The financial risks and challenges faced by your business can arrive from a variety of sources, including your own employees. That’s why it’s important to have strong financial cover like employers’ liability insurance that can give you more protection when faced with compensation claims and legal defence costs.
At Horner Blakey, we are leading insurance brokers in London. Our second location in Billericay allows you to be supported by our local insurance brokers in Essex.
If you employ staff in your business, employers’ liability insurance offers financial protection in the event they make a claim due to an injury or illness they believe was a result of the work they do for you. Almost all businesses in the UK are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance, so it is important that you check whether it applies to you.
If your business employs people who are not direct family members you are legally obliged to ensure you have this type of insurance in place. The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 states this requirement and fines of up to £2,500 for every day you do not have the insurance can be issued by the Government.
Injuries in the workplace can happen, even the safest of environments, so it’s important to have insurance cover that can protect you against potential claims. Employees that develop a chronic illness or even a repetitive strain injury from their work could also sue your business, and if they win their claim, the compensation and legal defence costs could be huge, placing your venture into unknown and uncertain territory.
When you have employer’s liability insurance in place, it can give you peace of mind that should a scenario like this occur, you have some financial protection that can minimise its effect on your business. Horner Blakey can help you find the right level of cover for your business and match you with the best insurance provider that can take care of your needs.
Before proceeding with any insurance agreement, always read the full details of your individual policy as terms and conditions will apply.
When you take out employer’s liability insurance it can provide cover for things like:
Most businesses are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance although some may be exempt:
If you are unsure whether you need employers’ liability insurance, Horner Blakey can help you assess the criteria to ensure you remain legally compliant. Even if you are exempt, there are a variety of other insurance options that may be relevant to your business and could improve your ability to deal with unexpected events.
Employers’ Liability Insurance covers the cost of compensation claims if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work. This includes medical expenses, legal fees, lost income and any damages awarded. It also covers legal defence costs if an employee makes a claim of negligence. In the UK, it is a legal requirement for most businesses with staff.
Employers’ Liability Insurance is a policy that protects businesses if an employee suffers a work-related injury or illness. It ensures the employer can meet any compensation costs and legal fees that may arise. Under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, most UK businesses that employ staff must hold at least £5 million of cover.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance, also known as EPLI, protects businesses against claims relating to workplace disputes or employee rights issues. This includes allegations of discrimination, harassment, wrongful dismissal, breach of contract or failure to promote. Unlike Employers’ Liability Insurance, which covers injury or illness, EPLI focuses on employment-related claims and is increasingly important for businesses of all sizes.
Any UK business that employs staff, whether full-time, part-time, casual, temporary or apprentices, is legally required to hold Employers’ Liability Insurance. This applies to most limited companies, partnerships and sole traders who hire workers. The requirement also applies if employees work remotely or carry out low-risk tasks.
Yes, in many cases you do. Volunteers are not employees, but the law can still require insurance to protect them if they are injured while helping your organisation. Charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations often take out this cover to meet their duty of care and reduce the risk of costly compensation claims.
If your business is a limited company with more than one director, you will usually need Employers’ Liability Insurance because directors are classed as employees. If you are a sole director with no other staff, the insurance may not be legally required. However, many choose to have it in place to meet client requirements or to provide extra protection when working on site.
The cost of Employers’ Liability Insurance depends on your industry, number of employees, previous claims and the level of risk involved in your work. Low-risk businesses may pay a few hundred pounds per year, while higher-risk industries such as construction or manufacturing usually pay more. Most insurers offer £10 million of cover as standard, and premiums can be tailored to your business size and activities.
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