance policy. This saves you money each year on your vehicle insurance needs and also does not restrict you with how many vehicles you own. You only need to join once and then forget about being charged by your insurer or broker for legal cover ever again! You can change your motor insurer each year, but you only need to register with Free Motor Legal once.
How do I join?
Just register your details to receive your membership pack which gives you all the support and assistance you need if you are involved in a collision that was not your fault, or where blame is disputed.
Remember, there are no fees to join and there is no need to renew your membership each year, so you need never get charged for a motor legal protection policy by your insurer or broker ever again. We are Free Motor Legal, put simply, the way it should be.
see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/cars/article-3365639/Save-30-year-car-insurance-New-website-offers-free-legal-service.html
Top comments
Seriously people, it's £25/30 and well worth it if the worst comes to happen.
A quick google on the registered address shows at a residential home.
Secondly this is simply a Ambulance Chasing Service! Like all others they are only interested in your passengers and if its not your fault then you and your car.
For reference a ULR policy provides funds to cover any legal expenses ie solicitors costs and if you go to court then the costs of that, any assessments etc. The solicitors costs pay for the person to claim for your uninsuired losses ie excess, that laptop that some how broke etc yes you can do some of it yourself but the ulr fund pays for it.
Insurance companies have the right to make a decision on a case, if you dont agree, let them know, if they dont agree with your reasoning and say they will settle then inform them if they wish to exercise the right which they have under the T&C's then do so on a without prejudice basis, that way u can harass your ulr provider to see sense.
Also on a side note most MLP cover is provided by either accident management companies or solicitors who have a huge interest in personal injury claims. Alot of them now provider insurance registration services and claims management for insurance companies ie M&S, Post Office, AA Insurance etc and these only have an interest in the injury. So when you buy a policy ask who is the provider, you can always add MLP a few days after the policy starts. Its best to google is a solicitors firm who is interested in accidents or a proper law firm.
Thats my 2 cents as a Claims Handler who dealt with these idiots!
All comments (32)
Seriously people, it's £25/30 and well worth it if the worst comes to happen.
Three years of trying to get it sorted, and the solicitors told me I had to accept the miserly figure offered by the other sides insurers..... or else they would tell MY insurers they would not continue to support me, and my legal cover would be withdrawn.
They threatened that if I took my case to a judge and the judge decided the other sides offer was reasonable - I would have to pay ALL the legal fees of both sides (3 years worth) - hence I could end up with a bill for tens of thousands..... or more.
So I had to give in and settle for 3 years worth of whiplash 'discomfort' - despite the fact I had actually broken bones in my spine and shoulder during the crash......and I am still in pain and on medication over 20 years later.
I have had to pay for a private Physio, private Chiropractor, Orthopaedic Mattress and pillows etc......as well as 20 years of prescription medication.
I still take out the legal cover - but I would certainly have a different attitude to my insurers and THEIR legal team if I ever have need of them again.
From my experience the Solicitors are there to represent THEIR clients - the insurance company, and NOT the Insured driver.
These no fee ones are great provided your a care full driver as they claim all their expenses of the other parties insurers when they are at fault for accident
Thank you for sharing!
A quick google on the registered address shows at a residential home.
Secondly this is simply a Ambulance Chasing Service! Like all others they are only interested in your passengers and if its not your fault then you and your car.
For reference a ULR policy provides funds to cover any legal expenses ie solicitors costs and if you go to court then the costs of that, any assessments etc. The solicitors costs pay for the person to claim for your uninsuired losses ie excess, that laptop that some how broke etc yes you can do some of it yourself but the ulr fund pays for it.
Insurance companies have the right to make a decision on a case, if you dont agree, let them know, if they dont agree with your reasoning and say they will settle then inform them if they wish to exercise the right which they have under the T&C's then do so on a without prejudice basis, that way u can harass your ulr provider to see sense.
Also on a side note most MLP cover is provided by either accident management companies or solicitors who have a huge interest in personal injury claims. Alot of them now provider insurance registration services and claims management for insurance companies ie M&S, Post Office, AA Insurance etc and these only have an interest in the injury. So when you buy a policy ask who is the provider, you can always add MLP a few days after the policy starts. Its best to google is a solicitors firm who is interested in accidents or a proper law firm.
Thats my 2 cents as a Claims Handler who dealt with these idiots!
7 Ploughmans Lane
York
North Yorkshire
YO32 2WR
United Kingdom
Hardly inspires me with confidence :laughing:
There are X-rays, MRI scans and testimony from Consultants as evidence - plus of course records of Prescriptions, blood tests, Physio and Chiropractors etc.
As I say, I have learned a very painful lesson, the only person who care about ME is ..... ME, not the legal team protecting the insurance companies.
I didn't check at the time, but I wonder if the Insurance Company of the 'guilty' driver ..... was in effect the same as mine?
You know how they may have different 'front' names, but all part of the same Insurance giants.
Which would explain why MY legal team were keen to keep the costs down for the Insurers of the guilty party.
That would be something I would certainly take an interest in if I was ever in that unfortunate position again.