Key points
- EL protects your staff and is legally required in the UK
- PL protects third parties and is usually a contractual must-have
- The same incident can trigger both policies at once
- £10m EL and £2–£5m PL is the practical SME norm
Employers' Liability
Protects staff. Covers injury or illness suffered by employees in the course of their work. Legally required from your first UK employee with a minimum £5m limit.
Public Liability
Protects third parties. Covers injury or property damage suffered by clients, visitors or the public because of your business activity. Not legally required, but usually contractual.
Where they overlap
A visitor injured on-site is a PL claim; an employee injured on the same job is an EL claim. Both policies frequently sit on one combined liability schedule.
Sensible limits
£5m EL is the legal minimum but £10m is now standard. £2m–£5m PL is normal for most SMEs; construction and event sites often need £10m.
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