THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 7, 1995 TAG: 9502070323
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
People forfeit a share of their paychecks on premiums ensuring health care will be there when they need it. We dole out money for life insurance so our heirs and survivors are protected.
So why not pay for legal services before you need them? Legal Resources of Virginia, based in Virginia Beach, is already using the idea.
It has caught on with workers who see it as a form of legal insurance in an effort to ease on-the-job fears and avert the major costs of sudden legal crises.
``The more aware and educated the consumer becomes of the concept and benefits, the more popular it will become,'' said Barry Case, president of the Richmond region for Legal Resources of Virginia.
Educating consumers and their employers about prepaid legal insurance is a big part of Case's job. Because Legal Resources' plan is more affordable as a group benefit, he first approaches the employers. His sales pitch: Workers will be more productive if they aren't worried about legal hassles.
Case draws a comparison between legal and health insurance when trying to sell employees on the concept.
``Just as you have a doctor for your health needs, a dentist for your dental needs, Legal Resources provides an attorney for legal needs,'' Case said.
Legal Resources' 20,000 state subscribers pay a $14 to $25 monthly fee and can use Legal Resources' services as often as is needed. by CNB