- How much does legal expense insurance cost in Cow Head?
- The cost of legal expense insurance in Cow Head depends on your specific details, coverage, and deductible. The best way to know is a free quote — as an independent broker we compare 17 insurers to find your lowest price.
- How do I get legal expense insurance in Cow Head?
- Request a quote online in minutes or call Insurabiz at 613-355-3130. We'll compare our full panel of insurers to find the right legal expense insurance for you in Cow Head.
- Why use a broker for legal expense insurance in Cow Head?
- A broker works for you, not one insurer. We shop the whole market at once to find the best legal expense insurance coverage and price in Cow Head — with local advice and an advocate at claim time.
- What does business legal expense insurance cover?
- It pays your legal costs in listed categories of dispute, typically employment disputes, contract disputes, tax audits and appeals, statutory licence challenges and property disputes. Covered costs usually include your lawyer's fees, expert fees, court costs and costs awarded to the other side. Most policies also include a telephone legal advice line. It does not pay damages or settlements you owe.
- How is legal expense insurance different from liability insurance?
- Liability insurance responds when someone claims you injured them, damaged their property or caused them financial loss, and pays both defence and damages. Legal expense insurance pays only legal costs, but for a wider range of disputes, including ones you bring yourself, such as pursuing a customer or appealing a tax assessment, where no liability policy responds.
- Does it cover disputes that started before I bought the policy?
- No. The event that causes the dispute, such as the dismissal or the breach of contract, generally has to happen after the policy starts, and some sections add a waiting period. Disputes you already knew about are excluded. That is why it is best bought while things are quiet, rather than when a problem is already developing.
- Does legal expense insurance cover CRA audits?
- Many business policies include a tax section that pays an accountant's or lawyer's professional fees to respond to a Canada Revenue Agency audit, file an objection and appeal to the Tax Court of Canada. It does not pay the tax, interest or penalties assessed. A corporation has 90 days from the notice of assessment to file an objection.
- Will it pay if an employee sues my business?
- Usually, yes, for the defence costs. Employment sections typically cover wrongful dismissal suits, employment standards complaints and human rights applications brought by employees or former employees. They do not pay the damages or settlement. Employers wanting cover for awards as well should look at employment practices liability insurance alongside it.
- Can I choose my own lawyer?
- It depends on the wording. Many policies have the insurer appoint or approve counsel, sometimes from a panel, at agreed rates. Some let you choose your own lawyer once court or tribunal proceedings begin, or if there is a conflict of interest. Check this before buying if you have an existing relationship with a law firm.
- Why would an insurer refuse to fund my case?
- Common reasons are that the dispute began before the policy started, it falls outside the listed categories, it was reported late, costs were incurred before the insurer accepted the claim, or a lawyer judged that it lacked reasonable prospects of success. Some policies also set minimum amounts in dispute for contract claims.
- Is the legal advice line really useful?
- It is the part of the policy you can use before any dispute exists. Calling before you terminate an employee, reply to a demand letter or sign a lease can prevent a dispute or preserve a defence. Many disputes have short limitation periods, such as one year for a human rights application in Ontario, so early advice helps keep deadlines from passing.
- What does legal expense insurance cost?
- It is priced on your number of employees and payroll, revenue, industry, the licences you rely on, the sections and limits you choose, and your dispute history. Premiums are usually modest compared with the cost of a single contested dispute, which is why many businesses add it to an existing package rather than buying it as a standalone policy.
