What is Employers Liability Insurance?
Employers liability cover ensures your business can fulfil your legal and financial obligations when employees are harmed due to their work activities. Here are a few common risks that employers liability insurance typically covers:
- Workplace injuries: Injuries or accidents that occur on the job, such as slips, falls, or equipment-related incidents.
- Occupational illnesses: Illnesses or diseases that employees may develop as a result of their work activities, such as respiratory problems, repetitive strain injuries, or exposure to harmful substances.
- Legal expenses: Costs associated with defending against employee claims, including legal fees, court expenses, and settlements or judgements.
- Medical expenses: Medical costs incurred by employees due to work-related injuries or illnesses, such as hospitalisation, doctor visits, medications, or rehabilitation.
- Compensation pay-outs: Awarded to employees for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, or long-term disability resulting from work-related incidents.
Temporary staff and contractors: Temporary workers, subcontractors, or contractors working on behalf of the insured employer. As soon as you become an employer, you should have employers liability insurance in place and cover should be for at least £5 million. You are at risk of being fined £2,500 a day for not being properly insured.
By having employers liability insurance in place, you can both safeguard your business and demonstrate your commitment to the well-being and safety of your workforce.
What's Not Covered?
Public liability
While public liability insurance covers you for any injury or damage to third parties, it doesn’t cover the people you employ. That's why employers liability cover is so important.
Personal accident
Employers liability insurance will not cover you if you’re injured outside of your business activities. You’ll need to take out a personal accident policy to keep money coming in if you are unable to work due to your injuries.
Your property and equipment
You should consider buildings cover and/ or tools and equipment cover. This can cover the cost of repair or replacement should you need to make a claim for loss or damage to your own property and equipment, as a result of your business activities.
Professional indemnity insurance
This cover protects your business against claims from clients for negligence, errors, or omissions in your services or advice. It covers legal costs and compensation payments.