Employers' liability insurance

With decades of experience insuring consultants, contractors and self-employed professionals, you can rely on us for employers’ liability insurance that offers all the protection you need - and at an affordable price. 

What is employers' liability insurance?

As an employer, you are responsible for the health and safety of your employees whilst they are at work. If they suffer an injury or illness due to the work they do for you, they may try to claim compensation. Employers’ liability insurance is there to protect you in these circumstances. The requirement for employers to purchase this type of insurance was introduced under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. This Act ensures that employers have a minimum level of insurance to cover claims for the cost of compensation awarded to employees.

Employers’ liability insurance is different to public liability insurance, which provides financial protection for claims made against you by members of the public or customers.

What does employers' liability insurance cover?

Employers’ liability insurance protects you if an employee sues you as a result of a work-related injury or illness. It covers the legal costs in defending the claim as well as any compensation payments due.

The most common claims tend to be slips, trips and falls. An example would be if an employee tripped over a computer cable or loose floor tile and broke their arm. They are unable to work for several weeks and decide to seek compensation for their injury from you. Apart from slips, trips and falls, other examples of accidents and injuries that can result in employers' liability claims include:

✔ Accidents caused by defective tools or machinery

✔ Manual handling accidents

✔ Repetitive strain injuries

✔ Occupational diseases such as occupational dermatitis or occupational asthma

Why is employers' liability insurance important?

Employers’ liability insurance is essential for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is a legal requirement in the UK for most businesses that employ at least one member of staff to have this type of cover in place. So, unless you are exempt from this requirement, you will be violating the law if you lack this financial protection. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for enforcement and can fine businesses up to £2,500 a day if they don’t take out the necessary cover. It can also fine businesses £1,000 if they fail to display their employers’ liability insurance certificate.

Another reason why this type of insurance is so important is because of the role it can play in protecting your business’ finances from the risk of potentially large compensation claims. Regardless of how careful you are when it comes to safeguarding the wellbeing of your employees, there is always the possibility that someone will be injured or suffer an illness due to the work they do for you. If this happens and the injured party takes legal action, you could find yourself facing significant costs unless you have appropriate insurance in place.

Why choose employers’ liability insurance from Markel?

At Markel, we offer employers’ liability insurance that you can rely on. Here are just some of the reasons to purchase your cover from us:

✔ Excellent value for money

Our policies are designed to provide you with the protection you need at a price you can afford, with premiums starting at just £5 a month*.

✔ Cover you can trust

We are a division of Markel International, a Lloyd’s and London market insurer that wrote gross premium totals of £1.09 billion in 2020.

✔ Get a quote in seconds

Simply fill in our quick and easy online quote form today to get a employers' liability insurance quote that you can tailor to suit your businesses’ individual needs. It takes just 90 seconds.

✔ Sector-specific insurance

We provide insurance cover designed to suit the specific needs of small businesses, contractors, freelancers, charities and community groups.

✔ Positive customer reviews

We currently insure more than 200,000 businesses and are highly rated by our customers on Feefo.com.

* The £5 a month referenced is based on a business with less than five employees and a £10 million limit of cover.

Do I need employers’ liability insurance?

If your business is located in the UK and you have one or more employees, it is very likely that you need employers’ liability insurance. There are a small number of exceptions to this, as outlined below.

Is employers’ liability insurance a legal requirement?

You are legally required to get employers’ liability insurance unless you are exempt from the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. Examples of those who are exempt include: 

• Businesses that employ only their owner (where that employee also owns half or more of the issued share capital of the company)
• Family businesses where all employees are direct family members (excluding family businesses that are incorporated as limited companies)
• Businesses whose only employees are based abroad
• Certain public bodies

If you are not sure if your business is exempt, you can find more in this HSE guide, or you can contact our team for advice.

How much employers’ liability cover do I need?

Most businesses are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance of at least £5 million. However, some businesses opt for more cover than this. Our employers’ liability insurance provides £10 million worth of cover. When deciding how much financial protection you need, you should consider the specific risks and liabilities that your business faces.

How much does employers’ liability insurance cost?

Employers' liability insurance from Markel starts from only £5 per month*, and we give you the option of paying over 10 interest-free monthly instalments. When you buy cover from us, you can rest assured you won’t be hit with any hidden fees. Also, if you want to cancel your policy, you won’t face any cancellation charges.

How can I buy employers' liability insurance?

Simply fill in our quick and easy online form today to get a quote that you can tailor to your individual needs. Receive an online quote in less than two minutes.