What is Legal Cover on Car Insurance?
When you’re sorting out a new car insurance policy, you might come across something called ‘legal cover’ or ‘motor legal protection’. It’s usually offered as an optional extra with most policies, but what does it actually mean, and do you really need it? In simple terms, legal cover on car insurance helps you recover uninsured losses if you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. That includes things such as loss of earnings, excess payments, or the cost of a hire car while yours is being repaired.
Key points
- Legal cover will try to recover your uninsured costs after non-fault accidents, personal injury compensation and give access to motoring legal advice.
- Some policies may include legal cover for motoring offences, though it’s not standard.
- Legal cover is optional in the UK and can often be added partway through a policy.
- Making a legal expenses cover claim won’t affect your no-claims discount as it’s separate from your main policy.
Is Legal Cover Worth It?
Legal cover is often fairly cheap. Depending on the insurer, motor legal cover ranges between £15 and £30 per year. But whether it’s worth it depends on your situation. If you’re involved in a non-fault accident and need to recover costs, it could save you a lot of money and stress. However, if you already have legal protection through another policy (like home insurance or breakdown cover), you might not need it twice.
It’s also worth knowing that you can sometimes recover costs without legal cover, but it might be harder and more time-consuming.
What Does Legal Cover Include?
While policies vary slightly between insurers, most legal cover includes:
- Legal costs to help you claim back money you’re owed after a non-fault accident
- Access to a legal helpline for advice on motoring-related issues
- Support with personal injury claims if you or your passengers are injured
- Recovery of policy excess and other expenses not covered by your main policy
Is legal cover required by law?
No, legal cover is completely optional. The only legal requirement is third-party car insurance.
Can I add legal cover later?
Yes, some insurers allow you to add it on mid-policy, but it’s usually easiest (and cheapest) to include it when you first buy or renew your insurance.
Does legal cover affect my no-claims bonus?
No. Making a claim under legal cover won’t affect your no-claims discount as it’s separate from your main insurance policy.
In Summary
- Legal cover helps you claim back uninsured losses after a non-fault accident
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It usually includes legal costs, helplines, injury support, and help recovering your excess
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It’s optional and relatively inexpensive, but not always essential
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Check if you’re already covered through another policy
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Thinking of updating your policy? Compare car insurance quotes and see if legal cover is worth including
Compare car insurance quotes and find the best options with legal cover
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