Employer's liability

Every day, employees are on the road for their employer. This could be commuting, an employee getting lunch for their colleagues, or even a staff outing. Supreme Court rulings have increasingly tightened employers' liability for employees on the road. Case law has determined that employer liability goes beyond the obligation to provide a safe workplace and safe tools. As part of “good employment practice”, an employer must also adequately protect its employees when they participate in traffic for their work. This applies not only when employees are in cars, but also when they use public transport, bicycles or travel on foot for work.

Risk employers
The law states that an employer must behave as a good employer. A number of principles determine whether an employer complies with this. For example, an employer will have to be careful in the decisions taken. In addition, employees must be able to trust their employer. Another part of being a good employer is that an employer must provide proper insurance. If an employee suffers an accident related to work, it is important that as an employer you have proper and appropriate insurance.

For employers, the Supreme Court rulings entail major financial risks. This is because they run the risk of being held liable for work-related accidents involving employees. Have you not taken out proper insurance? Then, as an employer, you will end up paying for the damages incurred by the employee yourself. In the case of personal injury, the costs can be substantial.

Liability insurance not enough
Often, an accident involving a motor vehicle is not covered by regular business liability insurance (AVB). And accident insurance often reimburses only part of the damage. Therefore, these insurances are often not sufficient to meet the requirements of being a good employer. That is why it is important that you, as an employer, take out Workers' Compensation Insurance. This insurance is also known in the market as the Wegam/Wegas.

With Workers' Compensation Insurance, you have coverage for damages suffered by your employees and yourself due to a traffic or industrial accident during working hours. This makes this insurance an important addition to liability insurance and accident insurance. By taking out this insurance, you prevent a lot of trouble in case of damage and behave as a good employer when it comes to insurance.