As a business owner, you take calculated risks every day in order keep your business thriving. But what about the risks you haven’t considered?

From the moment that you start the pre-employment process until well after the exit interview, you are vulnerable for a lawsuit. As a result, your business should take a hard look at whether it can afford to defend itself against alleged employment liability accusations (i.e. Discrimination, Wrongful Termination, Harassment, Wage/Hour Claims, etc.).

Why Choose EPLI Insurance?

Your staff could be 1 or 500, in today's environment, every business is at risk. Employment practice liability concerns will touch virtually every single business in the U.S. The increase in employment-related lawsuits appearing in the media is just the tip of the iceberg - there are thousands more that you'll never hear about. What do these suits cost? The average suit will cost the average company hundreds of thousands of dollars, internal employee unrest and public relations damage that can take years to undo.

The fact is that the tide of employee-related laws keeps rising and employees are more savvy than ever about pursuing legal action. The Lighthouse Insurance Agency Protection Team can help protect your exposures with EPLI coverage that is uniquely adapted to a volatile marketplace.

Nearly three out of every five employers will be sued by a prospective, current, or former employee while they are in business.  While many suits are groundless, defending against them is costly and time-consuming.

Who Needs Employment Practices Liability Coverage?

Business’s with at least one employee.

New York EPL Insurance policy provides protection from the following: 

• Failure to promote or employ
• Harassment
• Faulty evaluation
• Invasion of privacy
• Discrimination
• Wrongful dismissal
• Misrepresentation
• Employment-related libel, slander, humiliation, defamation or invasion of privacy
• Wrongful deprivation of a career opportunity, wrongful demotion or negligent evaluation
• Unwarranted discipline
• Liable for the acts of others (including other employees and customers)
• Breach of employment contract

What Federal Laws Affect Employment Liability?

• Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Title VII Prohibits discrimination by employers based on color, race, religion, sex or national origin. The law applies to all employers with 15 or more employees.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act - Requires that all employers with 50 or more employees provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year for an employee due to: birth of a child, placement of a child with an employee for foster care or adoption, or the need to care for oneself, a child, spouse or parent with a serious health condition.
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) - The ADEA prohibits employment discrimination against persons aged 40 and older based solely on their age. ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees.
• Civil Rights Act of 1991 - This act amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include additional recoveries for a claimant and also allows a claimant the right to demand a jury trial.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disabilities and also requires an employer to make reasonable accommodations in the workplace for disabled employees. This law currently applies to employers with 15 or more employees.

Many EPLI policies offer useful resources:

• Consultation, HR assistance and other risk management consultative services.
• Coverage for defense costs outside the policy limits (for qualifying risks).
• Third party liability coverage (for qualifying risks).
• Volunteer workers can be added as additional insureds.
• Extended reporting periods may be added.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance Is An Affordable Solution

Fortunately, with employment-based lawsuits on the rise and the economy’s upward climb, Employment Practices Liability Insurance coverage is becoming more affordable. More insurers are beginning to offer EPLI policies with comprehensive coverage to smaller businesses to protect them in tough times. In fact, EPLI is becoming so important to the success of small businesses that it is being offered at more affordable prices and being tailored specifically for those smaller companies. With the average cost of an employment lawsuit exceeding $270,000, the potential return dwarfs the initial cost of EPL coverage. Talk to our Lighthouse Insurance Agency protection team TODAY to learn if this risk transfer option is right for your business 518-688-0200.

Why We're Different

You may think you want the cheapest insurance you can find, but realize you may not be getting everything you bargained for…

While most insurance products are similar in price and function, insurance providers are very different when it comes to structuring a policy that actually covers you.

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all insurance policy when it comes to your business.

We’re your neighbors. The Lighthouse Insurance Agency Protection Team protects businesses and people we know and care about, and that means we always look for ways to protect you better, including carefully choosing the insurance companies we represent to be both affordable and responsive.

Contact us Today and let our protection team advisors help you forge the strongest shield possible to help you protect the things you are working hard to build.