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The birth of legal expenses insurance can be traced back to the
Le Mans car races. Accidents on the track gave rise to long and complicated
legal disputes against racing drivers and their liability insurers.
In 1917 the principle of "contre assurance" or "insurance against insurance companies"
was born. The first company named D.A.S. (Defense Automobile et Sportive) was then founded
in Le Mans as a mutual which still exists today.
The concept spread rapidly and in 1926 a second LEI provider, also named D.A.S.,
but not related to the French organisation, was established in Geneva. One year
later D.A.S. Belgium was formed and in 1928 the Swiss D.A.S. assisted in
establishing a company in Berlin.
During the mid to late fifties, people increasingly toured Europe, bringing with it the increased
risk of a foreign accident, and when these happened the different languages and legal systems
created a great demand for specialised advice and assistance.
In 1975, the German DAS company, in partnership with Phoenix Assurance
(now a Royal and Sun Alliance company), established the UK DAS Legal Expenses
Insurance Company and in 1989, DAS Munich purchased the Sun Alliance shareholding
in DAS UK.
In 1996, DAS was established in Ireland by the parent company to serve the Irish market. |
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