Do I need employers' liability insurance?

In the UK, employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for any business which has any employees, and the minimum level of cover is £5 million. The only exceptions to this rule are if the employee is a family member, or they are based abroad full time, otherwise EL insurance is not optional. Any business without it can be fined £2,500 per day, every day until they have the proper EL insurance policy in place. Furthermore, failure to display your insurance certificate can land you with another fine of £1,000.

How much does employers' liability insurance cost?

The price of your premium will depend on several different factors including: How many employees you have What sort of business you run Your previous insurance claims history Bigger businesses will require more cover, and will therefore pay a higher premium because there is a statistically higher chance of an employee making a claim and the insurer having to pay out.

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Why QuoteSearcher for Employers’ Liability Insurance?

Running a business involves managing people as well as processes, and one of the key times of insurance required for most UK businesses is Employers’ Liability (EL) insurance. In the UK, this cover is a legal requirement if you employ anyone at all, including full-time or part-time staff, temporary workers, volunteers, or unpaid interns.

Employers’ liability insurance may provide cover if an employee makes a claim after becoming injured or ill as a result of their work or working environment. Even where no fault is intended, claims can arise from everyday situations, and the associated legal and compensation costs can be significant. Having appropriate cover in place can help manage the financial impact of employee claims.

At QuoteSearcher, we work with brokers experienced in employers’ liability insurance and how it applies across different industries, from low-risk office environments to more hands-on or hazardous workplaces.

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Employers’ Liability Insurance Policy Features

Depending on the insurer and the nature of your business, employers’ liability insurance may include cover for:

Injury Claims

Cover that could apply if an employee is injured as a result of an accident at work and makes a claim against your business.

Illness Claims

Cover for claims relating to illnesses caused or worsened by working conditions, such as long-term exposure to hazardous substances.

Cover for All Employees

Cover for claims made by any member of staff, including temporary workers, agency staff, apprentices, and those on work experience placements.

Court Attendance Compensation

Some policies include a daily allowance if you are required to attend court as part of a claim.

Who Is Covered by Employers’ Liability Insurance?

Employers’ liability insurance typically applies to a wide range of individuals working for your business, including:

Permanent employees
Temporary and seasonal workers
Casual staff
Labour-only subcontractors
Advisors and consultants
Students on work placements
Volunteers
Marshals and event staff

Many employers also choose to arrange public liability and professional indemnity insurance alongside employers’ liability, depending on how their business operates and the risks involved.

Is Employers’ Liability Insurance Compulsory?

Yes. Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for almost all UK businesses that employ staff. It applies whether you employ one person or fifty.

Failure to hold valid employers’ liability insurance can result in fines of up to £2,500 per day, which can quickly become financially damaging. More importantly, without cover in place, your business may be responsible for meeting any compensation or legal costs arising from an employee claim.

Workplace incidents can range from relatively minor accidents, such as slips or trips, to serious long-term conditions linked to occupational exposure. Regardless of severity, loss of earnings, medical costs, and legal fees may all need to be covered depending on the circumstances.

What Affects the Cost of Employers’ Liability Insurance?

The cost of employers’ liability insurance can vary depending on several factors, including:

The number of people you employ
The type of work your business carries out
Your industry risk profile
Your previous claims history

At QuoteSearcher, we take a straightforward approach. By completing a short form on our site, we connect you with specialist brokers who are experienced in arranging Employers’ Liability Insurance and can outline cover options that reflect how your business operates without you needing to approach multiple insurers yourself.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY INSURANCE

- Do I need employers' liability insurance?
  In the UK, employers’ liability (EL) insurance is a legal requirement for most businesses that employ staff, including full-time, part-time or temporary workers. The minimum statutory cover is £5 million, although higher limits are commonly arranged depending on the nature of the business. Failing to hold valid EL insurance can result in fines of up to £2,500 per day, along with penalties for not displaying your insurance certificate. Brokers can explain how this requirement applies to your business and outline available cover options.
- How much does employers’ liability insurance cost, and can I reduce it?
  Premiums are influenced by several factors, including: Number of employees Type of work carried out Industry risk profile Previous claims history Brokers can explain how these factors are assessed by insurers and how different policy features may influence premiums.
- Can I tailor my employers' liability insurance?
  Employers’ liability insurance can often be arranged with different levels of cover and optional features, depending on the insurer. Brokers can explain what options are available and how policies are structured for different types of businesses.
- Who is covered by employers’ liability insurance?
  Policies typically cover:Permanent employees Temporary, casual, or seasonal staff Labour-only subcontractors Consultants, advisors, and students on work placements Volunteers and event staffBrokers can explain how different roles are treated under a policy and whether they need to be declared.
- What happens if an employee makes a claim?
  If an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work, employers’ liability insurance may cover:Compensation payments Legal expenses Court attendance costsClaims are handled by the insurer in line with the policy terms. Brokers can explain how the claims process works.
- Is employers’ liability insurance compulsory for volunteers or unpaid interns?
  Employers’ liability insurance can extend to unpaid workers, volunteers and interns, depending on the policy. It’s important to confirm who is included when arranging cover.
- Should I consider other types of insurance alongside employers’ liability?
  Many businesses arrange employers’ liability insurance alongside other types of cover, such as:Public liability insurance - covers claims from members of the public Professional indemnity insurance - covers advice or services provided Business interruption insurance - covers loss of income following an insured eventBrokers can explain how these types of cover are often combined.

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