Motor Legal Protection Guide

What Is Legal Expenses Cover?

When you’re involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to worry about is paying expensive legal bills. Legal expenses cover, or motor legal protection is an optional extra you can add to your car insurance that helps cover legal costs if you need to make or defend a claim after an accident.

At 1st Central, we make insurance simple. Our Legal Expenses Cover is designed to give you peace of mind and financial protection when the unexpected happens.

Key points:

• Motor legal protection is an optional extra, not included as standard.
• It helps cover legal costs after non-fault accidents.
• It can pay for things your main policy doesn’t, like excesses, lost earnings, or personal injury claims.
• It only applies when there’s a good chance of success (usually over 50%).

What Does Motor Legal Protection Cover?

Legal expenses Cover (also called motor legal protection) helps with the legal costs linked to non-fault accidents. It goes beyond standard car insurance by covering things your policy doesn’t.

Here’s what it can include:

• Personal injury claims – cover for the legal costs of claiming compensation for you or your passengers if injured in a non-fault accident (including medical expenses and lost earnings).
• Vehicle damage claims – help to recover repair costs or the value of your car if it’s written off, where the accident wasn’t your fault.
• Uninsured losses – costs not covered by your main policy, like your excess, loss of earnings, travel costs, or damaged personal belongings.
• Medical expenses – cover for medical costs if you or your passengers are hurt in a non-fault accident.
• Travel expenses – such as hire car costs or taxis while your vehicle is off the road.
• Access to legal advice – some policies include a 24/7 helpline for motoring and wider legal issues.

Key points to remember:

• Cover usually applies to non-fault accidents only.
• Claims need a reasonable chance of success (often 50%+).
• There are usually limits on the cover amount, typically up to £100,000.
• You can buy it as an add-on to your car insurance.

For more detail, visit our Legal Expenses Cover page.

Do I Need Motor Legal Protection?

Ask yourself: Could you afford legal fees if you had to claim compensation after an accident?

Motor legal protection is most useful if:

• You’re involved in a non-fault accident and want to recover your costs.
• You’re hit by an uninsured driver.
• You want to claim back your excess or other out-of-pocket expenses.

You may need it less if you already have separate legal expenses cover through your home insurance or a union membership. Always check what’s included elsewhere before you decide.

Is Motor Legal Protection Worth It?

For an additional premium, motor legal protection can save you money in the long run. For example:

• If you’re injured and need to claim compensation, solicitor fees alone can be particularly expensive.
• If you lose income after an accident, legal protection can help recover those costs.

Beyond the financial side, it also provides peace of mind.

How to Add Legal Cover to Your Policy with 1st Central

It’s easy to add motor legal protection when you take out a policy, renew, or even partway through your current policy (mid-term). Simply select one of our products which include Legal Cover as standard (look for the ‘+ legal in the product name’) during your quote, or contact the 1st Central Team,  and for an extra cost you’ll have the support you need if the worst happens.

Conclusion: Is It Right for You?

Motor legal protection is straightforward and can provide vital support when you need it most. It helps cover the costs your standard car insurance doesn’t and gives you confidence that you won’t be left to handle legal expenses alone.

Get a quote today and see how 1st Central can help you find affordable, reliable cover that suits your driving needs.

Or, compare our products to find the best fit for your needs.

FAQs

Can I claim on legal expenses insurance if the accident is my fault?
No. Motor legal protection usually only applies if the accident was not your fault and there’s a reasonable chance of winning the case.

Does motor legal protection cover you for uninsured drivers?
Yes. If you’re hit by an uninsured or untraceable driver, legal expenses cover can help you recover costs not paid by your main policy.

Can legal expenses cover non-motor related claims?
No. This type of cover is specific to motor incidents. For other disputes, you would need a separate legal expenses policy.

Is motor legal protection the same as legal expenses?
Yes. The terms are often used interchangeably in car insurance. At 1st Central, we call it Legal Expenses Cover.