Legal fees to settle personal injury claims after motor accidents are costing UK consumers a total of £2.4 million a day, the insurance industry has said.
This legal fee bill is the equivalent of £1,666 added to motor insurance premiums every minute, said the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
It added that legal costs often exceeded compensation payments.
The ABI said that one insurer’s average claimant legal costs in 2010 represented 142% of the sums received by injured victims.
A recently reported compensation claim for a work-related injury for £12,750 settled out of court attracted legal costs of £74,000, it said.
A legal bill of £37,250 was run up in settling a claim for £15,000 in respect of injuries sustained by a woman who fell into the moat at a castle, the ABI added.
Between 2004 and 2011 there has been a 5% rise in NHS legal costs, but a 130% increase in claimant legal costs. In the financial year 2010/11 the NHS paid out £257 million in lawyers’ fees following claims, it said.
Kevin Harvick: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - Daytona Preview
22.05.12
· Statistically Speaking… Harvick has 21 prior starts at DIS, including 10 in the Daytona 500. In that time, he’s scored two wins, including the 2007 Daytona 500, and accumulated five top-five and nine top-10 finishes at the superspeedway. Harvick has led 178 laps at DIS and holds an average starting position of 16.1 and an average finish of 15.4. He has also completed 93 percent of the laps run in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition at DIS since July 2001 (3,407 of 3,663).
· Loop Data… Harvick holds several impressive Loop Data statistics at DIS, including: second in fastest laps run (67 laps); sixth in green-flag passes (2,732); eighth in closers; eighth in laps led (100); and 10th in driver rating (86.3).
· Last Year… In last year’s Daytona 500, Harvick started the race from the seventh position and led five laps before retiring from the race due to engine failure at lap 22.
Car Insurance policies vary in how much cover they provide and the price you pay for them. This short video is full of top tips and things to look ...
What is the definition of basic legal cover for car insurance?
May 23, 2008 by Johndude | Posted in Insurance & Registration
Like if my car insurance company tells me that when driving other peoples cars, I have basic legal cover
Is this any different than third party cover? Like say I'm driving someone elses car how much am I covered
With my insurance it doesnt need to be an emergency for me to be covered driving someone elses car, just wondering how much I'm covered
Because I was told that that level of cover is less than third party cover
Thanks
I'm slightly confused. When I drive your car, I'm covered by your insurance right? Basic legal coverage is the minimum in that state, Right?
lar | May 23, 2008
Basic legal cover is third party only and possibly with any excess you may have on your insurance.
nosdda | May 23, 2008
You used to be able to get what was known as "Act-only" cover, which did the bare minimum to satisfy the requirements of the law. There was no help, no advice, no claims handling etc.
As far as I'm aware no insurer offers this cover nowadays. The minimum available is third-party cover, which does the necessary with regard to your liabilities in respect of third parties, plus the ability to pass any claim straight off to them to be sorted.
You need to check with your insurers for clarity, plus be very careful to read all the fine print closely. Not unnaturally, insurers will avoid any liability if they possibly can.
Bardic | May 23, 2008
legal expenses cover car insurance?
Apr 01, 2010 by mortgage4u | Posted in Insurance & Registration
What exactly does this part of a car insurance do? (Legal expenses cover)
autoinsurance.maclenet.com - try this one. I have their car insurance and, as I know, they can provide such a service.
Nick | Apr 02, 2010
Getting new car insurance is a quite simple way to save or lower overall expenses. You can get a fast quote online they always give you competing prices.
I know people who have used and recommend http://www.LowRateToday.com
Ty O | Apr 01, 2010
Legal expenses cover is an additional insurance policy which you pay for and use if you have a car accident and you or your passengers are injured. It is also used when the third party refuses or are disclaiming your claim.
Worth it if you can afford it but I have found recently that the prices are quite high and I have taken the risk to not buying it until the prices come down.
KD
ihaveasexyhusband | Apr 01, 2010
Have a quick look at http://www.whatprice.co.uk/advice/car-le gal-expense-cover.html
It covers the question well.
oklatom | Apr 01, 2010
Shareholders xmas party.
Jon | Apr 02, 2010
in car insurance what do legal expenses cover?
Jan 06, 2010 by bbb321 | Posted in Insurance & Registration
i'm getting quotes for car insurance and one of the add ons is £26.90 for legal expenses - do i need this, what does it cover?
If you have an accident and don't know ow to fight for yer rights.... if you pay that £26.90 they will fight for yer rights.
j wale | Jan 07, 2010
It is for if you need a lawyer. the expenses cover the cost.
taxed till i die,and then some. | Jan 06, 2010
Not just for a solicitor. Could be for any expenses incurred as a result of having to take legal action against someone after a crash. Could be just to reclaim your non-insured losses like you excess and property damage. Could be for medical assessments in the event of injury for example.
There is usually a limit to the amount you can reclaim for this typically £20000 or more - full details should be available somewhere in the application process and in your policy documents
Timbo is here | Jan 07, 2010
It is to help you get money for any claim you might have due to accidents where you are not at fault.
denis b | Jan 10, 2010
Is it worth adding legal cover to your car insurance?
Dec 26, 2007 by Dan ಠ_ಠ | Posted in Insurance & Registration
Especially when there are claim handling companies who will take over your claim in the event of a no fault accident. Legal cover will cot be an extra £25 a year.
Here is a trade secret. The actual cost of legal expenses insurance to the broker is.... wait for it ....... about £1.00 (One Pound) - because they usually have several thousand policyholders in the scheme.
The reason for the high mark-up is that many motor insurance policies provide little in the way of earnings for the broker - typically 7.5% to 15% (compare that to the 'mark-up' by retailers) from which the broker has to pay staff, bills, comply with the rules and regulations of the FSA, market their products etc etc etc -it is no wonder that they look at legal expenses as a source of extra income - and before you complain just remember that if the source of income did not exist then the broker would have to increase the prices of the basic product. If you do usea broker then you will get expert advice on the selection of your insurance policy and help if you have any insurance enquiries - you are paying (a bit) for access to professional services - well worth it when you need it.
So is legal cover worthwhile? If you do have a claim then you have immediate access to a company to work for you - you don't need to take time to shop around nor do you risk ending up with a 'rogue' company - mind you all providers have to be licenced these days. This help will probably start off with a better hire-car for instance. Some of these companies also operate 'claims management' services so that help is provided even if the claim is your fault or it is a fire/ theft claim. Also you do not need to worry about any costs or payments you must make should a claim be settled in your favour 'no-win, no-fee' implies that, should you win there will be a fee.
welcome news | Dec 26, 2007
Do I need Legal Cover when taking out Comprehensive car insurance??
Nov 15, 2007 by kinky_boots68 | Posted in Insurance & Registration
Do I need Legal Cover when taking out Comprehensive car insurance??
I would talk with your insurance agent because Comprehensive Insurance covers "SEE BELOW".
Pays for losses to your covered auto (up to its actual cash value) which are not caused by collision. This includes damage caused by fire, theft, glass breakage, riot, windstorm and hail. The amount of your deductible will be subtracted from any settlement.
Example: Vandals break your windshield and spray paint on you car. Comprehensive coverage will pay to restore your vehicle to the condition it was in prior to the incident. You pay only the deductible amount
