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Insured Advice – FAQs

Why did you send me this letter?

We believe that tailored insured advice could help businesses – especially smaller businesses – feel confident that they are doing everything necessary to comply with the law.

We sent letters to small businesses in the East Midlands, directing them to this website because we want to find out whether they had heard of insured advice and, if not, whether they like the idea. If you’d like more information about how we’re testing whether insured advice is something that small businesses like, please visit the ‘Good Guidance Guide’ page on the BIS website, which gives the background to what we’re doing.

What makes tailored insured advice different from other advice services?

Tailored insured advice commits to covering the legal costs (and, in some cases, awards made against you by an Employment Tribunal) of any legal action taken against you, as long as you have followed the advice. The key difference between insured advice and other available forms of advice is that the advice provider will cover legal costs even if their advice was correct. So businesses get financial security.

What free guidance does the Government provide about health & safety and employment law?

Insured advice is provided by independent companies and you have to pay for it. It provides cover for legal costs if you are taken to an Employment Tribunal or are prosecuted under Health & Safety law, and in some cases it covers awards made against you by an Employment Tribunal – as long as you followed the advice.

The Government offers free guidance to help you comply with the law. This guidance does not offer cover for legal costs:

  • The Health and Safety Executive offers guidance and tools to help your business comply with health & safety law. You can contact the HSE Infoline on 0845 345 0055 or visit the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk.
  • ACAS is an organisation devoted to preventing and resolving employment disputes. It provides impartial advice on employment matters through its Helpline on 08457 57 57 57 or its website, www.acas.org.uk.