How to help ensure a claim goes smoothly

Send us your insurance schedule

DAS UK does not automatically receive full customer data for all NFUM customers, so it will help us confirm cover faster if you can include a copy of your insurance schedule that covers the period in which the event or dispute occurred.

Be organised

Write down key dates and events, keep copies of paperwork, take photos of evidence, and obtain contact details for potential witnesses and permission to speak to them.

If you can give a very clear account of what has happened it helps us to assess whether the incident would be covered as quickly as possible. And keeping a strong trail of evidence maximises the chances that you can win your case.

Talk to a lawyer before fixing the problem

Avoid rectifying the problem – if you can – until you have discussed the potential consequences with a lawyer. This often happens with claims that relate to land and property (common with farm customers), where we often receive claims after the customer has already repaired an issue or disposed of damaged property.

This can create a situation where, whilst there might well be cover, any losses become impossible to prove in court. To win in court you have to be able to prove a case before a judge.

Act quickly

Legal expenses insurance claims are often ones where you are using your legal representation to pursue someone else for losses you have suffered as a result of their actions.

As well as collecting strong evidence, it is often important to do so in a timely fashion, whilst the responsible party can still be effectively traced.

Know your dates

If the incident that caused the dispute took place before you took out cover with NFU Mutual then your legal expenses policy will not be able to support you, even if you now want to pursue the claim.

That does not mean you can’t move forward, but you should look through your records to find who your previous insurer was and contact them, as there is a good chance you will have also had legal expenses previously.

Contact DAS UK early

Contact DAS UK’s legal advice team as early as possible, do not refer to your own private solicitor or the NFU Legal Panel without making sure you have spoken to DAS UK first.

Also, make sure you contact DAS UK before incurring costs with any other legal representative.

Choose the right policy

If you have a dispute that arises from the use of a motor vehicle, you should use your motor legal expenses first. If you have a dispute that relates to a business venture, do you have a commercial legal expenses policy?