• Agent
  • Aggregate limit
  • After the event (ATE) insurance
  • Appointed lawyer
  • Appointed representative
  • Before the event insurance
  • Claim reference
  • Claim type
  • Conflict of interest
  • Cover excess
  • Costs and expenses
  • Date of accrual
Agent

A company that sells products on behalf of an insurance company. Also known as intermediary.

Aggregate limit

A limit on the amount an insurer will pay out in total under a policy. For limits on individual claims, see limit of indemnity.

After the event (ATE) insurance

A policy you can buy to cover the costs of a legal dispute after it has arisen. This type of insurance is usually provided alongside a ‘no win no fee’ agreement with a legal firm.

Appointed lawyer

A legal firm appointed by a legal expenses insurance company to act on your behalf.

Appointed representative

A lawyer, accountant or other qualified person appointed by a legal expenses insurer to act on your behalf.

Before the event insurance

What you would probably think of as “normal” insurance; it is legal expenses insurance that is purchased before anything that would lead to a claim has happened to protect you from the cost of problems in the future.

Claim reference

A unique reference number an insurance company will provide to you to identify your claim.

Claim type

The general area of law that a claim relates to; for example, a contract dispute or an employment dispute.

Conflict of interest

A situation where self-interest and professional or public interest clash – for example, when the same law firm is representing both parties in a dispute.

Cover excess

The amount that you have to pay towards the cost of any claim. Your policy wording will specify how much your cover excess is. Also known as policy excess.

Costs and expenses

This can include a range of different things that your legal expenses insurer may pay for, including your representative’s fees, court fees, the costs of experts, legal costs if you are ordered to or agree to pay them.

Date of accrual

The date that action that leads to a claim takes place. For example, the date of accrual for a contract dispute would be the date that the contract was breached and not the date that you became aware of the breach.