Legal expense insurance specialist Arag Services Australia has launched a product for drivers that is “like having a lawyer at your disposal”. 

The product, which starts at $60, has been launched with Licence Protect MD Dean Bowen. 

“To be able to provide a solution for legal expenses and helpline benefits to drivers is a great value add and fills a ... gap in the market,” Mr Bowen said. “We look forward to working with Arag to grow this product.” 

Sydney-based Mr Bowen was NSW/ACT young broker of the year in 2022 and co-founded Marine Skippers Insurance. 

The new product covers licensed drivers of any vehicle and offers up to $25,000 per claim towards expert lawyers’ fees and a helpline operated by motor law experts. 

Arag Services Australia CEO Natasha Gale says partnering with Licence Protect provided an opportunity to develop a bespoke cover and “fit our belief that every individual should be able to assert their legal rights”. 

While legal expense insurance is commonly held by businesses across Europe, Canada and the US, it is less known here, even though Australia is among the world’s most litigious countries. 

The Licence Protect website says there are more than 500,000 guilty verdicts for motoring offences in Australia each year, and this will rise with the increase in automated traffic enforcement. 

“Without professional advice, many motorists are being railroaded into admissions of guilt without the facts being fairly heard,” it says. “We want to enable every motorist, not just those that can afford it, access to the very best motor legal defence. 

"We have a dedicated, best in class service, built around providing the very best expert legal support to protect and serve our customers, many of whom have never conflicted with road traffic enforcement before.” 

ARAG Services Australia legal expense insurance is underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE – Australia. 

Licence Protect is a corporate authorised representative of Community Broker Network.