What Is Employee Practice Liability Insurance And Why Is It Important?

What Is Employee Practice Liability Insurance And Why Is It Important?
What Is Employee Practice Liability Insurance And Why Is It Important?
Every business in the world needs to protect itself from potential legal claims. One way to do this is by getting employee practice liability insurance (EPLI). In this article, we'll explore what exactly EPLI is and why it's an important investment for businesses of all sizes.

Definition of Employee Practice Liability Insurance

Employee practice liability insurance (EPLI) is insurance that businesses purchase to financially protect themselves from employment-related lawsuits. EPLI policies cover companies for wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and other employment-related allegations brought by employees, ex-employees, or third parties.

While the specifics of EPLI coverage can vary by policy and insurer, most EPLI policies will cover the costs of an employment-related lawsuit, including attorney fees, settlements, and judgments. Some policies may also cover the cost of pre-trial litigation expenses, such as depositions and expert witness fees.

Most small businesses do not have the financial resources to adequately defend themselves against an employment-related lawsuit. An EPLI policy can provide the financial protection that businesses need to defend themselves against these costly lawsuits.

Who Needs Employee Practice Liability Insurance?

If you are an employer, you may be wondering if you need to purchase employee practice liability insurance. This type of insurance protects employers from claims made by employees who allege that they have been harmed by the employer’s negligence.

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase this type of insurance. If you have a large company with many employees, it is more likely that someone will make a claim against you than if you have a small company with only a few employees.

Type of business is an another factor to consider. If you are in a high-risk industry, such as healthcare or law, you are more likely to be sued than if you are in a low-risk industry, such as retail.

Finally, consider the location of your business. If you do business in a state with laws that favor employees, such as California or New York, you are more likely to be sued than if your business is located in a state with laws that favor employers, such as Texas or Florida.

If you decide that employee practice liability insurance is something you need for your business, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a policy. First, make sure the policy covers all types of claims that could be made against your company, including discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination.

Second, choose a policy with adequate coverage limits.

What Does Employee Practice Liability Insurance Cover?

Employee practice liability insurance (EPLI) is a type of professional liability insurance that protects businesses from claims made by employees alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and other employment-related issues.

Coverage of EPLI  can help protect your business in the event of an employee lawsuit. It can pay for your legal defense costs, as well as any damages that may be awarded if you are found liable. EPLI can also help cover the costs of settlements and court judgments.

While EPLI is not required by law, it is a good idea to consider purchasing this type of coverage if you have any employees. If you are sued by an employee, the costs of defending yourself can be significant. Even if you are ultimately found not liable, the legal fees alone can be ruinous.

EPLI coverage is typically offered as an endorsement to a business owner’s policy or a commercial general liability policy. Be sure to read the policy carefully to understand what is covered and what is excluded.

Risks Covered by Employee Practice Liability Insurance

Employee practice liability insurance (EPLI) is a type of insurance that businesses purchase to financially protect themselves from risks associated with their employees. This can include things like wrongful discrimination, termination, and sexual harassment as well.

While all businesses face some risk when it comes to their employees, certain businesses may be more likely to need EPLI coverage. For example, companies that have a high turnover rate or those that are in industries with a lot of regulation may want to consider this type of insurance.

EPLI coverage can help businesses cover the cost of legal fees, settlements, and judgments related to employee lawsuits. It can also help protect a business’s reputation and bottom line from the negative publicity that can come from these types of cases.

While EPLI coverage is not required by law, it is something that businesses should seriously consider if they want to protect themselves from the potentially devastating financial consequences of an employee lawsuit.

How to Obtain Employee Practice Liability Insurance

If your business employs health care professionals, you may be required to carry employee practice liability insurance (EPLI). EPLI protects your business from claims of professional negligence made by patients or their families.

There are a few ways to obtain EPLI coverage:

1. Purchase a stand-alone policy: Stand-alone EPLI policies are available from many commercial insurers. When shopping for a policy, be sure to compare coverages and limits of liability.

2. Add EPLI coverage to your existing general liability policy: Many general liability insurers offer an endorsement that adds EPLI coverage to your existing policy. Check with your insurer to see if this option is available or not.

3. Purchase a policy through a professional liability insurance company: Professional liability insurers specialize in offering coverage for businesses that have higher risks for professional negligence claims. These companies typically offer both stand-alone EPLI policies and endorsements for general liability policies.

Cost of Employee Practice Liability Insurance

Employee practice liability insurance (EPLI) protects your business from lawsuits alleging that your employees have committed wrongful acts in the course of their employment. This type of insurance is also sometimes called Employment Practices Liability Insurance or Professional Employer Liability Insurance.

EPLI can help protect your business from a variety of different types of lawsuits, including:

• Discrimination (age, gender, race, disability, etc.)

• Sexual harassment

• Wrongful termination

• Breach of contract

• Violation of wage and hour laws

The cost of EPLI coverage varies depending on a number of factors, including the size and type of business, the industry, the location, and the amount of coverage you purchase. However, as a general rule, EPLI premiums tend to be relatively low typically just a few hundred dollars per year for small businesses.

Benefits of Having Employee Practice Liability Insurance

Employee practice liability insurance (EPLI) is insurance that businesses can purchase to financially protect themselves from risks arising from employee wrongful acts. EPLI coverage can help a business cover the costs of litigation and settlements arising from employment-related disputes, including wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and more.

EPLI can be an important tool for mitigating risk and protecting the financial health of your business. Here are some of the key benefits of having EPLI coverage:

1. EPLI Can Help Cover The Costs Of Litigation

If your business is sued by an employee for an employment-related issue, EPLI coverage can help cover the costs of litigation, including attorney's fees, court costs, and damages awarded to the employee. This protection can be critical in helping your business avoid a costly financial setback.

2. EPLI Can Help Protect Your Business's Reputation

In today's litigious environment, even frivolous lawsuits can be damaging to your business's reputation. Having EPLI coverage can help protect your business's good name by providing resources to defend against unfounded claims.

3. EPLI Can Help You Attract And Retain Talent

In today's competitive marketplace, attracting and retaining top talent is essential to success. Offering employees the peace of mind that comes with knowing their employer is protected against employment-related risks can help give your business a recruiting edge.

Conclusion

The take away from this blog is that employee practice liability insurance is important for companies to protect themselves from potential lawsuits. This type of coverage can help pay for legal expenses and damages that may be awarded if an employee is found to have acted negligently. While the cost of this insurance can be high, it is worth the investment to protect your business from potential financial ruin.