Your employees are central to your business, but employing people also brings responsibilities and potential risks. From Employers' Liability insurance to protection against employment-related claims, we help businesses understand the cover options available and build an insurance programme around the way they work.
Whether you employ one member of staff or run a larger team, people-related risks can arise in almost any business. An employee could suffer an injury or illness connected with their work, or a dispute could arise from an employment decision or workplace issue.
Different insurance policies address different exposures. Employers' Liability insurance is designed to cover an employer's legal liability for employee injury or illness arising out of their employment, while other policies may help with certain employment disputes, legal costs or personal accident events.
The right arrangements depend on your workforce, activities, contracts, workplace and the risks your business faces. We can help you understand the options and how they may fit alongside your wider commercial insurance.
There is no single policy that covers every employment-related risk. These are some of the principal covers businesses may wish to consider.
Employers' Liability insurance protects against the employer's legal liability for injury or illness suffered by employees arising out of their employment, subject to the policy terms. It is a legal requirement for most businesses that employ staff.
Employment Practices Liability insurance may provide cover for certain claims made by employees or applicants arising from alleged employment-related wrongdoing, depending on the policy wording.
Group Personal Accident insurance can provide specified benefits if an insured employee suffers an accident resulting in an injury covered by the policy. Benefits may include agreed payments for accidental death or disablement.
If employees travel for work, business travel insurance may help protect against certain medical emergencies, cancellation, baggage loss and other insured travel risks, depending on the policy.
Where the loss of a key individual could have a significant financial impact, Key Person insurance may help a business manage specified financial consequences following the insured person's death or covered critical illness.
Commercial Legal Expenses insurance may provide access to legal advice and cover for specified legal costs arising from insured disputes. The types of dispute covered and any conditions vary by policy.
In the UK, most employers are legally required to hold Employers' Liability insurance as soon as they become an employer. The minimum level of cover required by law is generally £5 million, although policies commonly provide a higher limit.
There are limited exemptions, and whether someone is classed as an employee can depend on the nature of the working relationship rather than the label used in a contract. If you are unsure whether the requirement applies to your business, take appropriate professional advice.
Employers must also display the certificate of insurance or make it accessible to employees in the manner permitted by the regulations.
Make sure your insurance arrangements reflect your actual workforce and business activities.
People-related risks often sit alongside other commercial exposures. Depending on your business, these additional areas may also need consideration.
Protection against your legal liability for injury to third parties or damage to their property arising from your business activities, subject to the policy.
Cover may be available for certain claims against directors, officers and the company. This is separate from Employers' Liability and Employment Practices Liability.
A cyber incident can affect employee and customer data, business systems and operations. Cyber policies may cover specified incident response costs and liabilities.
If employees work from business premises, consider the buildings, contents, equipment and business interruption exposures associated with those locations.
If employees drive for work, check that vehicles are insured for the correct business use and that driver arrangements are appropriate.
For businesses providing advice, designs or professional services, cover may be relevant for certain claims alleging professional negligence or errors.
With over 40 years of commercial insurance experience, we believe good advice starts with understanding how your business operates. We take time to discuss your workforce, your responsibilities and the cover that may be appropriate as your business changes.
Helpful answers to questions businesses often ask about protecting their employees and meeting employer responsibilities.
Most UK businesses that employ staff are legally required to have Employers' Liability insurance. The law includes limited exemptions. The minimum level of cover required is generally £5 million. Whether a person is an employee for these purposes depends on the working relationship and circumstances.
Employers' Liability insurance is designed to cover an employer's legal liability for compensation and associated costs arising from employee injury or illness caused in the course of their employment, subject to the policy wording, limits, conditions and exclusions.
Employers' Liability relates to an employer's legal liability for injury or illness suffered by employees arising out of their employment. Public Liability relates to legal liability for injury to third parties or damage to their property arising from business activities. They cover different risks.
It depends on the nature of the working relationship and the work being carried out. Some labour-only subcontractors may need to be treated as employees for Employers' Liability purposes, while genuine self-employed contractors may be treated differently. Do not rely solely on the description in an agreement; discuss the arrangements with your broker and seek legal advice if needed.
Employment Practices Liability insurance may cover specified claims arising from alleged employment-related wrongdoing, such as certain allegations of discrimination, harassment or wrongful dismissal. The precise cover, insured persons, exclusions and notification requirements vary by policy.
Employers' Liability is not general personal accident cover. It is concerned with the employer's legal liability for employee injury or illness arising out of their employment. Accidents unrelated to work would not ordinarily fall within that description. Separate personal accident cover may be considered.
Group Personal Accident insurance can provide agreed benefits if an insured employee suffers an accident resulting in an injury covered by the policy. Benefits and eligibility depend on the cover selected and policy terms.
Yes. Changes to employee numbers, occupations, activities, locations and working arrangements can affect your insurance requirements. You should tell your broker or insurer about relevant changes and check whether your cover and declarations need updating.
This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice or a recommendation that any particular policy is suitable. Insurance availability and cover are subject to insurer underwriting acceptance and the policy schedule and wording, including terms, conditions, limits, excesses and exclusions. Employers' Liability requirements can depend on the legal status of workers and the circumstances of the business; limited exemptions apply. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and seek independent legal or HR advice where appropriate.
Tell us about your workforce and the way your business operates. We'll help you explore the insurance options that may be appropriate.
