In-Depth Drivers Legal Plan Reviews: What You Need to Know

Drivers Legal Plans Explained

As a driver on the road, you face a myriad of challenges. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself confronting a legal issue requiring the help of a qualified attorney. Whether this issue involves a misdemeanor or felony charge, a traffic ticket, or some other matter, it can feel overwhelming to sort out how to best navigate the legal system.
Fortunately, drivers legal plans are designed to be there for you. These plans offer a host of benefits to drivers in need of immediate legal assistance. For one, drivers legal plans act as an on-call resource for drivers to speak directly to an attorney, no matter the time of day. This is often a highly reassuring benefit, as it allows you to get your legal questions answered quickly, at any hour of the day or night .
Additionally, drivers legal plans provide the legal guidance necessary to understand the implications of a ticket or offense and help you make the best decision about how to proceed with your case. They may also provide an extremely useful consultation to drivers facing a lawsuit due to an accident. After all, an attorney’s advice is often invaluable when it comes to these kinds of circumstances.
Even if you’re involved in a crash, have received a traffic citation, or are arrested for DUI, a drivers legal plan will have a lawyer available to help you virtually anywhere in the country. So, from DUI charges in California to auto accident lawsuits in Maine, drivers legal plans offer excellent value and security to drivers nationwide.

The Advantages of Drivers Legal Plans

When weighing your options for legal coverage, it’s important to understand the benefits they provide. Generally, if you have a legal issue, a drivers legal plan will provide you with more coverage than if you simply hired a lawyer on your own.
One of the major benefits of drivers legal plans is that they provide services to drivers who aren’t necessarily involved in car accidents (although that’s one thing they do). Their coverage extends beyond representation after an accident and into a wide range of other problems that might come about when you’re on the road. That means they can be very useful for accident-related issues as well as non-accident related issues like DUI/DWI or license reinstatement.
Most drivers legal plans will cover both representation and legal advice. Coverage typically includes the following issues:
Accident Representation
Drivers legal plan members are entitled to have a lawyer represent them at a DMV hearing to fight for their driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
DUI/DWI Representation
If they have been arrested for driving under the influence, they always have the right to speak to an attorney for legal advice.
Legal Advice
Advice is available for accident-related matters, including accident-related criminal matters, license matters, license reinstatement hearings and insurance questions. Members are provided up to one hour of free legal advice per accident-related legal matter.
Regular Traffic Tickets
Members may be defended in city, county, or state traffic courts if they are unable to appear on the scheduled court date. If they can’t appear on the scheduled date, a court appearance by a lawyer is covered.
License Matters
Lawyers will assist them at license suspension or revocation hearings. They will also represent them at hearings to get their license reinstated after jail time has been served, and they have completed their terms of probation.
Traffic Court Representation
They will be defended against misdemeanor charges for which the maximum punishment is a fine or jail sentence. The membership will be canceled if representation has been provided in connection with a conviction or finding of guilt involving such a charge.

Drivers Legal Plans We’ve Reviewed

Many companies offer drivers legal plans at nominal monthly or yearly rates. Below, I review six of the more popular drivers legal plans in the market today:
Aeris Blue by Aeris Group
The Aeris Blue plan allows subscribers to have a lawyer send a letter on their behalf for up to two problem areas each month. The plan also allows subscriber to have one 30 minute telephone consultation concerning problems in other areas of law. The basic plan requires a $45 per month subscription for a minimum of six months.
Consumer Law and Advocacy by Lawline of America
Subscribers have access to a 30 minute telephone consultation with attorneys. Attorneys can provide assistance in any area of law. Subscribers must pay the attorney directly for the cost of any professional representing them. This plan costs $35 per month for a year.
Motor Club of America Legal Services
This plan provides subscribers with five letters sent on their behalf in any area of law, and telephone consultations in each area of law. Subscribers must pay the attorney directly for any professional representing them. This plan requires a $10 per month subscription for a minimum of six months.
Legal Shield Legal Plan
The Legal Shield program allows for up to two letters sent by the attorneys in an area of law. In addition, subscribers are given the option of a review of documents, traffic ticket defense, or telephone consultations and mediation services in all other areas of law. Subscribers must pay the attorney directly for any professional representing them in a traffic case. Subscribers get this plan for a $17.95 per month subscription, which requires a 12 month commitment.
Civic Plus Plan
The plan provides participants with access to 30 minute consultations on any legal matter they wish. For $15 per month, the plan is an excellent value to find out whether is an issue worth pursuing or how to handle a matter and if legal representation is required. Subscribers are responsible for paying attorney’s fees. This plan requires a one year commitment.
Pre-Paid Legal Services
Subscribers can ask questions, get referrals and make appointments with local attorneys. Subscribers can also have up to 30 minutes spent on in-person consultations in all areas of law. Subscribers must pay the attorney directly for representation.
Staff Attorney Network Legal Assistance Program
Subscribers can have questions answered and make appointments with attorneys that belong to the Staff Attorney Network, which is an organized group of local attorneys. Subscribers must pay the attorney directly for representation.
As you can see, some drivers legal plans provide less in terms of coverage but provide better value than others by allowing for meaningful consultations.

What Customers Are Saying About Drivers Legal Plans

Listening to drivers who use drivers legal plans reveals the true value of how drivers legal plans are really helping drivers. Findings of driver satisfaction levels and the depth of coverage they received from their plans can also be helpful to others.
Positive Testimonials
"Even after I made request on Sunday, the attorney called me back that same day and we discussed my case. I was very impressed with that." Maryland Plan Member
"The attorney I spoke with sat down and covered all my options in detail. He answered every question that I had and more" South Carolina Plan Member
"I was very happy and loved talking to my attorney. This is a good company." Illinois Plan Member
"I called directly to the attorney and spoke to him. He was courteous, patient, kind, and so easy to speak with. It just made me feel very confident and comfortable to know I was speaking to someone who not only cares about what happens to you but can also help you when needed." Pennsylvania Plan Member
"I was very satisfied that my plan was going to take care of everything for me. The attorney answered every question I had , I didn’t even have to ask." Vermont Plan Member
Negative Testimonials and Experiences
"I have not been able to obtain an attorney in months. I have been told by multiple people that it is ‘no longer in service.’" New Jersey Plan Member
"They told me that the lawyer will have to prepare the case about three months before my court date. Well, my court date is tomorrow, and I still cannot reach anyone, let alone have a lawyer prepare anything." Georgia Plan Member
"Customer Service was horrendous. I’ve tried to make contact with the benefits hotline several times, and was told that my case cannot be covered. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it has happened once already, and as a customer, I expect to be able to access the help I’ve paid for." New Jersey Plan Member
"Too many times, I have gone to the attorney and when called back, left messages not returned. I am trying really hard to stay with this service but I am becoming disenchanted." North Carolina Plan Member

When You Need a Plan, What Considerations Come into Play?

When deciding on a particular plan, there are several factors that drivers should consider, both in terms of cost and scope of coverage. While comprehensive legal plans provide complete coverage, especially for contract enforcement, the bottom line for many drivers is cost overages that don’t seem to add up.
There are two basic forms of pricing when it comes to a plan. The flat rate covers all issues such as contract enforcement, compliance issues, both dangerous and routine cargo and cargo loss claims. The per mile pricing applies a 1.5-2 cent per mile fee for each mile traveled in a given quarter. Although the per mile structure is more equitable, it can be less attractive, given the uncertain nature of miles traveled over a given time period.
As mentioned before, some plans will only cover vehicular equipment pieces on a contract. They will not cover any of the tasks pertaining to the truck or trailer that need repair or replacement. For many drivers, this is a significant issue, because they may regularly deal with non-motorized equipment like flatbeds, vans, and containers.
In addition to equipment coverage, drivers have to consider the level of coverage given by a particular plan. If a driver has a claim, there are certain amounts or percentages as it pertains to the total amount of bills that can be covered.
For instance, a driver may only be able to recover a set amount towards a bodily injury claim, only some of which might be covered by a plan. This means that the driver is on the hook to pay the remaining portion of the claim.
Defending lawsuits is another area where price structures come into play. Each plan will charge a given amount towards defending lawsuits, but some of those costs will still be subject to an additional fee.
Still, some plans provide drivers with more than a defense, actively seeking to defend and protect their interests in whatever matter arises.

Drivers Legal Plans Conclusion: Is a Plan Worth The Investment?

When you look at the pros and cons of subscribing to an auto or drivers legal plan, it’s easy to see why they are attractive for many people. On the positive side of the balance sheet:
• It’s the financially savvy choice if you’re unfortunate enough to get a ticket or have an accident.
• You’ll have peace of mind knowing you can contact an attorney 24/7 in any state.
• You’ll be able to exercise your legal rights should it become necessary.
• You won’t be charged for expensive hourly fees.
• Your employer will be able to offer you the plan as a benefit, making it even easier to afford .
On the negative side of the equation:
• You’ll have to pay for the driver’s legal plan, which is considered an insurance plan. If you get access to a plan through your employer, you may pay only a small portion of the overall cost. But if you subscribe independently, you’ll need to pay the total premium yourself.
• You’ll be billed or required to pay your attorney up front (with the exception of those instances where an attorney is court-appointed).
The bottom line is that like any investment, it’s important that you do your research to make sure a driver’s legal plan is right for you. After all, the "best value" doesn’t always mean the lowest-cost option.