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Fish launches enhanced policy to protect direct payments users
May 6th 2008The increasing popularity of Direct Payments has led Fish Insurance to launch an enhanced policy to better protect service users. Among other benefits the new Independent Living Employment Protection (ILEP) policy provides financial protection against a service user suffering an accident, theft by an employee and for legal bills should someone caring for a user be negligent or take an employment dispute to tribunal.
Fish, the leading disability and independent living insurance specialist, has enhanced its ILEP which is more closely focused on the cover which users employing personal assistants must have by law or for what is considered basic risk protection. For example it is a legal requirement that users purchase employers liability insurance whilst most employers regard as a prudent necessity securing public liability cover. However, despite the fact that the vast majority will have no previous experience as an employer, many do not financially protect themselves against the cost of legal advice or awards made against them following an employment dispute. Nor, in most cases, do they have easy and affordable access to a qualified employment law advisor, which can prove not just invaluable should a dispute arise but can minimise the risk of it arising in the first place.
“Direct Payments are increasingly popular precisely because of the freedom independent living gives service users. But that freedom also brings with it added responsibilities and risks which will be new to the tens of thousands of people now taking advantage of the Direct Payments scheme,” commented Fish’s sales and marketing director, Warren Dickson. “Before long we are likely to see people discovering just what the financial risks are in being an employer and that a standard insurance policy may not cover them.”
To address these issues Fish’s ILEP gives policyholders access to a 24-hour employment law advice line, plus online access to legal stationery. Provided by employment law experts, Peninsula Business Services, the helpline provides advice on a wide range of issues such as dismissal, absenteeism, health and safety regulations, harassment, change of duties and disciplinary matters. Such an easily accessible “safety net” can provide welcome reassurance to those not used to being an employer. What’s more should a dispute reach a tribunal or court, the policy will provide cover for legal defence costs and up to £200,000 to settle any subsequent tribunal award costs whilst the policy is in force.
It also provides protection for other events which might hit a service user hard. For example, cover against the infidelity of your employee - in plain English, theft – or personal accident. The latter will pay out up to £10,000, depending upon your injury.
But which policy is best for you? Fish say that only you, the service user, can decide that. “We do not advise people to take a particular policy but outline the benefits” explains Mr Dickson. “It doesn’t really matter if a service user employs a PA for one day or five, there is still a level of risk and they need to decide for themselves, based on their own circumstances, attitude to risk and peace of mind.”
He adds: “It’s a judgement call only they can make and it can be difficult. People don’t like to think what might happen, be it an accident or a court case, but we feel they should be given the option to protect themselves in case it does happen,” explains Mr. Dickson. “The likelihood of a high profile tribunal or court case affecting a service user is increasing daily as more and more service users assume employer’s responsibilities through the rapid growth of Direct Payments and, now, Personal Budgets. The price of reassurance is certainly not expensive given enhanced cover adds less than a pound a week to the insurance bill.”
| BASIC COVER | FULL COVER | |
| Section 1 | ||
| Employers Liability | Limit £20 million | Limit £20 million |
| Indemnity to Principal |  |
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| Public Liability | |
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| Section 2 | ||
| Personal Accident |  |
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| Personal Accident of Employee | |
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| Errors & Omissions by Employee | |
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| Additional Expenses | |
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| Infidelity of Employee | |
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| Employment Tribunal Costs | |
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| Indemnity to Others | |
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| Section 3 | ||
| Employment Tribunal Legal Defence Fees | |
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| Employment Tribunal Awards and Compensation | |
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| Access to Web Service | |
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| PREMIUM | £76.65* | £134.40* |
All premiums include IPT at the appropriate rate.
