Motor Legal Protection

Please note that the following information is only a guide and not a legal opinion - please call us on 0844 412 2127 if you are unsure about anything. Calls to our 0844 numbers cost 5p/min from a BT landline, set up fees may apply and network charges may vary. Calls from mobile phones may be considerably more.

1. What is Motor Legal Protection?
2. What are uninsured losses?
3. What should I do in the event of an incident?
4. Why would I need a hire car if I have a courtesy car?

What is Motor Legal Protection?

Even in the case where an accident is not your fault, no car insurance policy will cover all your losses. Motor Legal Protection can cover certain costs; which you may incur by seeking to recover your uninsured losses from the person who caused the accident.

As well as attempting to claim back your losses, we can also look to provide you with a hire car, subject to terms and conditions. The costs of this will also be recovered from the responsible party.

What are uninsured losses?

These losses can include your policy excess, loss of earnings, vehicle hire charges, personal injury damages (such as compensation for whiplash). Other losses include your vehicle repair costs (if third party cover), medical fees, compensation for the loss of use of your vehicle, damage to personal belongings, vehicle recovery, storage charges and out of pocket expenses. Our Motor Legal Protection policies cover up to £100,000 legal costs and expenses.

What should I do in the event of an incident?

These losses can include your policy excess, loss of earnings, vehicle hire charges, personal injury damages (such as compensation for whiplash). Other losses include your vehicle repair costs (if third party cover), medical fees, compensation for the loss of use of your vehicle, damage to personal belongings, vehicle recovery, storage charges and out of pocket expenses. Our Motor Legal Protection policies cover up to £100,000 legal costs and expenses.

Note that this cover is not included on a standard car insurance policy, it is only applicable if you have added Motor Legal Protection.

Why would I need a hire car if I have a courtesy car?

Although a garage can provide a courtesy car, these are not guaranteed and are subject to availability. Also courtesy cars tend to be very basic models. The hire company appointed through your Motor Legal Protection policy will look to provide a vehicle of similar class and size to your own. Note that hire cars will only be provided where the costs can be recovered from the third party at fault in the incident.

If the accident is not your fault, your Motor Legal Protection can instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf and attempt to claim compensation for your injuries, for example where a whiplash injury is caused by a rear end shunt. Even if you are the driver at fault, your passengers are covered under the Motor Legal Protection policy if they are injured.