This optional cover is available for an additional premium and can be added to your policy at any time.
If you have a road traffic accident involving your car where you're not to blame, you have a right to claim from the person responsible for the accident.
Our motor legal protection cover will provide up to £100,000 of legal costs to help you to claim, where no other insurance policy will cover your losses, as long as there is a better than 50% chance that your claim will succeed.
What does Motor Legal Protection give you that car insurance doesn't?
Motor Legal Protection is there for you to help you recover losses you are not covered for by other insurance cover you may have.
| Motor Legal Protection could help you claim for | Examples of claims | |
| Injury to you or a passenger | If you or your passenger are injured in an accident, Motor Legal Protection could help you claim compensation for those injuries. | |
| Loss of earnings | If you're injured in an accident that isn't your fault and are unable to work, Motor Legal Protection could help you recover loss of earnings. | |
| Medical expenses | If you're injured in an accident and need treatment, Motor Legal Protection could help you recover the medical costs. | |
| Loss of possessions | If your personal possessions are damaged as a result of an accident, Motor Legal Protection could help you claim back the cost of these items, if they're not covered elsewhere. | |
| Damage to your car (Third Party Fire and Theft Only) | If you do not have comprehensive insurance cover and your car is damaged by no fault of your own, Motor Legal Protection can help you recover repair costs. | |
Who is covered by the policy?
This cover provides protection for you, drivers named on your insurance and for any passengers.
How does it work?
If we accept your claim, a solicitor will be appointed to act for you who will handle all aspects of your claim such as:
- Evaluating what you can claim for and the chance that your claim will succeed.
- Locating specialists such as a medical expert or counsel. The specialist charges will be met by this Motor Legal Protection policy.
- Negotiating with the person responsible and their insurers
- Commencing legal proceedings if necessary.
The appointed solicitor is regulated by the Law Society which, in addition to the high standards of service you would expect from Direct Line, ensures that you receive a professional legal service.
All in all providing you with peace of mind and a hassle free solution when you need it most.
Please see policy wording for full terms and conditions.
Motor Legal Protection claims
Reporting your Motor Legal Protection claim
You'll need to tell us of your Motor Legal Protection claim when you report your accident to our motor claims department. Your details will then be passed to our specialist Motor Legal claims department who will get your claim moving as quickly as possible.
What happens next?
The Motor Legal claims department will review the details of your accident and check you have a valid claim under Motor Legal Protection cover. If you have a valid claim, we will confirm that your policy will cover legal costs charged by a solicitor, as long as you follow the solicitor’s advice and there is more than a 50% chance your claim will succeed. A solicitor will then be instructed to act on your behalf to pursue recovery of your losses from the driver responsible. We will cover all the legal costs of this claim in accordance with the policy terms and conditions.
Finalising your claim
Most cases are resolved through negotiation, but a minority go to Court. How quickly the claim is settled will depend on the circumstances of the accident, whether the other driver accepts responsibility for the accident and the extent of the injuries or losses being claimed for.