If you have employees, this is the law

Employers liability insurance is a legal requirement for almost every UK business with employees. It covers claims from staff who are injured or become ill as a result of their work. The minimum cover is £5 million — and the penalties for not having it are severe.

Get an employers liability quote Call 0208 909 2899

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Who needs it

Employers liability insurance is compulsory if you have employees

Whether you're a startup with one staff member or an established firm with hundreds, the legal requirement is the same. Here's who it covers:

Small Businesses

Sole traders and partnerships with even one employee must have £5m minimum cover. It protects you and your staff.

Construction & Trades

High-risk work environments demand specialised cover. We source policies that understand site hazards, manual work, and temporary workers.

Healthcare & Social Care

Care homes, nursing agencies, and support services face unique risks. We arrange cover that reflects your duty of care.

Cover explained

What does employers liability insurance cover?

These are the key areas of protection you get with a standard employers liability policy:

Employee Injury Claims

Medical bills, rehabilitation, loss of earnings, and compensation if an employee is injured whilst working.

Occupational Illness

Claims for conditions caused by work—asbestos exposure, repetitive strain, noise-induced hearing loss.

Legal Defence Costs

If an employee takes legal action, we cover your solicitor and barrister fees. Many policies provide this in addition to the liability limit.

HSE Investigation

Health & Safety Executive inspections and enforcement actions. We cover legal representation and remedial work orders.

Temporary Workers

Your cover extends to agency staff and contract workers as if they were your direct employees.

Contractors & Subcontractors

If you hire specialist tradespeople, we can arrange cover that includes liability for their actions on your premises.

Why Forum

Why choose Forum for employers liability insurance?

We've been arranging employers liability policies for 35 years. Here's what our clients value:

Legal Compliance

We ensure your policy meets the legal minimum—£5m cover for employers liability. If you fall below this, you face fines up to £20,000 per day, imprisonment, or both.

Industry-Specific Rating

Your premium reflects your actual risk. Construction, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing all get tailored quotes. We don't use generic rates.

Certificate Management

We handle your insurance documentation. Digital certificates are updated annually and can be shared with clients, partners, and auditors instantly.

Claims Advocacy

If an employee makes a claim, we manage the process. We assess the claim, guide your business through notification, and negotiate on your behalf.

Common questions

Employers liability insurance FAQs

Almost every UK business with employees. The only exceptions are very limited—for instance, sole traders with no employees, or certain not-for-profit organisations. If you have even one member of staff (full-time, part-time, temporary, or agency), you must have employers liability insurance. If you're unsure whether your business qualifies, we'll clarify it for free—just call 0208 909 2899.

The legal minimum is £5 million per claim. Many businesses choose higher limits—£10m, £25m, or even unlimited—depending on their sector and risk profile. We'll review your business and recommend appropriate cover. Some customers and insurance underwriters also require you to have higher limits (even if the legal minimum is £5m), so it's worth checking.

Penalties are severe: fines up to £20,000 per day you operate without cover, prosecution leading to imprisonment, and reputational damage. If an employee is injured and you don't have insurance, you face paying the claim personally—which could bankrupt your business. There is no excuse and no waiver; it is compulsory.

Standard employers liability covers your own employees. If you hire contractors, agency workers, or temporary staff, our policies can be extended to include them. Self-employed contractors working on your premises may also need their own public liability insurance. We review your hiring practices and arrange appropriate cover for both your business and your workforce.

Premiums vary based on your number of employees, sector, revenue, safety record, and claims history. A small office-based business might pay £150–£400 annually, whilst construction or manufacturing could be higher. The best way to get an accurate quote is to use our quote form above or call us on 0208 909 2899. We'll review your specific business and provide a detailed quote tailored to your risk.