Employers’ Liability Insurance

£5,000,000 is the minimum legal requirement, although most policies will cover you for £10,000,000.

The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires all employers to have employers’ liability cover. There are some exemptions, such as publicly funded organisations, nationalised industries and certain family/individually owned businesses. Our experts will be able to advise you on the cover you require.

Employers’ liability insurance covers everyone who is defined as an “employee” under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. This definition is wider than you would normally define “employee” as because it will include work experience/interns and volunteers.

The following examples are scenarios that would be covered:

Scenario one: Employee who operates machinery injures themselves because incorrect protective clothing was issued.

Scenario two: Employee whose job involves heavy lifting hurts themselves because they have not received manual handling training.

Scenario three: Employee trips over some carpet that had come loose and breaks their arm. The employer knew about the carpet but it was not repaired.

Yes, no matter how long you employ staff for you must have employers’ liability insurance.

This varies according to the terms of their contract. If they are “labour-only” employees then you need employers’ liability insurance because they are working under your instruction, using your tools and materials. If they are “bonafide” and work under their own direction, using their own tools and materials, you should not need employers’ liability insurance.