Legal Expense Insurance Protects Your Business

Legal Expense Insurance

When someone files a lawsuit against your company, contractors or employees, you have to decide whether you have the means to fight back. On average, a lawyer with 10 years of experience may charge up to $300 CAD per hour, and unfortunately, mounting legal costs may prevent contractors from enforcing their rights and defending themselves. Legal expense insurance makes seeking a lawyer the right decision every time.

What is Legal Expense Insurance?

LEI policies are designed to protect the policyholder (your company) in the event that you have a claim brought by another party or when your company brings the claim.

Legal expenses insurance comes in two basic types: Before-the-Event and After-the-Event. BTE insurance is more standard and recommended because it covers unforeseen legal events. ATE insurance, on the other hand, is most commonly purchased as soon as the contractor retains an attorney.

Legal expense insurance helps businesses without the budget to pursue litigation obtain affordable legal representation against regulatory and defective workmanship charges, consumer protection laws and other legal events. Protect your business's budget and supervisory staff from unexpected legal costs.*

Why is Legal Expense Insurance Needed?

One of the construction industry's biggest challenges is recruiting and retaining supervisory employees. Job site supervisors, foremen and other employees often worry about the legal risks they face from regulatory enforcement. After all, many construction contracts involve a substantial sum of money, much of which can become forfeit when construction companies cannot pursue their rights.

In Ontario, Bill 88, the Working for Workers Act, opened the door to lawsuits against general contractors. The bill allows third parties to file lawsuits against general contractors and employees for up to two years after detecting a violation. A construction business may have multiple overlapping projects, and one lawsuit can disrupt the company's ability to complete those projects due to outstanding fees and legal costs.

To aid construction companies, HUB EasyInsure, FENN & FENN Insurance, Thurston Consulting Services Inc., ARAG Legal Solutions Inc. and a panel of construction industry associations worked together to develop comprehensive legal expense insurance solutions.

Steve’s Claim – A Real Legal Expense Case

Steve is the owner of a landscape contracting business. One day an employee suffered a significant worksite injury when his arm got caught in a salter. Steve immediately called the ARAG Legal Helpline to begin the claims process to defend himself and his business during a Provincial Health and Safety investigation. ARAG assigned a lawyer, and upon review of the incident details, Steve acknowledged that his business would have to pay a fine.

The assigned lawyer attempted to settle what they believed was an appropriate fine of between $15,000 to $25,000. However, the Crown attorney would not budge from a minimum fine of $32,000. Since the Crown attorney would not settle, the case went to a provincial offences court hearing, where it was ruled that Steve's business would pay a fine of $28,000. Steve was pleased with the results because his business paid less than what the Crown was holding firm on. With legal expense insurance, his business saved over $18,000 in legal fees.

The Benefits of Legal Expense Insurance

Legal expense insurance in Canada provides qualified defence counsel for a variety of charges, including Occupational Health and Safety regulation charges.

Defence counsel coverage for supervisory staff improves retention and sets you apart as an employer of choice.

You get unlimited access to a Legal Helpline staffed by qualified lawyers to access confidential legal assistance and information that affects your business in any province or territory.

Helpline lawyers are available from 8:00 am to midnight local time and are available 24/7 in an emergency.

You could receive $100,000 or $200,000 limits of coverage for an assigned lawyer's time and related legal expenses.

Protection can be purchased online – avoid the hassle of paperwork!

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE FEATURES

Legal Expense Insurance for the construction industry goes beyond defence counsel for Occupational Health and Safety charges. It helps manage your company’s legal risks for:

Human Rights disputes

This covers disputes relating to an alleged statutory breach under human rights legislation.

Claim Example: An employee, Max, recently let go, is now suing for wrongful dismissal based on gender and is pursuing legal action and damages through the provincial human rights tribunal. A lawyer will be appointed to defend the business and cover legal costs from the first legal dollar spent.

Auto legal defence

This covers the defence of the insured when they are being prosecuted for a highway traffic or motor vehicle offence.

Claim Example: While rushing to get to work on time, Patil was pulled over for driving 30 km/h over the posted speed limit. Legal representation will be provided to defend Patil in traffic court and cover legal costs from the first dollar spent.

Statutory licence appeals

This legal expense insurance defends against the revocation, suspension or non-renewal of an operating or business licence.

Claim Example: A municipal licensing body has suspended George's operating licence for his business. Although a written notice of reasons was provided, the opportunity to respond was denied. A lawyer will be assigned to appeal the decision.

Property protection

This covers pursuing legal action relating to trespass or legal nuisance or if a third party causes physical damage to business property.

Claim Example: Sanjay's business is in a large business complex. Employees of a neighbouring business are using his parking spaces, leaving his employees and customers with nowhere to park. His business is suffering as a result. A lawyer will be appointed to take legal action to address the business's problem.

Bodily injury cases

This is coverage to pursue an insured's legal rights following a specific or sudden accident that causes their death or bodily injury.

Claim Example: David attends an offsite meeting. On the way to a meeting, David trips and falls due to an unsafe city sidewalk. A personal injury lawyer will be appointed to represent David to bring legal action against the city.

Tax protection

This covers responses to a business-related tax audit or tax appeal in relation to income tax, GST, PST, HST or payroll deduction.

Claim Example: The Canada Revenue Agency is auditing Bo's business expenses and demanding an on-site review of their records. A tax lawyer and/or tax accountant will be assigned to assist with the audit.

How much does coverage cost?

Legal expense insurance is affordable because it's based on how many full-time and/or seasonal employees you have on your payroll. There are also reduced rates for companies with a Certificate of Recognition for Health and Safety Practices. Get a quote today to save money, time and stress while knowing your company and your supervisory employees have ample legal protection.

Get Started

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers and clients the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

your name, address and social security number.
your payment history and claims information.
passive tracking information from our website or the Internet, including information obtained through the use of Internet "cookies."
information from other reporting agencies and state and federal government agencies, such as state motor vehicle departments.
information from other sources, such as your employer, information clearinghouses, medical or health care providers and/or other third parties.
your log-in information when you log into our website.
When you are no longer our customer, we may continue to share your information as described in this policy.

If you use our website, we may collect information about the browser you are using. Our web server may store your IP address and domain. We might track the pages you visit. We might look at what site you visited before visiting our site, or what site you visit when you leave our site. We collect this information using tracking tools described in this policy.

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons HUB International HKMB Limited may share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

Reasons we may share your personal information	May HUB International HKMB Limited share?	Can you limit this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes – such as to maintain your account(s), report to credit bureaus, to process or service requested or authorized transactions, to secure quotations for insurance, to obtain insurance coverage or to report or process claims.	Yes	No
We may also disclose your health, medical conditions or treatment information as necessary to process or service requested or authorized transactions or as otherwise permitted or required by law.
In order to comply with the law – to respond to court orders, legal investigations or subpoenas. We may also share if a government agency requests. We may also share if an investigatory body requests. We may also disclose your information as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.	Yes	No
For our marketing purposes – to offer our products and services to you.	Yes	No
For joint marketing with other financial companies	Yes	No
For our affiliates’ everyday business practices – information about your creditworthiness.	Yes	Yes
For our affiliates to market to you	Yes	Yes
For non-affiliates to market to you	Yes	Yes

To Limit Our Sharing

You can contact us at any time to limit our sharing by using the contact information at the bottom of this policy. You can opt out of receiving marketing emails by following the instructions in any marketing emails or text messages you receive. You can also opt-out by sending us an email at InformationCompliance@hubinternational.com or completing our on-line client opt-out form that can be found at the end of this policy. To request changes to or to review your information, or to have your personal information deleted, please send us an email at InformationCompliance@hubinternational.com. You may also write to our Chief Legal Officer at the address shown at the bottom of this policy.

If you do not wish to allow our website to use cookies, you may configure your browser to block them. Please understand that blocking cookies may reduce the functions and services our website makes available to you. Please refer to the specific instructions for your browser if you would like to block or screen cookies.

You can choose not to provide personal information while on our website; however, if you do not provide us with information, some website features may not work. You can also choose to configure your browser not to accept cookies. If you do so, however, some parts of our website may not work.

Questions?

Call 877.246.0085 or go to www.hubinternational.com.

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

This notice is provided by HUB International HKMB Limited and its subsidiaries and operating divisions listed below:

Algentis, LLC
BW Insurance Agency, Inc.
Carrión, Laffitte & Casellas, Inc.
Claims Administration Corporation
Flynn Insurance Agency
FNA Insurance Services, Inc.
Fotek Insurance Agency, Incorporated
HUB International HKMB Limited Financial Services
HUB International HKMB Limited CFR
HUB International HKMB Limited CLC Human Resources Consulting LLC
HUB International HKMB Limited Florida
HUB International HKMB Limited Gulf South
HUB International HKMB Limited Healthcare Solutions LLC
HUB International HKMB Limited Insurance Services Inc.
HUB International HKMB Limited Investment Services Inc.
HUB International HKMB Limited Iowa LLC
HUB International HKMB Limited Midwest Limited
HUB International HKMB Limited Mississippi LLC
HUB International HKMB Limited Mountain States Limited
HUB International HKMB Limited New England, LLC
HUB International HKMB Limited Northeast Limited
HUB International HKMB Limited Northwest LLC
HUB International HKMB Limited Southeast
HUB International HKMB Limited Colorado
HUB International HKMB Limited New Mexico
HUB International HKMB Limited Texas, Inc.
HUB International HKMB Limited Transportation Insurance Services Inc.
Impact Select Group, Inc.
Intercare Insurance Solutions, Inc.
ISR Marine Insurance Services LLC
Mt. Washington Group, LLC
Nonprofit Resources, Inc.
North American Marine Underwriters LLC
Pippel Insurance Agency, Inc.
Specialty Program Group LLC
The Feitelberg Company of Rhode Island, LLC
The HDH Group, Inc.
Voluntary Benefits Services Inc.

This listing is provided and is current as of November 2, 2015.

How does HUB International HKMB Limited protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We restrict access to such information to those employees or service providers who need to know such information in order to provide the requested services or products.

For those who access our website, the Internet is not 100% secure and we cannot promise that your use of our website will be completely safe. We encourage you to use caution while on the Internet.

How does HUB International HKMB Limited collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example:

When you submit an application or other completed forms that we receive from you.
Through your transactions with us, our affiliates or other third parties.
On our website or the Internet, including information obtained through the use of Internet "cookies."
From consumer or other reporting agencies and state and federal government agencies, such as state motor vehicle departments.
From other sources, such as your employer, information clearinghouses, medical or health care providers and/or other third parties.
Through co-branded areas on our website, which may use passive tracking to recognize you as a customer. This cookie will restrict your ability to access other insurance brokers or other businesses that would otherwise be made available to you on the co-branded areas.

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates or other companies.

How does HUB International HKMB Limited use my information?

To respond to your questions and requests.

To improve our website and update our email lists. For example, we might use cookies or your IP address to track new or past website visitors. We may also use tracking tools to see what areas of our website are the most interesting to our visitors.

To communicate with you about our relationship.

For other business purposes. For example, we may use your email What we do address to inform you about our products or services.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness.
Affiliates from using your information to market to you.
Sharing for non-affiliates to market to you.

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

What if there is more than one insured on a policy?

This policy describes our privacy practices for both current and former customers. If there is more than one person insured under a policy, this policy will be sent only to the named insured on that policy, but applies to all insureds.

What if I access your website from outside the United States?

If you are located outside of the United States, please be aware that information you provide to us may be sent to the United States. By using our website and giving us your information, you agree to such transfer. You also understand that the U.S. may not provide the same level of protections as the laws of your country.

Definitions

Affiliates:Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
- Affiliates include the family of insurance brokerage and other financial services companies owned by HUB International HKMB Limited.
Non-affiliates:Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
Joint Marketing:A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
- Our joint marketing partners include categories of companies such as insurance companies or banks.

Other important information

Our website contains links to third party sites. If you click on one of those links, you will be taken to websites we do not control. This policy does not apply to the information practices of those sites. You should read the privacy policy of those other websites carefully. We are not responsible for those third party sites. Links to outside sites do not constitute or imply endorsement by us of the linked site or any material displayed on those sites.

The websites on which this policy appears are not intended for children under 13; however, if Other important information you are a parent or legal guardian and believe that your child under 13 has provided us with personally identifiable information, please email us at InformationCompliance@hubinternational.com. If you want to write, use the address shown at the bottom of this policy. Please mark your inquiries to the attention of "COPPA - Information Request" and include your email address and phone number.

Learn more about how to protect your child online. Read the helpful information provided by the FTC. This information includes this consumer education bulletin.

From time to time we may change our privacy practices. The latest version of this policy will be posted on our website at the page it has historically appeared. Sometimes there may be a material change to this policy that we wish to apply retroactively. If so, we will notify you and obtain your consent to the extent required by law.

If you have additional questions you can call us at 877.246.0085, fax us at 866.296.8248, or reach us by email at InformationCompliance@hubinternational.com. You can write to us at:

Chief Legal Officer
HUB International HKMB Limited
300 North LaSalle Street, 17^th Floor
Chicago, IL 60654

Please include your name, address, telephone number and email address whenever you contact us, including by email. This helps us handle your request correctly.

Please click here for an electronic version of our on-line client opt-out form.

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING OR OBTAINING ANY MATERIALS, INFORMATION, OR SERVICES THROUGH THIS SITE. HUB International HKMB Limited ("we" or "us") provides access to and use of this site ("Website") subject to your acceptance of these terms and conditions ("Terms"). By accessing, using, or obtaining any data, materials, information, products, services, or other content (collectively, "Content") through this Website, you acknowledge that you have read and understand these Terms and agree to abide by them. If you do not accept or understand all of these Terms, do not access or use this Website and cease your current access.

LICENSING

HUB International HKMB Limited's subsidiaries are licensed as insurance brokers or agents in various U.S. states and Canadian provinces. This Website is not intended as a solicitation for insurance in any state or province where HUB or its subsidiaries are not licensed.

OWNERSHIP

HUB International HKMB Limited and its content providers ("Providers") own and have copyrights on this Website and all of the Content, which is protected by US, Canadian and International copyright laws and treaties. The information, materials and other content may not be modified, copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, downloaded, posted, transmitted, publicly displayed, used to created a derivative work, sold, or otherwise used for public or commercial purposes, in whole or in part, without the express prior written consent of HUB.

Trademarks, logos, and service marks displayed on this Website ("Marks") are the registered or common law Marks of HUB International HKMB Limited or its Providers. Your use of and access to this Website does not grant you any license or right to use any of the Marks. You may not use any technological means such as robots, spiders, or other devices to monitor materials available through this Website.

USE

By using this Website you warrant that you are at least 18 years of age and can enter into binding contracts for insurance or other goods. If you less than 18 years of age you may not use this Website and you must leave immediately. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any passwords, login names, or other information associated with your use of this Website.

You may not use this Website for any false or fraudulent purpose. You are also forbidden from using this Website to post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, indecent, inflammatory, pornographic or profane material, or any material that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any law. You may not use any device, software, or routine that interferes or attempts to interfere with the normal operation of this Website or take any action that imposes an unreasonable load on HUB International HKMB Limited's computer equipment.

You may not use this Website for any commercial, financial or other similar purpose without the express prior written consent of HUB International HKMB Limited.

Finally, you may not use this Website for any purpose that is unlawful or otherwise prohibited by these Terms.

HUB International HKMB Limited reserves the right, at any time and without advance notice or liability, to terminate your access to this Website or any component therein.

PRIVACY

Your use of this Website is subject to our Privacy Policy. Your acceptance of these Terms indicates your consent to the Privacy Policy as well.

CO-BRANDED AREAS

In order to provide a greater breadth of services, certain functions provided on this Website are outsourced to third parties. Specifically, HUB International HKMB Limited has contracted with a third party to help improve our technical services and operations as well as provide additional business services to our visitors. Certain pages in this Website, therefore, are operated and controlled by a third party ("Co-Branded Areas"). These Co-Branded Areas continue to display HUB's trademarked logo at the top of the page but are nonetheless operated and managed by a third party. These Terms, in conjunction with any further terms and conditions posted in the Co-Branded Areas, govern your access and use of those areas. In all other respects, access to the Co-Branded Areas is at your own risk.

Links. This Website may contain links to other sites on the World Wide Web, other than the Co-Branded Areas. When you access a link that takes you to an unaffiliated website, a "pop-up" screen will appear indicating that you are leaving this Website. Links to outside sites do not constitute or imply endorsement by HUB International HKMB Limited of the linked site or any material contained within, and we are not responsible or liable for the information contained, or any products or services offered, on such other sites. Access to these sites is at your own risk.

PRODUCTS/QUOTATIONS

Under no circumstances should you regard any information you may access in this Website as a recommendation, advice, or complete description of any products, service, or plan. Application for an insurance quotation through this Website does not constitute a binder of insurance coverage or the reporting of a claim. The application may be used by HUB International HKMB Limited to provide an estimate of the terms, conditions, and costs of coverage. A quotation may be subject to receipt of additional information or other conditions. Insurance coverage is provided by various insurance companies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the policies. Circumstances vary and Website visitors must carefully review their own insurance policies and consult with their insurance advisors.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

HUB International HKMB Limited AND ITS PROVIDERS MAKE NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND REGARDING THIS WEBSITE AND/OR THE CONTENT. THIS WEBSITE AND CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS-IS". HUB EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY THAT THIS WEBSITE WILL BE ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR UNINTERRUPTED. HUB FURTHER DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY, COMPLETENESS OR TIMELINESS OF ANY OF THE CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE, AND FURTHER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY RESULTING FROM OR ARISING OUT OF ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED IN THE INFORMATION OR MATERIALS ACCESSED ON OR THROUGH THIS WEBSITE. HUB AND ITS PROVIDERS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, FREEDOM FROM COMPUTER VIRUS AND THOSE ARISING BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE IN LAW OR FROM A COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE DISCLAIMER OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THIS WARRANTY DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY IN WHOLE OR IN PART TO YOU.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

HUB International HKMB Limited AND ITS PROVIDERS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR (A) ANY DAMAGES TO OR VIRUSES THAT MAY INFECT YOUR COMPUTER EQUIPMENT OR OTHER PROPERTY AS THE RESULT OF YOUR ACCESS TO, USE OF OR BROWSING IN THIS WEBSITE OR YOUR DOWNLOADING OF ANY CONTENT OR (B) ANY INJURY, LOSS, CLAIM, DAMAGE, OR ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS OR LOST SAVINGS), WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, THAT ARISES OUT OF OR IS IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH (i) ANY USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR THE CONTENT FOUND THEREIN, (ii) ANY FAILURE OR DELAY (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE ANY COMPONENT OF THIS WEBSITE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES), OR (iii) THE PERFORMANCE OR NON-PERFORMANCE BY US OR ANY PROVIDER, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN, OR A PROVIDER HAS BEEN ADVISED, OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES TO SUCH PARTIES OR ANY OTHER PARTY. THIS DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY APPLIES TO ANY DAMAGES OR INJURY CAUSED BY ANY FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, ERROR, OMISSION, INTERRUPTION, DELETION, DEFECT, DELAY IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER VIRUS, COMMUNICATION LINE FAILURE, THEFT OR DESTRUCTION OR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO, ALTERATION OF, OR USE OF RECORD, WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORTIOUS BEHAVIOR, NEGLIGENCE, OR UNDER ANY OTHER CAUSE OF ACTION.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Website contains press releases and other written statements issued by HUB International HKMB Limited and may include forward-looking statements which reflect the current views of HUB with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of their dates. HUB undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

MISCELLANEOUS

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, excepting its conflicts of law principles. Any dispute arising out of this Website shall be subject to the exclusive venue of a court of competent jurisdiction in Chicago, Illinois. The headings in these Terms are for convenience and reference and shall have no legal effect. Any failure by HUB International HKMB Limited to act with respect to you or another person's breach of these Terms will not constitute a waiver with respect to future or similar breaches. If a court finds any of these Terms to be unenforceable or invalid, such Term(s) deemed unenforceable or invalid will be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the other Terms will remain valid and enforceable. These Terms, together with those items incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and HUB relating to your use of the site and replaces any prior oral or written understandings or agreements.

REVISIONS

HUB International HKMB Limited reserves the right to change these Terms from time to time and in its sole discretion. If these Terms change, the revised Terms will be posted at the "Terms and Conditions" link on this Website's home page. Any material changes to the Terms will be brought to your attention when you next visit this Website. In addition, the last time these Terms were revised is set forth below. If the date displayed is later in time than your last visit, you must re-read these Terms. Your continued use of this Website after the date of the last revision indicates your acceptance of any revisions.

These Terms were last revised on January 23, 2012.