Commercial legal expenses insurance

Helps businesses and self-employed individuals cover legal costs for defence or claims, as long as there’s over a 50% chance of winning. Coverage varies by provider and may focus on specific issues like IR35 legislation.

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How much does commercial legal expenses insurance cost?

Commercial legal expenses insurance can be included with your subscription for £2.92 per month.

* Availability of this insurance depends on the type of work you do.
Features

Commercial legal expenses insurance at Suited

Our commercial legal expenses insurance is provided by ARAG and offers protection against a range of issues businesses encounter.

Cover up to £100,000
Suited offers a range of limits to suit your business needs.
Underwritten by ARAG
Suited works with established insurers of good financial standing.
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In detail

What is commercial legal expenses insurance?

It is commercial legal protection insurance for businesses and the self-employed that can be used in various situations concerning your business activities.

Also known as business legal expenses Insurance, this cover pays for the cost of legal defence (or offence if you're bringing a claim against a third party) as long as you have over a 50% chance of winning.

What does commercial legal expenses insurance cover?

The core element is to provide legal assistance and defence at no cost when you're facing a claim against you or wish to bring a claim against a third party.

Each insurance provider offers a slightly different cover. Some covers are very focused on one issue, e.g. IR35 legislation. Others respond to a broader variety of business legal and tax issues:

  • Commercial disputes
  • Legal claims against your business
  • IR35 and other HMRC investigations
  • Criminal prosecutions
  • Employment disputes
  • Compliance & regulation issues
  • Unpaid invoices

Commercial legal expenses insurance at Suited

ARAG commercial legal expenses insurance protects you and your business against a range of issues not typically covered by professional indemnity or public liability.

Commercial legal expenses insurance at Suited

ARAG commercial legal expenses insurance protects you and your business against a range of issues not typically covered by professional indemnity or public liability.

IR35 & HMRC investigations

Legal matters concerning your business

Employment disputes

Criminal prosecution

Compliance & regulation issues

Unpaid invoices

Also includes free telephone advice & help from qualified professionals.

Tax and commercial legal advice

Counselling for you and your staff

Access to a legal template library

Underwritten by top insurers - ARAG

Do I need commercial legal protection insurance?

Business legal expenses insurance is not considered an essential cover and is never contractually required.

Therefore, consider your industry, customer type, business partners, and industry regulations when deciding whether to use it.

Take estate agents as an example. Facing an unpaid invoice following a sale below the asking price or a threat of a fine from the regulator is very common. Professional indemnity or public liability insurance will not cover these types of legal threats.

Contract disputes are common across all industries, and even though you have a strong position, you may not be able to pursue a claim against your client or business partner due to the high legal costs.

Conversely, with business legal expenses insurance, you can access legal advice and defence if your case is strong.

How much is business legal expenses insurance?

The cost at Suited is £2.92 per month and the product is desgined for small businesses and self-employed professionals.

How does commercial legal expenses cover work?

ARAG commercial legal expenses insurance will provide you with qualified legal advice and assistance.

The legal team will consider your situation and recommend the best steps. If your claim is accepted, the legal team will guide you through every step from the outset, and when they consider it prudent, they'll take over to represent your best interest.

However, with commercial legal expenses insurance, you can also initiate a claim against a third party.

If you are facing a claim against you or want to pursue a claim against a third party, your chances of success must be greater than 50%. This is often expressed as a reasonable prospect of success.

The key phrase point is "a reasonable prospect of success".

The chances are determined by the insurance provider's legal team. Once you've submitted all the details, they'll consider the claim and let you know whether they agree to represent you.

How can commercial legal expenses insurance help during an IR35 investigation?

A qualified accountant and legal representative will be appointed to your case to deal with the investigation on your behalf. Commercial legal expenses insurance also covers the cost of appeals. Remember, your chances of success must be over 50%.

How much commercial legal expenses insurance do I need?

Based on the fact that most disputes can be ironed out through mediation, £100,000 should be plenty.

In the rare event of having to defend your business in a court of law, the amount should cover a substantial part of your legal costs, and, of course, how much you'll need to spend will probably depend a lot on how far you're prepared to go.

Remember that compensation or additional tax if you are found liable is not covered by commercial legal expenses insurance.

ARAG commercial legal expenses insurance does cover the fees associated with mediation and will help you find the right professionals who'll guide and represent you throughout the whole process provided your case meets the 50% rule.

In this section
FAQs

Common questions

How does commercial legal expenses cover help with unpaid invoices?

Any invoice over £500 that remains unpaid by your client can be handed over, and it will be formally chased on your behalf.

How does the telephone counselling work?

The counselling is provided by telephone and it is available for anyone in the business and their families.

How can commercial legal expenses cover help with breach of contract issues?

Breach of contract disputes are common. If your case falls within the scope of the policy and your chances of success are reasonable, commercial legal expenses will help you resolve the dispute by providing legal assistance.

Will commercial legal expenses cover pay my legal costs if I make a claim against someone else?

An assessment is undertaken first to asses the chances of success. If it is deemed to be more than 50%, you will have the support to go ahead.

A few questions then select the policies and limits you need.
Answer a few questions then select the policies and limits you need.
What people say
2 March
Extremely impressed

Extremely impressed with the professional and supportive service I received.

Kellie Williams
on Google
16 February
Very efficient

After shopping around for business liability cover, I found suited, I had a few questions and Jana from suited was very efficient...

Chezza
on Trustpilot
14 February
Great!

The website is easy to use and the process is intuitive, clear and easy to follow.

Matt M
on Trustpilot
11 February

I was recommended Suited, because I’d been stalling. Simple to use website, offered clear, concise information and selection...

Mokolada
on Trustpilot
12 December

Really fantastic service by the suited insure team! Always found the insurance side to be a bit confusing but the team took me...

Michael Ryan
on Google
15 September

A simple and flexible service for what I required. Great communication from start to finish.

Matthew Allen
on Google
1 August

I was looking for business insurance this easy to use and very well explained web site made the process simple and painless. Had a quote...

Piers Field
on Trustpilot
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