Home / Statutory documents / Insurance
Employers’ liability insurance
The compulsory policy and certificate for businesses with employees.
This is general information for UK goods-vehicle operators. It is not legal advice. Use the official source on this page, and your operator licence conditions, before you rely on it.
What it is
If you employ people, the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires insurance with an authorised insurer. HSE’s guide HSE40 says you must be insured for at least £5 million. Your insurer issues a certificate. You must display it where employees can read it, or make it available electronically if every employee it covers has reasonable access. There are limited exemptions, which HSE40 explains. The old duty to keep certificates for 40 years was removed in 2008.
Who holds it
The employer holds the current certificate and makes it available to employees. Drivers and yard staff need to be able to find it, not only the accounts office.
At a visit
HSE inspectors can ask to see the certificate. HSE40 explains the fines for having no insurance and for failing to display the certificate or produce it when asked. A traffic commissioner can also treat a failure to insure employees as relevant to repute.