Employers' Liability Insurance

Do I need employers’ liability insurance?

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.

What if you have no ‘employees’ – only volunteers?

Volunteers and employees aren't the same thing, but organisations have a responsibility for damage, loss or injury experienced by volunteers but also for any loss, damage or injury caused by negligent acts of volunteers.  Even if a volunteer acts improperly or in an incompetent way, as long as the organisation was directing the activity of the volunteer, it could be held liable.  So, yes you should include volunteers under your Employers’ Liability cover

What is employers’ liability insurance?

Employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees while they are at work.  Your employees may be injured at work or they, or your former employees, may become ill as a result of their work while in your employment.  They might try to claim compensation from you if they believe you are responsible.  The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 ensures that you have at least a minimum level of insurance cover against any such claims.  Employers’ liability insurance will enable you to meet the costs of compensation for your employees’ injuries or illness whether they are caused on or off site.  However, any injuries and illness relating to motor accidents that occur while your employees are working for you may be covered separately by your motor insurance.

Public liability insurance is different. It covers you for claims made against you by members of the public or other businesses, but not for claims by employees. While public liability insurance is generally voluntary, employers’ liability insurance is compulsory. You can be fined if you do not hold a current employers’ liability insurance policy which complies with the law.

For more information;

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse40.pdf