BEFORE-THE-EVENT - LEGAL EXPENSES INSURANCE
What is it?
A before-the-event legal expenses insurance policy (B-t-E) is taken out to insure against certain unforeseen legal and related expenses that might be incurred or potentially become an issue at some point in the future. A B-t-E policy normally runs for twelve months.
Cover is normally only in respect of incidents or contingencies (“claims”) that arise during the policy period, although some policies will cover claims arising during the policy period in respect of incidents that took place a long time ago (in other words before the policy was incepted).
What types of Policies are there?
The most common form of B-t-E policy is the motor uninsured loss recovery policies (“ULR”) taken out by, or “given to”, motorists to sit side-by-side their motor insurance policies. Cheap and cheerful add-ons to Household policies (known as “B-t-E add-ons”) are also becoming more commonplace, although the cover provided is often disappointingly limited.
As time goes by, more individuals, and certainly more and more small to medium-sized businesses are buying comprehensive legal expenses insurance via separate, stand alone (or as a section of combined) annual policies to cover a wide range of personal or commercial disputes, such as employment related, contract related, criminal prosecution related and/or taxation related legal disputes.
How can ULP help?
ULP arranges a wide range of B-t-E Facilities for Insurance Brokers, Solicitors, Trade Associations, Consumer Bodies, Taxation Specialists and Risk Management Companies (“Clients”).
The covers negotiated on behalf of Clients are bespoke to those Clients’ “needs and demands”.
ULP does not typically arrange individual policies for either personal or small commercial clients, although we will consider broking individual risks where the premiums are likely to be substantial, for example intellectual property insurance.
Could ULP make a difference?
If your needs fall outside the norm, for example if you are a trade association or if you represent a population of individuals or businesses who need specific covers that fall outside what is typically available, then ULP could try and find an Insurer for you who is prepared to bend their mind to providing what you want rather than what they normally provide cover against.
Helpful advice and assistance
If you would like someone from ULP to contact you to discuss ATE insurance or B-t-E in more depth, please contact us.
