I have legal expense insurance so do I need my own Solicitor?

Many people have legal expense insurance attached to their motor insurance which can be used for road traffic claims or household contents insurance [often attached to their mortgage] which can be used for other accidents even those outside the home. This is good news for many people and enables them not to worry about legal fees. However, many of these legal expense insurers have Panels of solicitors who pay the legal expense insurer for these claims to be passed on to them. This generates extra income for the legal expense insurer. Usually the Panel solicitors are based far away from the place where the accident occurred and have no real understanding of the local environment which can be very important for example if the layout of the road is important in a road traffic accident. It also means that if you instruct a Panel solicitor it is unlikely that they will be based in your area and so you cannot visit the Panel Solicitor regularly at their office and much of the contact with the Panel Solicitor is via anonymous phone calls or letters.

Another problem is that the legal expense companies try to say that you cannot use any other Solicitor other than the Panel Solicitors, which is incorrect as you always have freedom of choice to instruct the lawyer of your choice.

If you or your family or friends have been unfortunate to have an accident, we would be happy to accept your instructions. We can visit you at home, hospital or office at a time and place convenient to you. Just give us a call on 01484 300192.

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