What is employers liability and public liability insurance in UK?

[holliejames]

What is employers liability and public liability insurance?
How much does they usually cost?
Are both of them cover all employees?
Do I need to buy per employee?
Thanks!

[boxtops]

Employers and public liability insurance are legal requirements for business and many other organisations - employers liability covers an organisation for injuries etc arising from the neglect of the employer, PL cover is the same but for members of the public. PL doesn't cover employees, people can get PL cover with their own household insurance in case (e.g. ) someone falls down a drain at your house. If you have a business, you need to approach a business insurance company or broker, they'll advise you of the levels you need.

[rockyracoon]

Everyones insurance is different, it depends on the nature if your business, the risk factors involved and how much cover is needed. If you do work for a local govenment you will usually need a minimum of £5m public liability (ours anyway).

[SirOracle]

Just a small correction to what has been said on this topic. Yes Employers Liability Insurance is compulsory if you have any employees. Just as motor insurance is ,if you have a vehicle.
Public Liability Insurance is NOT compulsory.
However anyone running a business would be foolish in the extreme,not to have Public Liability Insurance.
It is often advisable to have both EL and PL policies with the same Insurer,as often it is difficult to decide whether the injured person was an employee or a third party at the time of the accident.For example on a large construction site with numerous sub-contractors.