EPLI Insurance
Employment Practices Liability Insurance
Protect your Oregon business from employee claims of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination.
Employment Claims Are the #1 Liability Risk for Oregon Businesses
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) protects your business from the growing risk of employee lawsuits. Oregon has some of the strongest employee protection laws in the nation — and employment claims are expensive to defend even when you win. Insure Pacific helps Oregon businesses of all sizes find EPLI coverage that fits their workforce and budget.
Why Your General Liability Policy Isn't Enough
Standard Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies specifically exclude employment-related claims. This means if an employee sues your business for discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination, your GL policy will not respond — leaving you to pay defense costs and any judgment entirely out of pocket.
The average cost to defend an employment claim in the U.S. — even one you ultimately win — exceeds $75,000 in legal fees alone. Settlements and judgments can reach hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. EPLI is the only coverage designed specifically for this risk.
What EPLI Insurance Covers
EPLI covers a broad range of employment-related claims — both from current employees and former employees.
Wrongful Termination
Claims that an employee was fired without just cause, in violation of an employment contract, or in retaliation for protected activity.
Discrimination
Claims of discrimination based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics under Oregon and federal law.
Sexual Harassment
Claims of quid pro quo harassment (job benefits tied to sexual favors) or hostile work environment harassment. Oregon law applies to all employers, regardless of size.
Retaliation
Claims that an employee was punished for reporting harassment, discrimination, safety violations, or other protected activity (whistleblowing).
Failure to Promote
Claims that an employee was passed over for promotion based on a protected characteristic rather than merit or legitimate business reasons.
Wage & Hour Violations
Some EPLI policies include coverage for wage and hour claims — unpaid overtime, meal break violations, and misclassification of employees as exempt or independent contractors.
Breach of Employment Contract
Claims that the employer violated the terms of a written or implied employment agreement, including promises made in offer letters or employee handbooks.
Third-Party EPLI
Coverage for claims by customers, vendors, or other third parties who allege discrimination or harassment by your employees — critical for customer-facing businesses.
Oregon's Strong Employee Protection Laws
Oregon consistently ranks among the most employee-friendly states in the nation. Oregon employers face a complex web of state and federal employment laws — and the penalties for violations can be severe. EPLI coverage is especially critical for Oregon businesses.
- Oregon prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (since 2007)
- Oregon's Equal Pay Act (2019) — one of the strongest in the nation
- Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) — broader than federal FMLA
- Oregon Workplace Fairness Act — limits NDAs in harassment settlements
- Oregon's ban-the-box law — restricts criminal background check timing
- Oregon paid sick leave law — applies to all employers with 10+ employees
EPLI for Small Businesses: Don't Think You're Exempt
Many small business owners assume EPLI is only for large corporations. In reality, small businesses are frequently targeted — often because they lack formal HR policies, documented performance reviews, and written employment procedures that large companies use to defend against claims.
Under Oregon law, some employment protections apply to businesses with as few as one employee. Federal anti-discrimination laws apply to businesses with 15 or more employees. Any Oregon business with employees faces real EPLI exposure.
EPLI premiums for a small Oregon business with fewer than 25 employees start at approximately $800–$1,500 per year — far less than the cost of defending a single claim.
Why Choose Insure Pacific for EPLI Insurance?
EPLI is not a one-size-fits-all coverage. Policy terms vary significantly between carriers — some exclude wage and hour claims, others limit third-party coverage, and defense-inside vs. defense-outside limits can dramatically affect your out-of-pocket costs in a claim. Our specialists help you understand the differences and find the right policy for your Oregon business.
- Independent agency — we compare multiple EPLI carriers for the best rates
- Commercial insurance specialists serving Oregon businesses since 1935
- Standalone EPLI and packaged solutions (EPLI + D&O + Fiduciary)
- Third-party EPLI coverage for customer-facing businesses
- Wage and hour defense coverage options available
- Annual reviews as your workforce grows and Oregon laws evolve
Get a Free EPLI Insurance Quote
Tell us about your business — number of employees, industry, and any prior employment claims — and we'll find competitive EPLI coverage tailored to your Oregon business.
Get an EPLI QuoteEPLI Insurance FAQ
What is EPLI insurance?
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) protects businesses from claims by employees alleging wrongful employment acts, including discrimination (age, race, gender, disability), sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, failure to promote, and wage and hour violations. EPLI covers your legal defense costs and any settlements or judgments, which can easily reach six or seven figures.
Do small businesses in Oregon need EPLI insurance?
Yes. Employment claims are not limited to large corporations — small businesses are frequently targeted because they often lack formal HR policies and procedures. Oregon has some of the strongest employee protection laws in the country, including expanded protections against discrimination and harassment. Any Oregon business with employees should seriously consider EPLI coverage.
How much does EPLI insurance cost in Oregon?
EPLI insurance in Oregon typically costs $800–$3,000 per year for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Mid-size businesses (25–100 employees) may pay $3,000–$10,000 per year. Cost factors include number of employees, industry, HR practices, prior claims history, and coverage limits.
Does general liability insurance cover employment claims?
No. Standard General Liability (GL) policies specifically exclude employment-related claims. Without a separate EPLI policy, your business would have to pay out-of-pocket for legal defense and any damages from employee lawsuits. The average cost to defend an employment claim — even one you win — can exceed $75,000 in legal fees alone.
Get in Touch
Ready to protect what matters most? Contact us today for a no-obligation insurance review. Our experienced agents are here to help you find the right coverage for your needs.
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