Free · Validity guide · England, Scotland & Wales
How long is an employers’ liability insurance certificate valid?
As long as the policy
An employers’ liability certificate is valid for the policy period shown on it, commonly 12 months. Most employers in Great Britain must hold at least £5 million of cover from their first employee, display the current certificate where staff can read it, and renew before the end date.
Work out your EL insurance expiry date
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The “date of commencement” on your certificate.
Your insurer sets the period. It is on the certificate and policy schedule. Twelve months is a common policy term; choose the length of yours.
Enter a date to see when it expires, how many days are left, when to book the renewal, and to add reminders to your calendar.
Who needs an EL insurance
Employers in England, Scotland and Wales, from the day they first employ someone. Exemptions include most public bodies, businesses that employ only close family members (unless incorporated as a limited company), companies whose only employee is the owner with 50% or more of the shares, and staff based outside England, Scotland and Wales.
What happens if it expires
- Every day without valid cover can bring a fine of up to £2,500. HSE enforces the law and inspectors can ask to see your certificate.
- Failing to display the certificate, or refusing to show it to an HSE inspector, can bring a fine of up to £1,000.
- HSE warns that employers without the necessary insurance details risk having to meet the cost of employee claims themselves.
How to renew
Diarise the end date
Take it from the certificate. Set reminders well before it, not on the day.
Update your insurer or broker
Tell them about changes in headcount, payroll, activities or sites, so the renewed policy matches the business.
Confirm the level of cover
At least £5 million. HSE notes the minimum includes costs, so you may want more.
Get the new certificate
The insurer must issue it within 30 days of the renewal date. Chase it if it has not arrived.
Display it where staff can read it
On the wall at each place of business, or electronically, as long as every employee knows where it is and can reach it.
File the old one
Keep old certificates. It is no longer a legal requirement, but HSE strongly advises it because some diseases appear decades later.
When to book
4
weeks
Start the renewal about a month before the end date, so there is time to compare quotes and receive the new certificate. This is our suggestion, not a legal rule.
A simple reminder plan: 60 days, 30 days, 7 days before the expiry date. The calculator above puts these in your calendar.
Evidence to keep
- The current certificate, displayed on paper or online.
- Every previous certificate and policy schedule, as HSE strongly advises.
- The insurer’s name and policy number for each year.
- Where and how the certificate is displayed to staff.
Common mistakes
- Throwing away old certificates. Claims for long-latency diseases can arrive decades later.
- Leaving last year’s certificate on the wall after renewal.
- Assuming a family business is exempt when it is a limited company.
- Posting the certificate on an intranet some staff cannot reach.
- Letting the policy lapse during a change of insurer.
When you would rather not remember
What this looks like when it runs itself
Add the date once and give it an owner. ExpiryEdge reminds them before it lapses, on the channel they actually read, and keeps the certificate and a record of who did what.
Try it with your own dates, free for 14 days, no cardExpiryEdge · Tracked item
Employers’ liability policy · Annual renewal
ValidOwner
Office manager
Expires
1 year after issue
Reminders before expiry
60d
30d
7d
Due
EL insurance questions, answered
For the policy period shown on it. Your insurer must issue a new certificate within 30 days each time the policy starts or renews. The period is set by your policy, so check the dates on the certificate.
Not by law since 1 October 2008, when the 40-year retention rule was removed. HSE still strongly advises keeping a complete record, because some diseases appear decades after exposure.
Yes. Since 1 October 2008 you can display it electronically, as long as each employee it covers has reasonable access to it and knows where to find it.
Not if everyone you employ is a close family member, unless your business is a limited company. The family exemption does not apply to incorporated businesses.
Not if the only employee is the owner and they own 50% or more of the issued share capital. Once you employ anyone else, you need cover.
Up to £2,500 for every day you are not properly insured, and up to £1,000 for not displaying the certificate.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these official sources.
1.
Employers’ liability insuranceGOV.UK · gov.uk · checked 28 Sep 2026
2.
Employers’ liability (compulsory insurance) act 1969: a brief guide for employers (HSE40)HSE · hse.gov.uk · checked 28 Sep 2026
3.
The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1998, regulation 4 (issue of certificates)legislation.gov.uk · checked 28 Sep 2026
4.
The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations 2008legislation.gov.uk · checked 28 Sep 2026
Guidance, not legal advice. This covers England, Scotland & Wales and reflects the sources as checked on 28 Sep 2026. Check the official source or take professional advice for your situation.