FAQs
Q. What do ‘legal costs’ include?
A. This will include costs such as the solicitors’ or barristers’ fees and charges for disbursements, not to mention the opponent’s costs should you lose and be liable to pay them.
Q. If I have a legal problem before my policy starts, will this still be covered?
A. Matters which you are aware of before the start of your policy are excluded.
Q. If my client has a claim; can they choose their own solicitor?
A. Initially, ALP will choose a specialist legal representative to pursue their claim. However, if legal proceedings are necessary, they may nominate
another legal representative, subject to our agreement.
Q. Do you cover neighbour disputes?
A. Cover is provided for Mediation as advised by the Lord Chancellor. It allows a person to talk to the other side in a dispute without going to court. Disputes could arise over a boundary, noise or access to your clients home.
Q. I can get a cheaper legal protection policy, so why should I use ALP?
A. Price should only be an issue when you are comparing identical products.
If you choose a cheaper priced model, and it is incapable of doing what it purports to do, you could lose more than your clients. In December, 2005,
ALP was voted Legal Expenses Provider of the Year for its policies, service
and solicitor claims handling.
Q. I have 10,000 household clients, with a Family LEI take up of 20% (2000 written units) and currently pay £1.90 per unit for Family LEI, which provides Employment, PI, Consumer and Property Disputes cover, can you match this?
A. In short, no. Take for example the increased trend for employment disputes for which the legal costs are in excess of £2000. With the above in mind it is extremely difficult to envisage any underwriter being able to write this class of business on a profitable basis.
You also need to be aware that for certain claims, like Employment and Consumer Contract Disputes where the claim is below £5k, which most Family LEI claims will be, costs are unrecoverable, meaning the underwriter will always be liable for the claimant’s own solicitor costs.
Q. Does the Clinical Disputes section cover disputes concerning cosmetic surgery?
A. Yes it does.
Q. With regards the Emergency help at home section are the contractors we
use vetted for quality and cost control?
A. Yes.
Q. Who provides the Counselling Service?
A. Care First - part of General Health Care Group.
Q. Under the Medical Consultation service - who is the policyholder ringing?
A. Mondial Assistance (UK) Ltd.
Q. How many clients would I need to have to set up a Family legal protection scheme with ALP?
A. This would depend on a number of factors. It would be best to telephone
the Business Development department, directly, on 01454 455816, to arrange for a Business Developer to contact you.
Q. Are there any excesses to pay before a client’s claim is dealt with?
A. There are no excesses on our standard Protect offering however bespoke policies may differ depending on individual requirements.
Q. Can I offer an Allianz legal protection policy, when an Insurer includes it within their own policy?
A. If the policy includes a mandatory legal protection section, it would not be ‘treating the customer fairly’ to sell another legal protection, in addition.
If the cover was sold optionally, you, the intermediary, would have a choice based on the demands and needs of that client, as to whether you offered an ALP policy.