<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-WCK3FXN" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" title="gtm-frame"></iframe>Employer's liability insurance FAQs | Trade Direct Insurance
logo
Menu
Need a hand? Get expert support on your cover from a real human
0800 0280 380 or

Employers' Liability insurance FAQs

Questions and answers that relate to employers' liability cover, which is added automatically to your tradesman liability quote if you have employees or trainees.

This information is provided as a guide only, and if you have any doubts or questions, you can give our friendly team a ring on 0800 0280 380.

  • What is the purpose of employers' liability insurance?

    This insurance pays the damages, compensation, and legal costs if one of your employees, or ex-employees, claims compensation for a work-related illness or injury suffered as a result of working for your business.

    Read more about the purpose of employers' insurance

  • What should employers' liability insurance cover?

    It should protect you and your business in the event a past or present employee suing your business for an injury or illness caused by working for you.

    Read more about employers' liability insurance

  • Is employers’ liability insurance a legal requirement?

    Legally, you are required to get employers’ liability insurance as soon as you become an employer. Your policy must cover you for at least £5 million, and come from an authorised insurer.

    Read more about employer's liability as a legal requirement

  • Do I need employers' liability insurance if I am self employed?

    If you have at least one employee, you probably need employers’ liability insurance. The minimum legal requirement is to have cover of £5 million.

    Read more about employers' liability insurance for self-employed people

  • Who does employers' liability cover?

    This covers your business and you (as the employer). It protects you by paying any award for damages, compensation, or legal fees (up to the limit of the policy).

    Read more about what employers' liability insurance covers

  • Is employers' liability insurance compulsory?

    You are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance if you are an employer.

    Read more about whether employers' liability insurance is compulsory

  • Why is employers’ liability insurance important?

    It’s an insurance policy that protects your business should you be sued by a current or former employee for an illness or injury suffered as a result of working for you.

    Read more about the importance of employers' liability insurance

  • When is employers’ liability insurance required?

    Any business that employs someone must have employers’ liability insurance.

    Read more about whether employers' liability insurance is required

  • How does employers' liability work?

    If a claim made against your business by current or former employees is successful, your insurance will pay the damages, compensation, and legal fees (subject to the terms of your policy).

    Read more about what employers' liability insurance covers

  • Employers' liability when working from home

    As an employer, you are legally responsible for the health and safety of all employees. This includes those working from home.

    Read more about employers' liability insurance when working from home

  • Is employers' liability the same as professional indemnity?

    Professional indemnity is not required by law, but it is recommended as the cost of a successful claim can be financially devastating.

    Read more about employers' liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance

  • How much employers' liability do I need?

    You must have cover worth at least £5 million, but many employers’ liability insurance policies provide cover up to £10 million as part of their standard cover.

    Read more about employers' liability cover limits

  • Who is employers' liability cover to protect?

    If your business employs anyone, you must be insured. ‘Employees’ include volunteers, friends, trainees, part-time staff and some sub-contractors.

    Read more about who can get employers' liability insurance

  • Can I get temporary liability insurance?

    For a business hosting a one-off event, temporary cover is a common requirement. However, if your business hosts several events in a year, an annual policy will be more appropriate.

    Read more about temporary employers' liability insurance

  • How much is UK employers' liability insurance?

    A number of factors are considered when calculating your premium, including the type of work you do, business size and claims history.

    Read more about employers' liability insurance costs

  • Is employers’ liability the same as workers’ compensation?

    If an employee gets injured at work or falls ill, they may have to take time off work. In more serious cases, they may need a lot of time off work. It’s possible they may even be unable to return to work at all.

    Read more about employers' liability insurance and workers' compensation

  • Is employers’ liability insurance required by law?

    If you have employees, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. This is governed by The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

    Read more about employers' liability insurance and the law

  • What is ELTO?

    The Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) is an independent organisation set up by the insurance industry to make it easier for employees to trace a former employer, or employer's insurance policy.

    Read more about ELTO 

  • Do I have to provide my Employer Reference Number?

    Providing your Employer Reference Number when you buy an employers’ liability policy is not a legal requirement, but it is a requirement of the Financial Conduct Authority.

    Read more about providing your Employer Reference Number

  • What's the difference between public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance?

    Almost everything! It's a good idea to read about public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance.

    Read more about the difference between public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance

  • Where should an employers’ liability certificate be displayed?

    You may have a digital copy and a hard copy. The printed original could be displayed with other essential documents that must be shown, such as Health and Safety information. A digital version might be stored somewhere employees can access, such as a shared network drive.

    Read more about displaying your certificate

  • Who needs employers’ liability insurance?

    If you employ at least one person, you will need employers’ liability insurance. This includes all types of employees: from part-time and volunteers to trainees.

    Read more about who needs employers' liability insurance

  • What is the difference between employers’ liability insurance and public liability insurance?

    If you’re a tradesperson working in the construction industry, it is essential to have the correct insurance in place. This includes employers’ liability insurance and public liability insurance.

    Read more about the difference between employers’ liability insurance and public liability insurance

  • Is employers’ liability insurance the same as public liability insurance?

    Employers' liability insurance provides your business with protection should an employee successfully claim for an injury or illness suffered as a result of working for your business.

    Read more about employers and public liability insurance

  • Is it a legal requirement to have employers' liability insurance?

    As soon as you employ someone, you are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. You will also need to display your insurance certificate somewhere that is visible to and accessible by employees.

    Read more about the legal requirements of employers' liability insurance

Any more questions?

If you have a question that's not answered here, please ring us on 0800 0280 380.

Get a quote

Full details of our Terms & Conditions, Limits, Excesses and Policy Exclusions can be found in our policy wordings. These guides refer to our Tradesman's Insurance policy. Trade Direct do not offer advice relating to insurance, and you need to ensure that insurance you choose meets your demands and needs.

Popular products

Trade Direct Insurance Services Limited (company number 1580129). Registered office Mill Pool House, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EY. Trade Direct Insurance Services Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), firm registration number 307734. You can check this by visiting the FCA website at www.fca.org.uk/register or by contacting the FCA on 0800 111 6768

© Trade Direct Insurance Services Ltd; All Rights Reserved.