The cost of taking legal action can be prohibitive. Could
you afford to claim compensation if you were injured in an accident, unfairly
dismissed from work or had a dispute with a business?
A friend of mine has had legal insurance for the past three
years and believed he was covered. About a month ago, he was accused of being
involved in a theft syndicate at his work. He immediately called his legal
insurance company, but was informed they do not cover criminal cases. He was
taken for a polygraph test (is that even legal in Namibia?), and informed that
he had failed the test. This led to him leaving the job that morning to go
speak to his legal insurer.
An guess what the legal insurance company tells him? They
inform him they do not cover the expenses for a labour case either.
WHAT is it with insurance companies that do not want to pay
claims? If you complain at NAMFISA they can do very little to help.
If I am going to buy legal insurance I expect:
Bail Assistance
•
Bail negotiations and applications on members’ behalf
•
Depositing of the bail amount/issuing of bail guarantee
on behalf of arrested member
In other words, I must know that if I a accused of a crime
that I have instant legal assistance when I am arrested and the legal
representative shall do everything in their power to have me released on bail.
In addition, my legal insurance will cover a ceratin amount – for example bail
up to N$10,000.
Civil Law
•
Bank and insurance matters
•
Blacklisting
•
Building and construction matters
•
Contractual disputes
•
Debt collection
•
Letters of demand
•
Litigation
•
Personal injury claims, etc
I I should find myself in a case where I am accused of wrong
doing by an individual (civil meaning between two parties), I hope my insurance
company will cover all the types of cases, as well as assist when I wish to
take another person or company to court in a civil case.
Criminal Law
•
Fraud, theft, robbery or assault
•
Arrests
•
Bail applications
•
Consumer issues
•
Driving under the influence
•
Reckless driving
•
Search warrants, etc.
This area is where most legal insurance companies are doing
proper cover. This is of course the area that scares most citizens. But, in all
probability, this is the area which legal insurance companies know are used the
least – but do wonders for advertising.
Family Law
•
Ante-nuptial contracts
•
Custody disputes
•
Divorces
•
Family violence matters
•
Interdicts
•
Maintenance disputes, etc.
Being able to handle family affairs privately and
confidentially is very important for every consumer. This area of law also
calls for the ability to settle disputes within the family about legal matters.
Labour Law
•
Dismissals
•
Disciplinary proceedings
•
Pension payout disputes
•
Restraint of trade agreements
•
Retrenchments
•
Unpaid wages
•
Working condition
In the employment arena we are often caught out either not
knowing our rights, or thinking that we actually do when we don’t. Our legal
insurance should allow us to get quick assistance, especially in cases where we
need advice before following any course of action that could be detrimental in
the long run.
Surely this is not too much to ask from your legal insurance
company?
