Employment Practices Liability Insurance

With the Department of Labor enforcing more than 180 federal labor and workplace laws, employment practices have always been a hot topic for companies of all sizes. But as legal requirements change, and employees become more aware of their rights, employers are facing increased risks associated with wrongful termination, discrimination, and other employment practices. 

To protect your organization from employment practices claims and costly lawsuits, you must have a comprehensive employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) policy in place.

Since 1994, HCP National has been providing organizations nationwide with EPL insurance, and all other commercial lines of insurance. Get a quote now to help protect your organization against potential claims made by employees.

EPLI Coverage Overview

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) can protect employers from claims relating to:

Employment practices liability insurance provides coverage for legal expenses, damages, settlements, and judgments related to claims made by employees, former employees, and even potential employees. Claims can also be brought by governmental agencies, and even third-parties (i.e. customers).

The scope of an EPL insurance policy may not be just the coverage itself. In some instances, insurers may offer legal, training, and other resources to help prevent potential employee claims from arising in the first place.

The financial impact of an EPL claim can be devastating. Typically, larger businesses will already have a robust EPL policy in place, but smaller businesses aren’t often as prepared.

Get an EPLI quote now from HCP National, a certified WBENC & MBE insurance brokerage.

What Does EPL Insurance Cover?

As a whole, EPL insurance is there to protect businesses from a wide range of potential employment practices liability claims, including but not limited to:

  • Wrongful termination: These claims include termination in violation of federal or state laws or breaches of employment contracts.
  • Discrimination: Concerning any claims of discrimination based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, and other protected classes.
  • Harassment: Harassment claims may include sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and other forms of workplace harassment.
  • Retaliation: This overarching term encompasses claims of retaliation against employees who report discriminatory or illegal practices.
  • Invasion of Privacy: These are claims related to employee monitoring, background checks, and other forms of workplace surveillance.
  • Breach of contract: This refers to any claims relating to breaches of employment agreements, non-compete clauses, confidentiality agreements, or other employment contracts.
  • Wage and hour violations: Wage and hour violations include claims of failure to pay overtime, misclassification of employees, and other violations of federal or state labor laws.

Organizations that Require EPLI Coverage

Every business that relies on employees needs EPLI.

Although large corporations often have these types of policies cemented in place, it is especially critical for businesses that have a large workforce, and therefore higher risks of employment-related claims. Small business owners, arguably, are even more prone to the risk of employment practices liability claims, due to their limited resources and less formal human resources (HR) policies.

Of course, every insurance policy is different, and level of coverage your business needs will depend on a variety of factors:

HCP National can help you find the right EPLI coverage for your organization, at an affordable price.

Why Your Organization Needs EPLI

  • Protect against potential financial losses: An employment practices liability claim can be expensive, with the potential for lawsuits, legal fees, and settlements. EPLI coverage can provide financial protection and resources for legal defense in the event of a claim.
  • Protect against damage to reputation: Employment-related claims can damage a business’s reputation, potentially leading to a loss of clients or customers. Working with the right insurance company will mean access to resources for reputation management and crisis communication.
  • Mitigate the risk of potential EPLI claims: With EPLI coverage and access to experts in the insurance field, businesses can take proactive steps to reduce their risk.
  • Compliance with regulations: Businesses are required to comply with a variety of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. EPLI coverage can help ensure that a business is in compliance with these regulations and offer resources for legal compliance.
  • Protect employees: By having EPLI coverage, companies can offer financial protection and resources for legal defense for their employees in the event of an employment practices liability claim. Thus, EPLI doesn’t just benefit employers, as employees will also trust that their employer takes their well-being seriously.
  • Peace of mind: Ultimately, EPLI coverage can alleviate stress on business owners and their employees. Knowing that they may be covered in the event of a claim means owners can focus on running their business with confidence, and employees can feel more secure in the workplace.

Laws Protecting Employees vs. What EPLI Covers

To ensure a fair workplace, the federal government and individual states have put in place a variety of laws to protect employees from discrimination, harassment, and other forms of harmful or unfair employment practices. These laws include the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and more.

On the other hand, EPL coverage provides protection for employers against potential EPL claims related to employees’ legal rights. As stated, this coverage can provide resources for legal defense, settlements, and other costs associated with employment practices liability claims.

EPLI coverage can also provide protection for employers in the event that an employee files a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. They also investigate claims of discrimination and may bring a lawsuit against an employer on behalf of the employee.

Get a Quote for EPLI

If you’re a business owner looking to protect your company against the vast risks of employment practices liability claims, EPLI is a wise and worthwhile investment.

HCP is one of the largest independent brokerages in the country, led and owned by a certified minority woman. We offer EPLI coverage, as well as all other lines of commercial insurance.

Our experienced team has been helping clients implement the right insurance products for their unique situations since 1994. Contact us and get a no-obligation quote today.

NOTE: THE ABOVE IS A GENERAL DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE MAY WORK. YOUR INSURANCE POLICY, AND ALL ADDENDA, ARE THE ONLY AUTHORITY OF HOW YOUR COVERAGE WORKS. DO NOT RELY ON THIS PAGE AS AN EXPLANATION OF YOUR COVERAGE. HAVE YOUR ATTORNEY REVIEW YOUR ENTIRE POLICY WITH YOU TO DETERMINE WHAT IS AND ISN’T COVERED.

Ready to get started? Request a quote now.

Since 1994 – HCP’s top priority is finding clients the best possible coverage and terms at the lowest possible cost. HCP is a certified diverse (MBE & WBENC) insurance brokerage.