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We compare employers’ liability quotes from leading UK insurers
What Is Employers’ Liability Insurance?
Employers’ liability insurance protects painting and decorating businesses against claims made by employees who suffer injury or illness as a result of their work. It is a legal requirement in the UK for most businesses that employ staff or use labour-only subcontractors.
If a decorator falls from height, suffers solvent exposure, develops respiratory illness or is injured using equipment, employers’ liability insurance covers compensation, legal defence costs and associated expenses.
Is Employers’ Liability Insurance Mandatory?
- Legally required under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
- Mandatory if you employ staff, apprentices, or labour-only subcontractors
- Fines of up to £2,500 per day for non-compliance
- Minimum £5 million cover required by law (most policies offer £10 million)
- Certificates must be available for inspection
Who Needs Employers’ Liability Insurance?
Many painters assume they do not need employers’ liability insurance - often incorrectly. You will usually require cover if you have any control over how someone works for you.
- Limited company painting contractors
- Sole traders employing staff
- Businesses using labour-only subcontractors
- Decorating firms hiring apprentices or trainees
- Companies supplying tools, PPE or materials to workers
What Does Employers’ Liability Insurance Cover?
- Employee injury claims (falls, cuts, strains)
- Occupational illnesses (asthma, dermatitis, solvent exposure)
- Legal defence costs and solicitor fees
- Compensation awards and settlements
- Court attendance and investigation costs
Common Employers’ Liability Claims in Decorating
Painting and decorating involves working at height, using chemicals, and repetitive manual tasks - all of which increase employer exposure.
- Falls from ladders or scaffolding
- Paint fumes causing respiratory illness
- Skin reactions from solvents and coatings
- Back injuries from lifting equipment
- Inadequate PPE or training claims
Insure24 helped us stay compliant and win council decorating contracts. Clear advice and the right level of cover.
Director – Painting Contractor, UKFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Is employers’ liability insurance legally required?
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Does it cover labour-only subcontractors?
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How much cover do painters need?
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Do limited companies need employers’ liability insurance?
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How quickly can cover be arranged?
Related Covers
Employers’-liability pages should connect users to the painter covers that sit alongside staffing, subcontractor and legal-compliance risk. These links keep employment-risk searches focused on related painter insurance pages.