Prepaid legal services plans are a type of insurance plan that many companies offer and market through employers, unions, and credit unions. These plans provide an overview of legal coverage and the benefits it offers, with prices and services varying depending on the Canadian state or province. LegalShield is a product of Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. (PPLSI).
It is important to read the specific details on terms, coverage, prices, conditions and exclusions in the Personal Legal Plans or Small Business Legal Plans sections of the PPLSI website. Neither PPLSI nor its officers, employees, or sales associates directly or indirectly provide legal services, representation, or advice. Case studies are real experiences of LegalShield members, however names and identities have been changed to meet attorney-client privilege requirements. For statistics on actual earnings, see the Revenue Disclosure Statement.
Companies that offer prepaid legal services sign agreements with companies that sell prepaid legal service plans in several jurisdictions. The contract or prepaid plan for legal services, rather than what a sales representative says, controls the scope of the services. Companies also offer prepaid legal services through employers who want to make plans available to employees as part of a benefit plan. Many people compare prepaid legal services to health insurance with the idea that you are paying for something that will be available if you ever need it.
Since most people only turn to a lawyer a few times in their lifetime, a prepaid legal services plan could be insurance you can do without. Prepaid legal services promise numerous benefits such as consulting with lawyers about employment or insurance disputes, personal injury, criminal matters, and other matters. Investing in an emergency fund is much better than paying for prepaid legal services that you may never use.