car accident advice

[claretandblue]

had a recent car accident, suffered whiplash, anyway i need to know if being a member of our union are we covered for legal expences ? Solicitors need to know if i have cover.

cheers.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cwu.org/51072/legal-services.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CWU provides a range of legal services and benefits that are available to all members via the legal services department in partnership with our approved panel solicitors.

We specialise in providing advice and representation in personal injury compensation claims and employment tribunal applications. Members can use the services confident in the knowledge that we have the necessary expertise to ensure the best possible result when processing such claims. This is a totally free service.

We provide assistance and advice in the following areas:

Personal Injury Claims
Personal Accident Benefit Scheme
Bandit Attack Scheme
Ill-Health Retirement Appeals
Drivers' Protection Scheme
CWU Road Traffic Accident Helpline
CWU Legal Helpline
Criminal Defence Scheme
Employment Law
CWU Approved Panel Solicitors
Other Benefits

Should you require any of our services, you should contact your local branch representative, details of which can be found on your CWU membership card or on our CWU Regions and Branches webpage here.

We are continually looking at ways to improve and expand the range of services we provide which makes being a member of the CWU so beneficial and worthwhile.

For further information and advice, download this booklet: Legal Services A5 Booklet, or visit the legal services section of this website.


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So as far as I can tell you are not covered for using other solicitors but you can use the Unions instead Free of charge - check though - see link.

[banddy]

you have to phone YOUR OWN insurance company to inform them if YOU have a R.T.A
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Drivers' Protection Scheme

G. Drivers Protection Scheme Road Traffic Act Prosecution - LS1 Form

Under the terms of the above scheme the Union will provide advice and representation, where appropriate, on any prosecution for a Road Traffic offence whilst driving an official vehicle on duty. If a plea of guilty is advised then no representation at the Court hearing will be provided (although assistance can be given with mitigation either by telephone or correspondence).

If a not guilty plea is advised appropriate legal representation will be authorized by the Legal Department who will be responsible for any legal costs incurred but excluding any fines awarded.
The scheme does not cover the following:-
a. Speeding offences.
b. Driving under the influence of alcohol.
c. Drug related charges.
d. Infringement of seatbelts laws.
e. Infringement of mobile phone laws.
f. Parking tickets






The CWU operates a free phone legal helpline where members can obtain legal advice on non work related matters. The Legal Services helpline telephone number is 0800 804 6674. Or contact email cwulegalhelpline@simpsonmillar.co.uk

[claretandblue]

you have to phone YOUR OWN insurance company to inform them if YOU have a R.T.A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drivers' Protection Scheme

G. Drivers Protection Scheme Road Traffic Act Prosecution - LS1 Form

Under the terms of the above scheme the Union will provide advice and representation, where appropriate, on any prosecution for a Road Traffic offence whilst driving an official vehicle on duty. If a plea of guilty is advised then no representation at the Court hearing will be provided (although assistance can be given with mitigation either by telephone or correspondence).

If a not guilty plea is advised appropriate legal representation will be authorized by the Legal Department who will be responsible for any legal costs incurred but excluding any fines awarded.
The scheme does not cover the following:-
a. Speeding offences.
b. Driving under the influence of alcohol.
c. Drug related charges.
d. Infringement of seatbelts laws.
e. Infringement of mobile phone laws.
f. Parking tickets






The CWU operates a free phone legal helpline where members can obtain legal advice on non work related matters. The Legal Services helpline telephone number is 0800 804 6674. Or contact email cwulegalhelpline@simpsonmillar.co.uk

I have imformed my insurer of the accident, my insurers solicitors want to know if i have legal protection insurance with being in a union, i don't have this insurance on my car poicy

[BT2010]

have you got the CWU 2011 diary?

page 1, accidents.

if you or a dependant have an accident on or off duty, you are entitled to free legal advise and assistance (inc car accidents). ALSO, NO NEED TO PAY LEGAL COVER ON YOUR CAR INS, COVER IS FREE WITH CWU SUBS.

call your branch office or http://www.cwuaccidenthelpline.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[claretandblue]

thanks for the replies, my insurer uses irwin/mitchell which is on the list of approved insurers by cwu, il guess il have to ring the helpline to see if we get legal cover.

[POSTMAN]

I don't get this wtf is being in a union with legal cover got to do with your insurers?
Isn't that what we pay the insurers for?

[claretandblue]

I don't get this wtf is being in a union with legal cover got to do with your insurers?
Isn't that what we pay the insurers for?

The legal cover is an optional extra normally about £20 I don't have this, it covers legal expences i.e solicotors costs when making a personal injury claim. The solicitors want to know if i have this cover and it may be an added benefit of being in a union. Its for the worst case scenerio incase you lose ! Otherwise im looking at an insurance premium of £500 to cover against this as it is "after the event" insurance, only payable if i lose.

[BT2010]

I don't get this wtf is being in a union with legal cover got to do with your insurers?
Isn't that what we pay the insurers for?

its for the legal protection "add on" usually £12-£25 on you policy but it is optional.

the CWU tell you not to take it as they will do the legal work for you.

very good too, a lad in our DO a few years back took his car in for a small repair, the car was vandalised whilst in the paint shop and had loads of parts stolen.

his insurers had provided a courtesy car but demanded it back as there was an argument between insurers as to who paid for the extra damage.

he got CWU insurers on it, kept the hire car for months and got a brand new car as he instructed the legal team he didnt want the old one back as it was only a few months old and had suffered so much damage it could never be described as a new car.

good old dave and billy

[demon]

not if hes only got a cheap car insurence in stead of fully comp you dont get all the extras

[claretandblue]

not if hes only got a cheap car insurence in stead of fully comp you dont get all the extras

iam fully comp so not a cheap policy, like others have said we are covered through the union so its you thats wasting £20.

[POSTMAN]

Oh right i see,need to perhaps have a think at my next renewal.
Good info guys cheers.

[hantsman]

I don't get this wtf is being in a union with legal cover got to do with your insurers?
Isn't that what we pay the insurers for?

its for the legal protection "add on" usually £12-£25 on you policy but it is optional.

the CWU tell you not to take it as they will do the legal work for you.

very good too, a lad in our DO a few years back took his car in for a small repair, the car was vandalised whilst in the paint shop and had loads of parts stolen.

his insurers had provided a courtesy car but demanded it back as there was an argument between insurers as to who paid for the extra damage.

he got CWU insurers on it, kept the hire car for months and got a brand new car as he instructed the legal team he didnt want the old one back as it was only a few months old and had suffered so much damage it could never be described as a new car.

good old dave and billy

Don't believe he got a brand new car to be honest!

[BT2010]

the one that was vandalised was less than 6 months old, it was heavily stripped, and as he pointed out he wanted a new car not one that should be sold for salvage.

hence the £20 legal cover, its not just for personal injury.