How much does EPLI cost in 2026?
Published employment practices liability figures by industry, each with its source, plus the levers that actually lower your premium.
Get My EPLI Quote Call 833-776-4671Quick Answer: Small businesses that buy through Insureon pay an average of $257 per month for EPLI, and most pay between about $750 and more than $14,000 per year. Those are published figures for very small employers, not quotes. Employee count is the biggest driver, followed by industry, claims history, and the limit and deductible you choose.
What small businesses pay for EPLI
Nobody publishes EPLI prices by employee count, so we will not print a table of them. What is published comes from Insureon, which reports what its small business customers pay. Most of those customers have fewer than five employees, so read these as figures for very small employers.
| Published figure | Insureon customers |
|---|---|
| Average premium | $257 per month |
| Usual range | About $750 to more than $14,000 per year |
| Pay less than $200 per month | 38% |
| Pay $200 to $400 per month | 33% |
| Average deductible chosen | $10,000 |
Your exact number
Published figures are a starting point. Get the real EPLI premium for your business in about two minutes.
A few quick questions and nothing to upload. We shop it across our markets, and a licensed producer replies within one business day with the number and what drives it.
Source: Insureon, employment practices liability insurance cost page, updated July 13, 2026, drawn from its data on 100,000 small business owners. Insureon says its figures use the median cost of the policies it sells. They are not quotes. A larger employer pays more, because the premium follows headcount. We do not publish price ranges of our own.
What drives your EPLI premium
Number of employees
The primary rating factor. More employees means more exposure and a higher premium.
Industry and turnover
Industries with high turnover and frequent public contact see more employment claims. Insureon lists industry risk and employee turnover among its pricing factors.
Claims history
Prior employment claims or active disputes raise your rate or limit your options.
Limit and deductible
Higher limits cost more and higher deductibles cost less. The average deductible Insureon's customers choose is $10,000.
State and revenue
Some states have more active employment-law climates, and higher revenue signals greater exposure.
HR maturity
A current handbook and documented hiring and termination procedures often earn better pricing.
EPLI cost by industry
Two businesses with the same headcount can pay very different premiums, because some industries face employment claims more often. Insureon publishes an average for four industries:
| Industry | Average per month |
|---|---|
| Nonprofits | $68 |
| Real estate professionals | $149 |
| Healthcare facilities | $315 |
| Professional service firms | $342 |
Source: Insureon, updated July 13, 2026. It does not publish figures for retail, restaurants, or staffing firms, and we will not guess at them.
How to lower your EPLI premium
The biggest savings come from showing carriers you manage employment risk well. Keep a current employee handbook and documented hiring and termination procedures, consider a higher deductible, and bundle EPLI with a business owners policy or directors and officers coverage in a management liability program.
As independent brokers, we also shop wholesale markets that direct-to-consumer sites cannot reach. Remember that general liability excludes employment claims, and physical-injury suits fall under workers compensation, so EPLI is the policy that actually responds. These claims are not rare: the EEOC handled 88,201 new discrimination charges in fiscal year 2025, about the same as the year before.
EPLI cost FAQ
How much does EPLI cost on average?
Insureon reports an average of $257 per month for the small businesses that buy through it, with most paying between about $750 and more than $14,000 per year. Most of its customers have fewer than five employees, so a larger employer should expect to pay more. Your premium depends mainly on employee count, industry, claims history, and the limit and deductible you choose.
How is the EPLI premium calculated?
Employee count is the primary driver, followed by industry, employee turnover, annual revenue, claims history, location, and your chosen limit and deductible. The average deductible Insureon's customers choose is $10,000.
Which industries pay the most for EPLI?
Of the four industries Insureon publishes, professional service firms pay the most at an average of $342 per month, then healthcare facilities at $315, real estate professionals at $149, and nonprofits at $68. It does not publish figures for retail, restaurants, or staffing firms.
How can I lower my EPLI premium?
Maintain a current employee handbook and documented hiring and termination procedures, raise your deductible, and bundle EPLI with a business owners policy or directors and officers coverage. Independent brokers can also place you with wholesale carriers that direct buyers cannot access.
Is EPLI cheaper as an endorsement or a standalone policy?
An endorsement on a business owners policy can be cheaper, but it usually carries low sublimits and narrow terms. A standalone policy or a robust endorsement with adequate limits costs more but provides the protection most employers actually need.
How much EPLI coverage do I need?
No law sets a minimum. Start with what your contracts, lenders, or investors require, then size the limit to your headcount, your industry, and what a claim could cost you to defend. We help match the limit to your employee count and risk.
Get your exact EPLI price
A licensed advisor will shop A-rated carriers and wholesale markets for your real number. No pressure.
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