It is often when we need the services of a lawyer that we think it would be nice to have insurance that could cover the costs.

Often our clients tell us that they have insurance to realize that in the end it is only a service to receive legal advice.

So you have to be careful, legal insurance is not the same as legal assistance. What’s the difference?

Legal assistance is, for most insurance companies, a possibility that you are offered to seek legal advice. A free call to a company legal advisor.

Most of the time this service is offered free of charge with your home or car insurance premium.

While legal insurance is insurance that covers part of the lawyers’ fees and other legal costs when you have a dispute, such as when you sue someone or an organization.

Legal insurance often covers costs ranging from $5,000 to $7,000. There are even some that cover the costs for a small claims lawsuit over $3,000.

These insurances can also cover the costs when you challenge the decisions of a public body such as the SAAQ, CSST, IVAC, RRQ.

This insurance can often cover other costs than those of your lawyer, such as, for example, the cost of a medical expertise or a damage expertise on your home. These costs are often more than $1,000!

However, this protection is not free, but often not very expensive (about $ 4 to $ 10 per month) when you compare the fees it saves you in lawyer’s fees and others.

It is often necessary, as for a car or home insurance, to “shop” for insurance, because the coverages and premiums are not always the same.

Most of the most popular insurance companies offer legal insurance. The Barreau du Québec also offers legal insurance at about $4 per month.

Be proactive and check if you have legal insurance and not just legal assistance, it will save you a lot of stress when you really need it!

Me Lucrezia Plutino
LP AVOCATE
INFORMING ON HUMAN RIGHTS