Employer liability insurance and nannies

[henryhsmum]

Hi,

I am employing a nanny on an ad hoc basis to care for my child and nanny is self employed as the hours are irregular. The child has SEN and behaviour can be erratic.

Should I have employer liability insurance in case there was an accident and if so where can I get this?

Check your home contents policy as it may include cover.

Morton Michel provide a policy but if the nanny is self employed doing ad-hoc work, not under a contract, then I would wonder if this insurance is necessary. You don't have that insurance to cover a Plumber who may injure themselves when doing work at your home.

Not sure what it is that you are trying to insure... you say your child has erratic behaviour, not sure that can be insured against. In the event that your child does serious injury to someone caring for them, then do what you feel is right in the individual circumstances.

Look at the wording of your Home Contents insurance policy. It may well give you some cover towards things. Hiscox have in their KeyFacts document the following: "personal liability (up to £5,000,000) and cover for your liability to your domestic employees (up to £10,000,000)." Other insurance providers may have similar wording and it may be sufficient to cover you in the event your child does something to someone. Tricky to know for sure though, so perhaps call your insurance provider and ask them if the "personal liability" section of your policy covers acts by your child/children.

Thanks Nick. I have found out now that my home insurance does cover me. My child does have ADHD and aspergers which is why his behaviour can be erratic although he is rarely physically aggressive

If they are not an employee they won't be covered. Sorry, that sounds really obvious but it's one of the things that SE nannies rarely think of, and it's quite serious because if they have an accident at work they don't get SSP either.