![\"As](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/builder-about-to-walk-into-a-big-hole-graphic-shutterstock.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIf you have employees, you\u2019ll usually need employers\u2019 liability (EL) insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It protects your business if someone who works for you gets ill or injured at work. And supports your staff if you owe them compensation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a legal requirement for most UK businesses. And that makes being clued up\u00a0on\u00a0it extremely important.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, EL is something we do<\/em> know all about. In this guide, we\u2019ll explain: <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employers’ liability insurance <\/a>covers your business if an employee (or former employee) claims for injuries and illnesses they\u2019ve suffered because of their work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It pays any compensation awarded to them and covers your legal costs, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s especially important because it\u2019s the only business insurance required by law. <\/strong>It’s also our third most-requested type of cover after professional indemnity insurance<\/a> and public liability<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s safe to say most UK businesses that employ people probably need EL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An ’employee’ doesn’t just mean full-time staff and anyone who carries out work for you can be classed as an employee. Including:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if someone\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0on your payroll, you’re still responsible for\u00a0their health and safety if you direct, supervise, or tell them what to do in any way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the HSE<\/a>,\u00a0you\u2019d\u00a0need\u00a0employers\u2019\u00a0liability insurance for anyone \u2018who you employ under a contract of service or apprenticeship\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a simple rule of thumb: if someone works under your direction, uses your tools, or follows your schedule, they probably need to be covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few exceptions. You might not need employers\u2019 liability insurance if: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re unsure, it\u2019s worth checking what the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says on the matter<\/a>. Or getting some advice from an insurance broker \u2013 like us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you should have employers\u2019 liability insurance but don\u2019t, and a health and safety officer comes knocking, you could be in line for a hefty fine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The HSE can fine you up to \u00a32,500\u00a0each day<\/em>\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0uninsured.\u00a0Plus\u00a0another \u00a31,000 for not\u00a0displaying an insurance certificate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fairness, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll be given a few days\u2019 grace to sort out a policy rather than get fined on the spot. But it\u2019s best not to chance it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n By law, most businesses need at least<\/em> \u00a35 million of cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In practice, most\u00a0insurers offer \u00a310 million as standard.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0because\u00a0employers\u2019 liability\u00a0claims can be\u00a0costly\u00a0\u2013 especially if they involve serious injuries or long-term illness and lots of time off work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even a claim for back problems sustained by sitting for long periods in a non-ergonomic office chair can easily run into \u00a3thousands. And serious accidents and injuries inevitably demand much more… <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost of your employers\u2019 liability will depend on a few different factors. Insurers usually look at things like: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news is your policy usually covers all<\/em> your employees, even as your business grows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll pay the same whether you have one employee or several. And you\u00a0don’t have to tell your insurer every time someone joins or leaves your company. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might have heard that public liability (PL) insurance also<\/em> protects your business from work-related accidents and illnesses. And in a way you\u2019d be right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But PL and EL cover very different types of claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The\u00a0clue\u2019s\u00a0in the name. Employers\u2019 liability covers claims from\u00a0your\u00a0employees<\/strong>. While public liability covers claims from members of\u00a0the public<\/strong>\u00a0(including\u00a0any customers, visitors\u00a0to your office, or\u00a0innocent\u00a0bystanders).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many insurers sell both policies together. And so many businesses choose to have both, so they know they’re covered for all scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Claims don\u2019t have to be big and dramatic. Many come from everyday workplace risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n As soon as an accident like this happens,\u00a0even if\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a\u00a0seemingly minor\u00a0knock or trip,\u00a0you\u00a0must<\/strong>\u00a0log it in your\u00a0accident report book<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0tell\u00a0your broker or\u00a0insurer about it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employee-related illness and injury claims can take a while to surface and the first thing the insurer will check is whether they were notified of the accident at the time (as per the terms of your policy). <\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019ll\u00a0also want to know if your\u00a0employee\u00a0complained\u00a0to you\u00a0about their accident or injury,\u00a0either\u00a0verbally or in writing. These should be flagged up with your insurer\u00a0straightaway to ensure your claim goes through smoothly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can feel daunting if\u00a0an employee (or former employee)\u00a0believes their illness or injury was caused by their work. But you\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0be left dealing with it alone.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s\u00a0what normally happens during EL claims:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Insurers try hard to make sure\u00a0most\u00a0EL\u00a0claims are resolved out of court.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n However,\u00a0unexpected things happen sometimes. If\u00a0your insurer decides\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0not responsible for the\u00a0claim\u00a0but\u00a0your\u00a0employee tries to press it anyway,\u00a0you might have to\u00a0justify\u00a0your position\u00a0in front of a judge.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If that happens, don\u2019t worry. Your insurer still covers your court costs and appoints a lawyer to defend your reputation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever the outcome, you can rely on\u00a0having your insurer\u2019s support\u00a0from\u00a0start\u00a0to finish.\u00a0And if you use a broker,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0also\u00a0have\u00a0an intermediary\u00a0checking in on you and making sure\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0clear on\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0happening at every stage.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employers\u2019 liability is your legal safety net for workplace injury and illnesses. But it doesn\u2019t cover everything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on your business, you might also want: <\/p>\n\n\n\n EPLI and D&O combined form a protective armour that covers employment-related claims against your leadership team and the wider business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, today\u2019s business risks often extend beyond the stock room\u00a0or office ergonomics.\u00a0Where EL leaves off,\u00a0EPLI and D&O\u00a0can shine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you get your policy documents from your insurer or broker, you should stick your employers’ liability certificate in an obvious spot on a suitable wall \u2013 somewhere everyone can see it. That’s because it’s your legal responsibility to have it in a place others can easily read it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you\u00a0don’t\u00a0have a wall, you can store your certificate electronically. Just make sure\u00a0your\u00a0people know how to access it if they want to.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a nutshell, carrying EL ensures peace of mind that your employees are\u00a0looked\u00a0after. And your reputation as a responsible\u00a0employer\u00a0kept\u00a0squeaky clean.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want EL advice straight from the horse’s mouth, the HSE has put together a handy employers’ liability insurance guide<\/a>. It\u2019s everything you need to know about employers’ liability in one document. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also find more\u00a0info on our\u00a0employers’ liability page<\/a> or give us a call on\u00a00345 222 5391<\/strong>.\u00a0We\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0happy to\u00a0answer any\u00a0questions\u00a0you may have.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image used under license from Shutterstock.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you have employees, you\u2019ll usually need employers\u2019 liability (EL) insurance. It protects your business if someone who works for you gets ill or injured at work. And supports your staff if you owe them compensation. It’s a legal requirement for most UK … Continue reading \n
What is employers’ liability insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who needs employers’ liability insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Are there any businesses that don’t need EL?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
What happens if I don’t have EL?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How much employers’ liability cover do I need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How much does employers’ liability <\/strong>insurance cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
How is employers’ liability insurance different from public liability insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are some examples of employers’ liability claims?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
How do employers’ liability claims work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
What if my employers’ liability claim ends up in court?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do I need any other cover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Anything else?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Personnel protection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n