Recruitment agency insurance

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Professional indemnity insurance for recruitment agencies UK
Professional indemnity insurance for recruitment agencies UK
Professional indemnity insurance for recruitment agencies UK
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What is insurance for recruitment agencies?

Insurance for recruitment agencies and insurance for recruitment consultants is never just a single insurance cover but rather a combination of useful insurance covers designed to protect recruitment professionals from being sued.

As a recruitment agency, it's crucial to have professional indemnity insurance as the first essential cover due to the advisory nature of your work. Additionally, public liability insurance can come in handy if you engage with clients face-to-face or in public areas. Electronic business equipment insurance is also worth considering for repairing or replacing your work gadgets. Finally, commercial legal expenses insurance is useful and included as standard.

How much does recruitment agency insurance cost?

Recruitment agency insurance starts at £7.67 per month, and the cost increases based on the required insurance limits, business size, and claims history.

Self employed professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity

from £7.67 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Self employed professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity

from £8.89 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Self employed professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity

from £9.54 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Self employed professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity

from £20.41 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Self employed professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity

from £22.78 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Commercial legal expenses insurance.
Business legal protect

Cover of £100,000 commercial legal expenses included with your policy subscription.

Protects you and your business against a range of issues not typically covered by professional indemnity or public liability.

IR35 & HMRC investigations

Legal matters concerning your business

Negative PR (£25,000 cover)

Criminal prosecution

Compliance & regulation issues

Unpaid invoices (over £200)

Also includes free telephone advice & help from qualified professionals.

Tax and commercial legal advice

Counselling for you and your staff

Access to a legal template library

Identity theft assistance

Included
Self employed public liability insurance.
Public liability

from +£4.76 per month

Protects your business against claims of causing an accidental injury or property damage to either your clients or a third party.

Up to £2,000,000 cover including products liability

No excess

Expert legal team

A+ specialist insurers

Covers claims against your client caused by your business

Business equipment insurance.
Electronic business equipment

from +£7.00 per month

Pays for repair or replacement if your portable electronic equipment (and accessories) get damaged or lost.

Equipment up to £10,000 cover (£3,500 per item)

Accessories are included (£500 per item)

Hired equipment is covered

Worldwide - your devices are covered anywhere you are

Personal accident insurance.
Business owner protect

from +£10.07 per month

Reimburses your taxable business expenses while you’re recovering from a serious illness or injury.

Up to £2,000 a month

Up to 6 months following the first 30 days of illness

Any tax deductible expenses included

Receive a lump sump payout if you suffer an accident leaving you with partial or total disablement:

£5,000 lump sum

Fast customer service

Quick payout

Answer 4 questions then select the policies and limits you need.
Answer 4 questions then select the policies and limits you need.
What people say
2 March
Extremely impressed

Extremely impressed with the professional and supportive service I received.

Kellie Williams
on Google
16 February
Very efficient

After shopping around for business liability cover, I found suited, I had a few questions and Jana from suited was very efficient...

Chezza
on Trustpilot
14 February
Great!

The website is easy to use and the process is intuitive, clear and easy to follow.

Matt M
on Trustpilot
11 February

I was recommended Suited, because I’d been stalling. Simple to use website, offered clear, concise information and selection...

Mokolada
on Trustpilot
12 December

Really fantastic service by the suited insure team! Always found the insurance side to be a bit confusing but the team took me...

Michael Ryan
on Google
15 September

A simple and flexible service for what I required. Great communication from start to finish.

Matthew Allen
on Google
1 August

I was looking for business insurance this easy to use and very well explained web site made the process simple and painless. Had a quote...

Piers Field
on Trustpilot
In detail

Why do recruitment agents need insurance?

Recommending the wrong candidate

Your client may accuse you of causing them a financial loss by recommending or supplying the wrong person for the job.

Failing your duty

Part of your job is to check the references and background of not just candidates but also companies seeking employees. Either party can sue for failing your duty.

Accusation of being the cause of an injury

While much happens over the phone and video conferencing, final interviews still take place face-to-face. Compensation claims of alleged physical or mental injury are not unheard of.

Saying something wrong

Being sensitive to someone’s circumstances is considered a professional duty. As a recruitment consultant or agency, you deal with people from all walks of life. An innocent joke or comment could quickly end up in an accusation against you.

Professional indemnity insurance for recruitment agencies

Professional indemnity insurance protects recruitment agents from claims of negligence or inadequate advice that could lead to financial losses for your clients. 

As a recruitment consultant, it's crucial to be flexible and supply suitable personnel to fulfil the constantly changing requirements of your clients. Despite your best endeavours, there may be occasions when job placements result in unforeseen outcomes, which can create tension in relationships and possibly even legal disputes over compensation. Furthermore, protecting your reputation can take time and effort.

Professional indemnity insurance is crucial for protecting yourself and your business reputation.

What does professional indemnity insurance for recruitment agencies cover?

To protect themselves from accusations of misconduct regarding their professional advice or work.

Cover includes:

  • Failing your duty of care
  • Acting negligently
  • Giving the wrong advice or recommendation
  • Confidentiality breaches

For example:

  • Supplying an unsuitable candidate could result in a financial claim against you.
  • Missing a crucial detail in a contract or a candidate's background could lead to a costly dispute.
  • A candidate may sue you for damages if you’re deemed at fault for placing them with the wrong company.

What is vicarious liability in professional indemnity?

Professional indemnity insurance always covers your own negligence. And sometimes it can also cover the negligence of the staff you place. This is called vicarious liability.

Your job, as a recruitment consultant or agency is to find the right staff for your clients. When purchasing professional indemnity insurance, you need to consider the extent of your activities.

If, after you have found and placed staff for your client, your contractual obligations are complete, then non-vicarious professional indemnity insurance should be sufficient. 

On the other hand, sometimes a recruitment agency could be supplying temporary staff. For example, you may be providing social workers to a local council to work for particular cases or projects. In certain circumstances, you could be held liable for the negligence of the staff you place. You’re likely to need a professional indemnity with vicarious cover.

Does Suited cover vicarious liability?

Yes, but only if the staff you place is still under your direct control and supervision.

Switching or cancelling professional indemnity insurance for recruitment consultants

If you cancel your professional indemnity policy in the UK, you cannot make any claims against it. 

Therefore, when switching to a new recruitment agency insurance provider, it is important to ensure that your new policy includes coverage for your previous work, referred to as "retroactive cover".

Should I keep professional indemnity insurance if I take a break from recruiting?

It’s wise to keep your professional indemnity if you retire or take a break from recruitment consulting. Claims against professional misconduct can surface months or years after you delivered the work. 

If a past client sues you for damages and you have cancelled your professional indemnity, you will not be covered.

How long you keep your cover in place is up to you; consider the type of consulting you did and the likelihood that a client might bring a claim against you. 

Public liability insurance for recruitment consultants

Public liability insurance shields recruitment consultants from claims of injuries or property damage. It is often a contractual requirement when working for larger clients or local authorities.

When meeting with clients or the public as part of your recruitment process, there is a risk of causing harm or damage to their belongings. Even a small mishap, like spilling coffee on a client's laptop, can lead to significant financial consequences.

To avoid this, consider getting public liability insurance. This insurance covers unexpected incidents such as slips, falls, or accidental damage to someone else's belongings. It protects against third-party claims and can help safeguard your recruitment from potential legal action.

What does recruitment consultant public liability insurance cover?

Having public liability insurance can be very helpful in the event of injury claims and demands for compensation.

Cover includes:

  • Accidental injury or death
  • Accidental property damage

For example:

  • Following a trip in your office, some days later, you may receive a demand for compensation.
  • A visitor to your office may claim their property suffered damage or went missing. If you don’t meet their demand to pay, they might decide to pursue legal action.

Other insurance recruiters buy

Commercial legal expenses

Most commercial legal expenses insurance will protect recruitment agencies against various tax and legal issues you may encounter due to your profession, which are not covered by professional indemnity or public liability.

At Suited, we combined £100,000 of commercial legal expenses insurance with helplines and other tools to better assist recruitment consultants in dealing with these issues. We call this recruitment Legal Protect, and it’s part of your subscription.

Business Legal Protect offers qualified advice and assistance with:

  • Legal and tax matters concerning your recruitment
  • Criminal prosecution
  • Unpaid invoices (over £200)

For example:

  • HMRC investigates your tax affairs
  • You are facing an investigation from a professional body
  • You need legal help chasing a significant unpaid invoice
  • You’re being taken to court for breach of contract

Electronic business equipment insurance

As a recruitment consultant, you likely depend on different gadgets and equipment to carry out your job. If the cost of such equipment is high, it's wise to consider having electronic business equipment insurance

This insurance can help cover the costs of repairing or replacing your work belongings in case they get stolen or accidentally damaged.

Shopping for recruitment consultant insurance

If you're considering Suited for your recruitment agency insurance, it's important to consider the following factors. 

Cheap recruitment consultant insurance

While some providers may offer lower prices, they may not have expertise in your industry or offer excellent after-sales service. At Suited, we provide multiple ways to contact and respond quickly to your needs.

Check the insurer's reputation

When you need insurance the most, it's important that it's there for you. That's why Suited only uses financially stable insurers with a top A+ rating for payout reputation.

Look for run-off and retroactive cover options

Some insurance providers may not offer coverage for past incidents or the option to switch your professional indemnity to a run-off mode. However, at Suited, we offer both.

Watch out for restrictive policy wordings or high excess

While some providers may offer attractive prices, they may limit their coverage. Suited's professional indemnity and public liability policies come with a £0 excess.

In this section
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FAQs

Common questions

What insurance does a recruitment company need?

The insurance needs of a recruitment company will depend on its activities. At a minimum, all recruitment companies will likely benefit from professional indemnity insurance, possibly including vicarious liability cover. Public liability is another must if face-to-face contact with clients, candidates and other members of the public is part of how business is done. Employers’ liability is a legal requirement if you employ people.

What does recruitment agency insurance cover?

There isn’t a product called recruitment agency insurance. As a recruitment agency, you will need several covers to stay protected against risks associated with your business.

Does a recruitment agency need employers' liability insurance if all staff are contractors?

Your business is still likely to need employers' liability insurance if you are treating your contractors as if they were employees. If in doubt, check your legal obligations.

When do recruitment consultants and agencies need business insurance?

As soon as you start business activities, you should have certain insurances in place to protect yourself against the risks of being sued or losing your essential assets.

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