Employers Liability Insurance

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What does Employers Liability insurance do?

Employers Liability Insurance protects you and your business if anything were to happen to one of your employees when at work, or as a direct result of work done for your business.

Who needs Employers Liability insurance?

In any work environment, there is a chance that your employees may be injured, or that they, or your former employees, may become ill as a result of their work while in your employment. As a result of this, your current or past employees might try to claim compensation from you if they believe you are responsible. In this event an Employers Liability Insurance policy will help to meet the costs of the claim for compensation and defense costs.

Over the past decade, the number of claims made by employees against their employers has risen dramatically. There has also been a huge increase in litigation and record-breaking court awards.

Businesses have sustained substantial financial losses from neglecting their responsibilities in respect of the health and safety of their employees while they are at work.

Employers Liability cover is a legal requirement in the UK

Employers Liability Insurance became a legal requirement in 1972 as a direct result of the 1969 Employers Liability Act. Therefore, if any of your employees are normally based in England, Scotland or Wales (including offshore installations or associated structures) you must have Employers’ Liability Insurance. Even if your employees are normally based abroad but spend more than 14 days continuously in Great Britain, or more than seven days on an offshore installation, you will need Employers’ Liability Insurance. The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires you to have at least a minimum level of insurance cover of £5 million, however you should look carefully at the risks and liabilities that your business faces and consider how much cover you need.

You do not need Employers’ Liability Insurance to cover any of your employees who are based abroad, however you should check whether the law in the country where they are based requires you to take out insurance or take any other measures to protect your employees.

Businesses based in Northern Ireland will require Employers Liability Insurance unless exempt. To find out whether this applies to your business, you should read the regulations on the Office of Public Sector Information website which can be found here.

If you are not sure about whether you may be exempt from the requirement to obtain employers liability insurance you may wish to seek legal advice, or contact us here.

Who is an ‘Employee’?

An employee is anybody you have on your premises who is assisting you in your work. They may be on a part-time basis, a full-time employee, students on work experience courses, a self- employed sub-contractor, a person working on a trial basis to see if they are suitable and even voluntary workers. Anyone who is under your instruction at work is employed by you, and technically an employee.

You may be exempted from having employers liability insurance where all your business’ employees are close relatives and the business itself is not incorporated as a limited company. Exemption may also apply to companies where the owner is the sole employee, and owns at least 50% of the company’s issued share capital may well also be exempt.

What cover does an Employers Liability policy provide?

Typically, an Employers Liability Insurance policy will cover you for claims made against you if an employee is killed, injured or contracts an illness or disease whilst working for you in connection with your business.

It also covers you for the legal costs if your case goes to court. Employers Liability (EL) Insurance can also be arranged to pay the compensation to your employee if you lose your case. If something were to happen to a member of your staff, would you be able to afford the legal fees, as well as any compensation that you are made to pay by law?

Why compare Employers Liability insurance with Buckingham Insurance?

Buckingham Insurance has been providing businesses across Derbyshire and South Yorkshire with invaluable, trusted advice and service for almost 40 years. With a heavy investment in staff training and leading technology, together with good old fashioned close relationships with both our Insurer partners and clients, we pride ourselves on competitively priced, quality cover backed up by first rate service.

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