With legal expenses insurance, you can have legal costs for disputes with the government reimbursed. Discover what is covered and what is not.
Which costs does legal expenses insurance cover?
Legal expenses insurance often provides coverage for:
- Fees of lawyers or attorneys
- Court registry fees
- Expenses for experts
- Sometimes the opponent's procedural costs
Administrative law coverage in Utrecht
Many insurances cover administrative law matters, such as:
- Objection to a rejected permit
- Appeal against imposed fines or penalty payments
- Disputes over social benefits
- Proceedings regarding planning damage
What is not covered?
Be aware of exclusions in the policy conditions:
| Exclusion | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Construction disputes | Problems with own construction initiatives |
| Business matters | With a private policy |
| Existing disputes | Matters that already existed before the insurance |
| Hopeless cases | Insurer may reject if little chance of success |
Freedom of choice of lawyer
You have the right to your own lawyer, but:
- This applies only to court cases
- Reimbursement is often limited to a maximum amount
- In objection procedures, the insurer may assign its own lawyer
Alternatives without insurance in Utrecht
If you do not have legal expenses insurance, you can seek help from:
- Juridisch Loket Utrecht, Catharijnesingel 55 (free advice)
- Subsidised legal aid via an addition
- Social welfare officers via the municipality of Utrecht
Frequently asked questions about legal expenses insurance
Do I need to inform my insurer immediately?
Yes, report a dispute as soon as possible. The insurer determines whether it falls under the coverage.
What if the insurer considers my case hopeless?
You can request a second opinion or invoke the dispute resolution of your policy.
Is appeal also reimbursed?
In most cases yes, but consult your policy for specific conditions.
Relevant institutions in Utrecht
For legal matters, you can go to:
- District Court Midden-Nederland, Vrouwe Justitiaplein 1
- Juridisch Loket Utrecht, Catharijnesingel 55