Many insurance companies offer a Legal Protection Policy to their motor insurance policy holders. Normally, these policies are not offered as stand alone products, but as optional or maanditory extras on the main motoring policy.

This additional cover will give the driver access to many of the insurance companies team of professionals and resources, under certain circumstances, even if the particular event that occured was not insured against.

Such resources and professionals may include all or some of the resources available to those with comprehensive insurance, such as assessors, garages, courtesy car and legal teams.

There are a number of conditions that normally need to apply for this to happen, the most important being that the insurance company feel that the chance that their client can successfully bring a claim against a third party.

Assuming the insurance company grant this facility, they will pursue the third party on your behalf. If they succeed in this persuit, they will pay their expenses from your compensation. If they fail to recoup the money, the insured is liable to repay all the insurance companies outlay. To effect this final eventuality, the insured will be asked to sign a credit agreement in advance of the repair.

The risk with these policies is quite low, as these poliies are activated in certain circumstances only. Also the compensation level tends to be low, as costs are recouped from the third party of teh driver. For these reasons, such policies can be purchased fro about £30 per annum.