Employer's liability insurance
This page has information on the following:
If you choose to employ a personal assistant (PA) to provide your care and support needs, you will be the ‘employer’ and must purchase employers liability insurance.
This is a legal requirement and protects you as the employer, as well as your employee(s).
The insurance provider will assist you with:
- support around employment related issues
- cover against employee accidents at work
What type of cover do I need? Back to top
We recommend that you take out employers liability insurance with additional benefits, such as:
- employment support (including redundancy)
- employment tribunals
- 24 hour helplines for health and safety and other employment matters
We will pay up to £90 towards purchasing your insurance policy (you do not need to use your own funds).
Who can provide the type of cover that I need? Back to top
It's up to you which provider you decide to use, but we have negotiated special rates with three companies for their top cover for direct payment clients. They will give you the additional benefits mentioned above. These companies are:
To contact one of these companies to arrange cover:
Fish Insurance
Fish Insurance video
Mark Bates Insurance
Surewise Insurance
Customers must quote "staffscountycouncil" or visit their website in order to get a 10% discount.
What isn't covered by employer's liability insurance? Back to top
It is always best to check your policy for the levels and detail of cover. Ask your insurance provider what is included if you are not sure. Insurance policies do vary, but employer's liability insurance does not usually include the following items, so you will need to make other arrangements to ensure that you are protected as the employer for these things:
Car insurance during working hours
- Are the right people named on any cars used?
- Is there business cover on any cars used?
Buildings and/or contents insurance
- Are your belongings in your home adequately insured?
- Is the building insured?
These additional costs will need to be purchased privately.
General enquiries
For more information and general enquiries about employing a personal assistant please contact Staffordshire Cares.
Skills for Care
Another useful resource is Skills for Care who provide practical tools and support to help adult social care organisations in England recruit, develop and lead their workforce: