Legal Expenses Insurance for Town and Parish Councils
02/01/2024
Typically, legal expenses insurance could provide cover for unforeseen legal costs (including legal representation) relating to property, employment, or a personal injury claim.
However, should a more serious legal problem occur, it could provide cover for legal representation and expenses in the event of a claim.
Why we offer legal expenses insurance to councils?
Sometimes in Public Sector organisations, such as councils, unforeseen circumstances can arise, leading to problematic situations. As a government-funded organisation, you may discover that you lack the necessary expertise to address these challenges internally, or the financial resources to engage a lawyer to handle it on your behalf. These could be issues with employees, suppliers, customers, your premises, or your tax accounts.
In these instances, legal expenses insurance could become an invaluable ally for your council, offering legal representation and support to tackle common problems effectively – including if your case goes to court.
What is included in this cover?
- Employment disputes & compensation awards with current, prospective or ex-employees
- Legal defence
- Tax protection
- Property protection and bodily injury
- Statutory licence protection
- Debt recovery and contract disputes relating to the purchase, hire, sale or provision of goods & services (optional extra)
Our policies also have the option to cover Debt Recovery and Contract Disputes relating to the purchase, hire, sale or provision of goods and services. It’s important to check your policy schedule to see if these covers are included as part of your cover. For our Town and Parish council customers, these covers are available at an additional cost.
What is not included in this cover?
Zurich legal expenses insurance will not cover:
- Issues that started before you bought the policy
- Legal costs you pay out before your claim is accepted
- We won't cover claims with a lower than 51% chance of success, except for employment disputes (covered by Employment Practices Liability - EPL). We assess prospects for all claims to manage them effectively.
- Anything specifically excluded; the relevant policy documentation will set out what is and what is not covered.
Zurich Legal Expenses Insurance for Councils
Legal Expenses Cover is available for town, community, or parish councils as part of our online package or as an addition to our bespoke policies.
Our legal expenses cover is provided by ARAG, a trusted provider in the insurance industry. By offering this cover, we aim to help Town and Parish Councils mitigate the cost associated with legal issues, protecting their financial security and peace of mind.
Policy extras
Our policy also provides access to online legal documents and guides, as well as a wide range of legal services and helplines that can be used as often as required, including:
- Legal Advice helpline – 0117 934 2116
- Tax Advice helpline – 0117 934 2116
- Counselling helpline – 0117 934 2121
- Business Assistance helpline – 0117 934 2116
Making a claim
If you are experiencing a legal issue, the first thing you should do is contact the ARAG Legal Advice Helpline either by calling 0117 934 2116 or by booking an appointment via www.araglaw.co.uk/business/legal-advice-helpline.
Please ensure you have your policy details to hand when contacting ARAG.
You will then be advised on whether your legal issue requires legal advice or if you need to make a claim. If you do need to make a claim, please call our claims team on 0117 934 2116 or visit www.araginsurance.co.uk/how-to-make-a-claim.
Please note: It is important you call ARAG to discuss a potential claim before incurring any costs with another solicitor. Any costs incurred before the acceptance of a claim are not covered.
