What is Legal Expense Insurance?

Legal Expense Insurance (LEI) provides affordable coverage for the legal fees and expenses incurred by a lawyer on specified matters. These matters are defined as fortuitous events, or issues that are not anticipated. These could include employment disputes, litigation, disciplinary actions, Human Rights complaints and criminal charges. Coverage is not discretionary. In other words, if the claim is covered within the governing terms and conditions of the policy, the policy responds. Legal Expense Insurance products can also offer coverage for predictable events such as a Will or Power of Attorney.

Legal Expense Insurance offers the most universal and affordable option for Canadians. Unfortunately, outside of Quebec, the concept of Legal Expense Insurance is largely unknown in Canada. In Quebec, the program has been successful because it was both endorsed and promoted by Quebec's Law Society (Le Barreau du Québec). Its members were smart enough to recognize the win-win benefits of Legal Expense Insurance. Currently more than 150,000 Quebec families have the benefit of low-cost coverage that provides them with access to a lawyer when they need it.