EPLI Insurance in Massachusetts
EPLI insurance provides specialized coverage for certain liability risks that employing workers presents. The insurance may help protect against a variety of discrimination claims.
The risks span industries and business sizes, EPLI policies are purchased by many different types of businesses. Grocery stores, restaurants, manufacturers, legal offices, plumbers, and almost any other type of business might consider coverage.
An unpaid intern is required to complete work that should be paid
Women throughout a business are commonly paid less than their male colleagues
Supervisors pre judiciously assign lower-level work to minorities
What is EPLI Insurance?
Employing workers presents multiple risks, as employers might be held financially liable if workers are injured or successfully claim discrimination. Workers compensation generally protects Massachusetts employers in the event of employee injury. EPLI insurance can help protect against discrimination and similar claims.
EPLI insurance provides specialized coverage for certain liability risks that employing workers presents. The insurance may help protect against a variety of discrimination claims.
What Massachusetts businesses should carry employment practices liability insurance policies?
Massachusetts businesses generally should consider employment practices liability insurance if they employ workers. Any employee might file a discrimination claim against their employer.
Moreover, businesses might want coverage in place before interviewing their first ever potential employee. Job applicants can lodge many of the same discrimination claims that employees can, and EPLI policies often can protect against applicant-made claims as well as employee-made ones.
Because these risks span industries and business sizes, EPLi policies are purchased by many different types of businesses. Grocery stores, restaurants, manufacturers, legal offices, plumbers, and almost any other type of business might consider coverage.
When coverage is purchased, it’s frequently lumped together with other insurance coverages as part of a commercial package policy. Sometimes more basic business owners policies have this coverage as an option.
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What lawsuits do employment practices liability insurance policies cover?
Employment practices liability insurance insurance policies generally cover lawsuits that arise from how employers treat their employees (hence the insurance’s name). While coverages can vary amongst policies, they might apply to lawsuits arising from situations such as the following:
- An unpaid intern is required to complete work that should be paid
- Women throughout a business are commonly paid less than their male colleagues
- Supervisors pre judiciously assign lower-level work to minorities
- Interviewers ask illegal questions about immigration or pregnancy
- Managers forget to tell employees that background checks will be run
- Older employees are inappropriately forced out because of their age
An insurance agent who specializes in EPLI can review what a particular policy will and won’t cover.
Do employment practices liability insurance policies extend coverage to volunteers?
Some employment practices liability policies terms allow the policies to cover volunteers, much in the same way that policies cover actual employees. Volunteers can allege many of the same discrimination claims that employees can, and nonprofits can similarly be held liable.
For this reason, most nonprofits in Massachusetts ought to consider purchasing an EPLI policy. They should work with a knowledgeable agent to make sure that any chosen policy includes adequate coverage for volunteers.
Are employee discrimination claims covered by general liability insurance?
Although general liability insurance protects against risks that many businesses face, employee discrimination claims normally aren’t one of those risks. An EPLI policy is usually needed to protect against discrimination claims and lawsuits.
Are employee discrimination claims covered by workers compensation?
Workers compensation normally protect against the specific risks of job-related injuries and illnesses, and not employee discrimination claims. Again, an EPLI policy is usually needed to protect against these claims and lawsuits.
How much do the premiums for EPLI policies cost?
The premiums for EPLI policies are based on employment practices, number of employees, past claims history, and many other details. There’s not one amount that businesses pay for their policies, as these details cause premiums to vary.
In most cases, however, EPLI policies are quite affordable. They’re almost certainly less than what a major discrimination claim might cost, especially if it’s a company-wide claim over issues such as women’s pay or a minority’s assigned tasks.
How can businesses get EPLI insurance policies?
For help finding EPLI insurance in Massachusetts, contact the independent insurance agents at Scotti Insurance Agency. Our agents will work closely with you to ensure that your business is well protected against employment-related risks. We can assist with employment practices liability policies, along with workers compensation and other policies.
