Employers' Liability Insurance Tracking Guide
Compulsory insurance for all UK employers covering claims from employees who suffer injury or illness at work.
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If you manage subcontractors in these trades, you need to track this document for each of them.
What Are Employers' Liability Insurance?
Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for almost all UK businesses that employ staff. The policy covers the employer's legal liability to pay compensation to employees who suffer injury, illness, or death as a result of their employment. Under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, employers must hold a minimum of £5 million cover (most policies provide £10 million). The certificate of insurance must be displayed or made readily accessible to employees. Employers who fail to hold valid cover face fines of up to £2,500 per day they are uninsured.
Why Employers' Liability Insurance Matter
Employers' liability insurance is one of the few types of insurance that is a legal requirement. Operating without it is a criminal offence, and the financial exposure is enormous — a single serious workplace injury claim in construction can run to millions of pounds. Construction is a high-risk industry where workplace injuries are more common than in other sectors, making adequate cover especially critical. HSE can prosecute employers who fail to hold valid insurance, and employees can bring civil claims directly.
This guide is for informational purposes only. ContractorVault does not provide compliance advice, certify documents, or approve compliance status. Always consult a qualified professional for specific regulatory requirements.
What You Need to Know
Review Frequency
Annual renewal — must be current at all times while employing staff
Related Documents
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Frequently Asked Questions — Employers' Liability Insurance
Who needs employers' liability insurance?
Almost all businesses that employ one or more persons under a contract of service (employment contract) must hold employers' liability insurance. This includes full-time, part-time, temporary, and casual workers. Some limited exemptions apply — sole traders with no employees, family businesses employing only close family members, and certain public bodies.
What is the minimum cover required?
The legal minimum is £5 million, but virtually all standard employers' liability policies provide £10 million as standard. For construction contractors, higher cover may be required by clients or principal contractors as a condition of contract. Check your contractual requirements carefully.
What happens if an employer does not have valid insurance?
Employers without valid employers' liability insurance face fines of up to £2,500 for each day they are uninsured. If an employee is injured and the employer has no insurance, the employer is personally liable for the full cost of the claim — which in serious injury cases can be millions of pounds. HSE conducts checks and can prosecute.
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