Legal cover (also called Motor Legal Protection) helps pay your legal costs if you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. It’s an optional add-on to your car insurance policy, and although it isn’t required by law, it can protect you from expensive bills later on.
If you’re new to the UK, the legal system around driving claims can feel complicated. This guide breaks down what legal cover includes, how it works, and whether it’s worth adding to your policy.
What is legal cover in car insurance?
Legal cover helps pay for legal advice and representation after a road accident that wasn’t your fault.
It can cover the cost of taking legal action to recover losses that your car insurance doesn’t pay for, such as:
- Loss of earnings
- Personal injury compensation
- Travel expenses
- Damage to belongings
- A replacement vehicle while yours is repaired (if eligible)
Without legal cover, you’d have to pay these legal costs yourself, which can be expensive.
What does legal cover include?
Most legal cover policies include: A set limit for legal fees: Often between £50,000–£100,000, depending on the insurer.
- Legal team to represent you: You’ll get access to a solicitor who will handle your claim for uninsured losses.
- Help recovering out-of-pocket expenses: This includes things like taxi fares, replacement car hire costs, or lost income if you couldn’t work.
- Personal injury claims: If you or your passengers were injured and it wasn’t your fault, legal cover can help pursue compensation.
- Support for legal disputes after an accident: For example, if there’s a disagreement about who was at fault.
What doesn’t legal cover include?
Legal cover won’t usually help with:
- Claims when you were at fault
- Fines or penalties
- Disputes not related to the accident
- Legal problems about buying or selling your car
- Claims with little chance of success
Some insurers also won’t take on a claim if the expected compensation is lower than the legal costs.
How does legal cover work after an accident?
If you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, here’s what typically happens:
- You report the accident to your insurer
- You tell them you want to use your legal cover
- A solicitor is appointed to review your case
- If they believe you can win, they’ll start a claim to recover your losses
- Your costs are covered up to your policy’s legal-expense limit
This all happens separately from your main insurance claim.
Do I need motor legal protection in the UK?
Legal cover isn’t required by UK law, but it can be valuable — especially if you:
- Rely on your car for work
- Don’t want to risk paying thousands in legal fees
- Want support navigating the UK legal system
- Want help recovering losses after a non-fault accident Many drivers choose it for peace of mind, as legal disputes can be complex and expensive.
How much does legal cover cost?
Legal cover is usually inexpensive. Often £20 to £35 per year as an optional add-on. For most people, this is much cheaper than paying for a solicitor privately.
Is legal cover included with Marshmallow policies?
Motor Legal Protection is included on the Marshmallow Plus plan. If you choose a different plan, you can add it to your policy after you get your quote. Find out more about our car insurance plans.
If you already have a policy, check your documents to see if it is included.
Ready to get covered?
If you’re unsure whether legal cover is right for you, taking a moment to compare your options can make things much easier.
At Marshmallow, we offer simple, affordable car insurance for people moving to the UK — with optional add-ons to give you extra peace of mind. You can get a free, no-obligation quote in minutes to see what your cover could look like.
