Overview — Employment Practices Liability from Preferred Concepts LLC
Preferred Concepts LLC provides access to Mercator Risk Services’ markets for Employment Practices Liability (EPL) — offering coverage options for employment accounts of many types and sizes across the U.S. EPL responds to growing exposures such as sexual harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination in hiring, and other employment-related acts that can generate defense costs, settlements, and judgments.
Why this program
This program gives agents access to specialty EPL capacity and underwriting expertise through Mercator Risk Services. Coverage forms and pricing vary by carrier and account profile, but the program is designed to offer broad coverage at competitive pricing for many small- and medium-sized employers. Preferred Concepts can help place routine EPL risks as well as more challenging or unusual accounts.
Ideal accounts and appetite
- Small to mid-sized employers across many industries — professional services, retail, hospitality, light manufacturing, medical/dental practices, nonprofits and staffing firms.
- Organizations looking for broad EPL coverage and help with risk management and defense coordination.
- Hard-to-place or distressed accounts that have employment-related exposures but may be able to place with specialty markets.
Coverage highlights and advantages
- Coverage for a wide range of employment-related claims including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and related legal defense costs.
- Multiple market options — Various carriers available — that allow you to match attachment points, limits and endorsements to client needs.
- Availability of standard limits appropriate for many small and mid-size organizations, with flexible deductibles and limit structures depending on the carrier and account.
- Underwriting and risk management support from Mercator’s specialty lines resources for defense strategy and loss control.
Hard to Place:
Mercator Risk Services also handles hard-to-place, distressed, and unusual EPL accounts. Tell Preferred Concepts about your client’s situation and they’ll work with Mercator’s underwriting team to provide options and guidance for placement.
Underwriting notes and submission guidance
Underwriting typically focuses on factors such as company size (employees and payroll), claims and litigation history, documented employment practices (handbooks, policies, training), and the nature of the workplace. Premium and terms vary significantly with exposure and class. Agents should be prepared to provide an employment practices application, loss run information, and details on HR policies when submitting a risk.
Territories and availability
This program is available in: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY. Availability and specific carrier appetite can vary by state and account.
Why work with Preferred Concepts LLC on EPL
- Access to Mercator Risk Services’ specialty EPL markets and underwriting expertise through a wholesale broker relationship.
- Experience placing both standard and difficult EPL risks, with guidance on risk management and paperwork to improve placement prospects.
- Multiple carrier options so you can seek competitive terms and limits for your client’s unique exposures.
Example accounts that often fit
- A professional-services firm with 25–150 employees seeking a standalone EPL policy and guidance on HR best practices.
- A small healthcare clinic with a prior employment claim that needs a market willing to evaluate mitigations and current HR procedures.
For more information, call (860) 527-9717 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. You can get additional information on applications and Specialty Lines insurance information on Mercator’s website www.mercatorpro.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this EPL program?
Small- and mid-sized employers across a wide range of industries are the primary targets, including firms in professional services, healthcare practices, retail, hospitality and nonprofits. The program also considers hard-to-place accounts when appropriate underwriting and mitigations are in place.
What underwriting information will I need to submit?
Be ready to provide an employment practices application, current loss runs, employee count or payroll, and documentation of HR policies or training programs. Prior claims and how they were resolved are a key factor in pricing and placement.
Can Preferred Concepts place accounts with prior employment claims or higher exposures?
Yes. Preferred Concepts works with Mercator to handle distressed or unusual accounts. Each submission is evaluated case-by-case and may require additional risk management steps or specific endorsements.
How do I get a quote or start a submission?
Submit the required application and loss runs to your Preferred Concepts wholesale contact; they will route the submission to the appropriate Mercator markets and provide guidance on additional information needed for underwriting.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.