NFU Legal Assistance Scheme

[Steevo]

What are TFF members thoughts on this please?

Have you ever had cause to use it? Have you found it helpful?

 

[Hesston4860s]

Thought it was very good when I used it several years ago, could do with it now really for my BPS but I’m longer a member as it got to expensive.

 

[renewablejohn]

Absolute rip off. Was supposed to be covered for 25k even had it in writing from NFU that they would pay out but they wriggled out of it leaving me with an over 20k legal bill which I had to fund myself. Needless to say NFU insurance have never received another penny off me.

 

[Still Farming]

Absolute rip off. Was supposed to be covered for 25k even had it in writing from NFU that they would pay out but they wriggled out of it leaving me with an over 20k legal bill which I had to fund myself. Needless to say NFU insurance have never received another penny off me.

Small print or exclusions was it?

 

[Clive]

Have had much better schemes ‘legal protect’ through F&M and Acres that give 1 million of legal cost cover and cost far less than the NFU policy when we had it

 

[Steevo]

Have had much better schemes ‘legal protect’ through F&M and Acres that give 1 million of legal cost cover and cost far less than the NFU policy when we had it

That's a difference thing.

NFU Legal Assistance Scheme (LAS) is paid to NFU along with NFU Farmer and Grower Membership (NFU)
(see https://www.nfuonline.com/membership/your-nfu-member-services/legal-assistance-scheme-las/)

NFU Legal Expenses cover is an NFU Mutual Insurance product. (NFU Mutual)

 

[renewablejohn]

Small print or exclusions was it?

Accepted a drop hands offer as legal costs where expected to spiral and the policy only covered upto 25k and was already in excess of 20k. Came up with an excuse that the policy was only for full time farmers which was total rubbish.

 

[Still Farming]

Accepted a drop hands offer as legal costs where expected to spiral and the policy only covered upto 25k and was already in excess of 20k. Came up with an excuse that the policy was only for full time farmers which was total rubbish.

Were you a subscription member too?

 

[Bernardbean]

We've used it before, but generally you only get the apprentice learning the ropes at certain places, so I wasn't impressed really, probably better to find the right man and just pay up if need to....

 

[Clive]

That's a difference thing.

NFU Legal Assistance Scheme (LAS) is paid to NFU along with NFU Farmer and Grower Membership (NFU)
(see https://www.nfuonline.com/membership/your-nfu-member-services/legal-assistance-scheme-las/)

NFU Legal Expenses cover is an NFU Mutual Insurance product. (NFU Mutual)

Sorry, misunderstood the post

 

[milkloss]

What are TFF members thoughts on this please?

Have you ever had cause to use it? Have you found it helpful?

I see they still tout that they offer support for NVZ appeals. I remember when I was considering it I think my retort when they told me the value of their support was that I could earn more playing a guitar in the high street for a day. I can’t play the guitar for sh1t.

 

[Raider112]

In my experience the biggest advantage of being in the NFU is the help you get when you find yourself in a bit of bother, take advantage, that's what it's there for.

 

[rusty]

Friend of mine had over 50k from LAS. He had unwarranted environmental restrictions placed on him and it was a point of principal that would have had implications for other farmers. This is where LAS comes into its own with cases you could not afford to fully fund yourself.

 

[steveR]

What are TFF members thoughts on this please?

Have you ever had cause to use it? Have you found it helpful?

Used it twice, and yes, found it helpful.

I specified the Solicitors I wanted each time and considered the service a good, low cost support.

I did drop out of the Premium service from the NFU, as I was less than impressed as regards VFM.

 

[Steevo]

Sorry, misunderstood the post

No need. If I'm honest the NFUM legal support I have had hasn't been great (it's farmed out to DAS) so it's encouraging to hear there are better products out there. My local NFU office have put in a complaint to NFUM HQ regarding this as they have seen first hand it's not adequate so perhaps one day things might change.

Do you know F&M/Acres policies are underwritten with please?

 

[Steevo]

Thought it was very good when I used it several years ago, could do with it now really for my BPS but I’m longer a member as it got to expensive.

Absolute rip off. Was supposed to be covered for 25k even had it in writing from NFU that they would pay out but they wriggled out of it leaving me with an over 20k legal bill which I had to fund myself. Needless to say NFU insurance have never received another penny off me.

We've used it before, but generally you only get the apprentice learning the ropes at certain places, so I wasn't impressed really, probably better to find the right man and just pay up if need to....

I see they still tout that they offer support for NVZ appeals. I remember when I was considering it I think my retort when they told me the value of their support was that I could earn more playing a guitar in the high street for a day. I can’t play the guitar for sh1t.

Friend of mine had over 50k from LAS. He had unwarranted environmental restrictions placed on him and it was a point of principal that would have had implications for other farmers. This is where LAS comes into its own with cases you could not afford to fully fund yourself.

Used it twice, and yes, found it helpful.

I specified the Solicitors I wanted each time and considered the service a good, low cost support.

I did drop out of the Premium service from the NFU, as I was less than impressed as regards VFM.

Certainly some mixed reviews......

I'm unsure whether it almost promises more than it can deliver - i.e. when you need it you find it's worthless.......or whether the 1/10,000 chance you are able to use it is worthwhile enough that, like insurance it's worth having.

Had two situations this year where I'm told it could have come in handy.....but I'm not sure if that's a bit like the NFU vehicle discounts - it sounds good til you look a little deeper then you find it's not what you hoped it would be.

 

[Surgery]

No need. If I'm honest the NFUM legal support I have had hasn't been great (it's farmed out to DAS) so it's encouraging to hear there are better products out there. My local NFU office have put in a complaint to NFUM HQ regarding this as they have seen first hand it's not adequate so perhaps one day things might change.

Do you know F&M/Acres policies are underwritten with please?

Das seem to take an age to correspond with solicitors over fees , I have found it best to phone das direct just after the solicitor has requested fees going forward and funny enough they get their finger out and sort it , I dare say any underwriter with any insurance set up has a similar method of working as they do have to access the case going forward as why would you pay out if no positive outcome can be reached.

 

[Bald Rick]

What are TFF members thoughts on this please?

Have you ever had cause to use it? Have you found it helpful?

Yes, twice.

Whilst it’s a help, ALL lawyers are bloodsuckers and leach fees that I would find hard to justify. Mind, barristers are even worse. Refreshers indeed

 

[Nav man]

Disappointed when we used them. If the person/people your fighting are also members they can’t help. Think they called it inter member dispute. The only offered mediation or 25% discount with solicitors on panel. Found going direct was more than 25% discount anyway!

 

[David.]

Is this the "free" legal assistance that is claimed as one of the benefits of membership?