Christmas Has Arrived Early for Ontario Small and Mid-Sized Businesses!

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 5, 2011) - It won't fit into a stocking or under a tree, but Ontario's small and mid-sized businesses are still getting a great early Christmas gift this year from DAS Canada. All week, DAS is giving the gift of free legal advice. From now until Sunday, Ontario small and mid-sized business owners will be able to get a taste of DAS Canada's Legal Expense Insurance solution by calling the company's legal hotline and receiving free qualified legal advice. Callers will be connected with a lawyer to answer their business-related legal questions, free of charge.

Questions to the Legal hotline can be about anything from employment disputes to unpaid receivables to health and safety closures or any other potential legal headaches that could arise. With the average cost of a lawyer in Ontario running at over $355 per hour, most Ontario businesses will greatly benefit from a means of having affordable access to the legal system.

"Unforeseen challenges can arise at any time, and if you don't know your rights and responsibilities, you could find yourself quickly entangled in a legal nightmare," said Barbara Haynes, CEO of DAS Canada. "For smaller companies for whom retaining a lawyer is out of reach, our policies can make the difference between business success and going under."

To assist Ontario small and mid-sized businesses with their legal matters, DAS Canada has opened up its legal support hotline to business owners throughout the province for a full week, beginning 12:01 am on December 5, 2011 and ending at 11:59 pm on December 11, 2011. Business owners can call 1-877-88-ADVICE (1-877-882-3842) and use the promo code ONTFREE during that period to have access to qualified advice on their legal issues.

The company is also hosting a "business legal nightmares" contest to hear from small and mid-sized business owners about legal challenges they've had to face. Participants can enter for a chance to win $1,000 Staples gift card by visiting www.das.ca/ontariostories and telling their stories.

DASbusiness is designed to protect businesses against the cost of legal disputes, allowing them to focus on their core business while knowing that their legal fees and expenses are covered if and when the need arises. The company's call-center provides policyholders with direct access to legal experts to assist them in determining the best course of action in a given situation.

About DAS Canada

DAS Legal Protection Insurance Company Limited (DAS Canada) is a subsidiary of DAS Group, a global leader in the ten billion dollar legal expense insurance market. DAS Group is based in Germany and is a subsidiary of ERGO, Munich Re's primary insurer in Europe and Asia. DAS Canada is committed to bringing a fresh, modern approach to the marketplace, combining a forward-thinking attitude with almost a century of expertise. A full-service specialist in legal expense insurance, DAS Canada offers access to affordable justice for individuals, groups and small and mid-sized businesses. Policies are currently available in all Canadian Provinces and Territories (license pending in Quebec). For more information, please visit www.das.ca.