Tips for finding the right legal protection insurance
The differences between the providers of legal protection insurance are great and not all providers are really recommendable. Different premiums, notice periods and service restrictions are the basis and should be taken into account when choosing. The following points are important when choosing the right legal protection insurance:
- premiums
The premiums are extremely different depending on the legal protection insurance. For an individual you have to calculate between 150 and 350 Swiss francs, and legal protection costs between 60 and 150 francs.
Usually traffic and private legal protection are combined in one package and cost up to CHF 500. Family insurance is often more expensive, but young policyholders can expect lower premiums.
- Personal legal protection
This includes various areas of law that can affect a private person. The providers, however, come up with large differences in performance. In addition, not all of them really cover every area of law. Here it should be determined what is individually important and the insurers should be carefully examined.
- Motorist
This only covers the areas of law relating to participation in road traffic. Driving under the influence of alcohol is not covered by the insurance.
- Advisory legal protection
Here, too, there are big differences between the providers. Legal advice is usually only included in the services to a limited extent and is capped at a maximum amount of CHF 500. Given the high cost of a lawyer, that's a tiny amount.
- Free choice of lawyer
Many legal protection insurances stipulate that the lawyer can only be hired through them. However, the insured can usually suggest a lawyer. The insurance company has the right to refuse this and can in turn make specifications. A completely free choice of lawyer is rarely possible.
- Coverage amounts
Legal protection insurances not only differentiate in terms of coverage, but also in benefit regions. Switzerland, Europe and the world are three different regions in which insurance benefits can take hold. There are differences in the coverage of legal protection insurance depending on the region. In some cases, up to a million francs are covered, but other insurers severely limit their cover. For an insured event in Europe, the amount of cover can even be limited to CHF 30,000.
- Minimum contract term
Often the insured should be given a multi-year contract. However, the minimum contract duration should not exceed one year, otherwise it is difficult to get out of the contract if you are dissatisfied. In most cases, the first possibility of termination is only available at the end of the minimum contract period. Even those who no longer need the contract are not likely to get out of it.
- Waiting periods
In the event of legal disputes, it is no longer possible to quickly take out legal protection insurance and hope for the benefits of the insurance. Usually a waiting period is required. The insurance then only pays the legal costs when the waiting period is over. Therefore, the following applies: No payment for existing disputes!
Conclusion: find the right legal protection insurance
Finding the right legal protection insurance can be a gamble. A comprehensive insurance comparison should take place before taking out the insurance so that it does not necessarily become one. Above all, fixed contract terms, premium amounts and benefits should be compared here. These differ greatly depending on the provider and can therefore be to the advantage or disadvantage of the insured.
