Commercial Insurance

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

EPLI protects employers when current, former, or prospective employees sue over employment-related issues: wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, failure to promote, and similar HR claims. These claims average $125,000+ in defense costs alone.

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What EPLI Insurance Covers

EPLI covers your business for the cost of defending and resolving employment-related lawsuits. Covered claims typically include: wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination (race, age, gender, disability, religion), retaliation, failure to promote, defamation, invasion of privacy, and breach of employment contract. Most EPLI policies have a separate retention (deductible) per claim and aggregate limits.

Who Typically Needs EPLI

Any business with employees — risk increases with headcount
Businesses with high turnover or in litigation-heavy states (CA, NY, NJ, FL)
Employers in industries with documented harassment risk (hospitality, entertainment)
Companies undergoing layoffs, restructuring, or acquisitions
Healthcare, retail, and restaurant operators with diverse hourly workforces

What We Offer

EPLI standalone or as part of management liability bundles
Defense-only and indemnity options
Third-party EPLI extension (covers customer/client claims of harassment by your staff)
HR risk management resources from carriers (template handbooks, hotlines, training)
Combined EPLI + WC programs for full employer-liability protection

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't workers' comp and EPLI cover the same things?

No — workers' comp covers ON-THE-JOB physical injuries. EPLI covers employment-relationship disputes (wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination). A worker who files a comp claim AND alleges retaliation needs both policies — WC for the injury, EPLI for the retaliation defense.

What's the typical EPLI premium for a small business?

Premiums depend heavily on employee count, state, and claims history. A 10-employee office-based business in a low-litigation state might pay $1,500-$3,000/year for $1M limits. A 50-employee restaurant in California could pay $8,000-$15,000+. Loss-control documentation (handbook, training records) often earns credits.

What's third-party EPLI?

Standard EPLI covers claims by employees. Third-party EPLI extends to claims by NON-employees (customers, vendors, patients) alleging harassment or discrimination by your staff. Useful for healthcare, retail, hospitality, and service businesses with public-facing staff.

Do I need EPLI if I have a small workforce?

Smaller employers are sued LESS often but the per-claim cost can hurt more. For employers under 25 staff, EPLI is often $1,500-$3,500/year — well below the $125k+ average defense cost of even a baseless suit. Most brokers consider it essential above 5 employees.