Scope of Employers Liability Insurance?

[Olly183]

Good evening,

This query comes from the perspective of an employee / contractor.

I'm a sole trader, I haven't (yet) gone Ltd. I work for several clients, most don't tax me at source but one does, In fact this query is mainly to do with the client who does tax me at source, NI & PAYE.

My work for all my clients often requires overseas travel, the work is technical in nature and hands on.

My first Query is:

Q. To what extent does the legal minimum of Employers Liability insurance provide cover for an employee working abroad? I.e. I break a leg during the course of work, would it provide for medical expenses and repatriation? If I was found to be at fault would this affect the employers liability?

Q. If overseas work is a regular part of work for an employee, Is it the responsibility of the employer to make sure adequate insurance is in place? If specific insurance was not in place would there be limitations as to what could be claimed via the Employers Liability Insurance?

Q. To what extent does the nature of my employment have an effect? I.e. I have a 30 day contract due where I will be in South America. The work will be full time working alongside existing full time employees, During which I won't be able to work for anyone else. The contract starts prior to and includes provision for travel to & from south America. The client is a UK based Ltd company.

Q. The client/employer has offered to include me free of charge on there Business Travel policy but They have asked if I have any other travel insurance in place as this could invalidate their policy! I have a family travel insurance policy which has an element of business travel cover, but by no stretch does it cover my type of work. Should I be concerned?

Since this a regular scenario for me I feel I need to inform myself in case of the worst case scenario while working abroad. My current example isn't giving me sleepless nights since the employer has an adequate travel Insurance policy for its employees and has offered to include me on it. I'm more concerned that I should know where I stand with other employers / clients in the future.

Regards

Oliver

[des8]

Re: Scope of Employers Liability Insurance?

You need to ask each company to whom you are contracted what insurance cover they carry.
Generally speaking Employers Liability does not cover self employed independent contractors, although some employers will extend their policies.
As a self employed sole trader you should, for your own protection, be considering your own public liability (& possibly products liability) insurance.
Likewise with travel insurance.

If you intend to rely on those you work for, you need to actually read their policy yourself, or pass it to someone who knows how to read such a policy.
In my experience few business actually know what cover they have, unless they have a qualified insurance professional working with them.
Most rely on buying through an intermediary or directly from a company without knowing what they are getting.

You said: "the employer has an adequate travel Insurance policy for its employees and has offered to include me on it"
Have you actually seen the policy to know it is adequate for you, and has his INSURER agreed to include independent contractors.
If independent contractors are included under companies employee policies the insurers often make it a condition that the employer checks the contractor has their own insurance.

[wales01man]

Re: Scope of Employers Liability Insurance?

I take it that you are on very good pay for this work common sense would tell me in that situation being unsure what insurance cover these companies have for you to take out your own insurance.
Policy or policies that provide the cover you need never rely on someone else if you have any doubts