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Employment Practices (EPLI) Insurance  ·  MO  ·  IA  ·  KS  ·  IL

Your Employees Are Your Greatest Asset. Protect Your Business When Claims Arise.

Standard business insurance doesn't cover employment-related lawsuits. EPLI protects your business from claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other workplace disputes.

★★★★★5.0 Rating
|
50+ Carriers
|
MO, KS, IA, IL
|
90+ Reviews
Independent AgencyWe shop multiple carriers
All Employment ClaimsEmployees, applicants & third parties
Legal Defense CoveredAttorney fees, settlements & judgments
Local SupportTwo Missouri offices
Why It Matters

One Employee Lawsuit Can Bankrupt a Small Business

Employment-related lawsuits are one of the fastest-growing risks facing businesses today. An employee, former employee, or even a job applicant can sue your business for wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation — and you don't even have to be in the wrong to face a costly legal battle.

Your general liability policy, BOP, and workers' compensation do not cover employment practice claims. Without EPLI, your business pays every dollar of legal defense, settlements, and judgments out of pocket. For small and mid-sized businesses, a single claim can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Business team meeting
$160K+average cost to defend and settle an employment practices claim
67%of employment lawsuits are decided in favor of the employee
$0covered by standard business insurance for workplace claims

Employment claims can come from any direction — current employees, former employees, even people you didn't hire. EPLI gives your business the financial protection and legal defense it needs to survive a workplace lawsuit.

Get an EPLI Quote →

Could your business survive an employee lawsuit?

Most small businesses don't have EPLI coverage — and one claim is all it takes. Let us review your exposure and close that gap today.

Get a Free Quote →

660-665-1687  ·  660-754-1000

Coverage Options

EPLI Coverage Through Brawner

EPLI covers the legal costs of defending your business against employment-related claims — from initial defense through settlement or judgment.

Wrongful Termination

Covers legal defense, settlements, and judgments when a former employee claims they were fired unfairly, without cause, or in violation of employment laws — even if the termination was justified.

Discrimination Claims

Covers claims alleging discrimination based on age, race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, or any other protected class under federal or state law.

Sexual & Workplace Harassment

Covers lawsuits alleging sexual harassment, hostile work environment, or other forms of workplace harassment — whether the claim involves an employee, supervisor, or third party like a vendor or customer.

Retaliation

Covers claims that an employee was punished — demoted, fired, or mistreated — for reporting misconduct, filing a complaint, participating in an investigation, or exercising a legal right.

Wage & Hour Violations

Covers claims of unpaid overtime, missed breaks, minimum wage violations, misclassification of employees as independent contractors, and other wage-related disputes.

Third-Party Claims

Covers claims of harassment or discrimination made by non-employees — customers, vendors, contractors, or clients — who allege mistreatment by your staff during business interactions.

Failure to Hire or Promote

Covers claims from job applicants who allege they were denied employment — or from current employees who claim they were passed over for promotion — due to discriminatory reasons.

Legal Defense Costs

EPLI covers attorney fees, court costs, expert witness expenses, and settlement or judgment costs — regardless of whether the claim has merit. Defense begins the moment a claim is filed.

Every Workplace Is Different

Let's build your EPLI policy.

We assess your workforce size, industry, HR practices, and risk exposure to find the right coverage.

Talk to an Agent →
Who Needs It

Businesses That Need EPLI Coverage

If your business has employees — even just one — you're exposed to employment practice claims. Here are the businesses most at risk.

Small Businesses (1–50 Employees)

Small businesses are the most vulnerable — they often lack HR departments, employee handbooks, and formal policies. A single wrongful termination claim can cost more than a year's profit.

Restaurants & Hospitality

High turnover, tipped employees, seasonal staff, and customer-facing roles create constant exposure to harassment, wage, and discrimination claims from both employees and customers.

Healthcare & Medical Offices

Medical practices manage diverse teams under high stress. Claims of harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination are common in healthcare environments with strict hierarchies.

Professional Services

Law firms, accounting practices, and consulting firms face claims related to hiring, promotion decisions, performance reviews, and partnership disputes — all covered under EPLI.

Construction & Trades

Construction companies with field crews face unique exposure — workplace culture claims, safety retaliation complaints, and discrimination allegations are increasingly common in the trades.

Nonprofits & Organizations

Nonprofits manage employees, volunteers, and board members — all of whom can file employment-related claims. Limited budgets make EPLI coverage especially critical for nonprofits.

Have employees? You need EPLI.

Employment claims can come from anyone — current staff, former employees, even job applicants. Let us find the right EPLI coverage for your business.

Get a Free Quote →

660-665-1687  ·  660-754-1000

Coverage by State

EPLI Coverage by State

Employment laws vary significantly by state. We help businesses across Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Illinois navigate their state's regulations and find the right EPLI protection.

MO

Missouri

Missouri's employment laws include the Missouri Human Rights Act. We help MO employers get EPLI that covers state-specific discrimination and harassment claims.

Learn More →

IA

Iowa

Iowa's Civil Rights Act provides strong employee protections. We build EPLI policies that cover Iowa employers against claims under both state and federal employment law.

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KS

Kansas

Kansas employers face claims under the Kansas Act Against Discrimination. We ensure your EPLI policy covers the full range of employment practice risks in Kansas.

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IL

Illinois

Illinois has some of the most expansive employment protections in the Midwest, including the Illinois Human Rights Act. We make sure your EPLI matches Illinois requirements.

Learn More →
Simple Process

How to Get EPLI Coverage

Getting the right employment practices protection through Brawner is straightforward. Here's how it works.

01

Tell Us About Your Workforce

Share details about your industry, number of employees, HR practices, employee handbook status, and any past employment claims. We'll assess your risk profile and exposure level.

02

We Shop 50+ Carriers

As an independent agency, we compare EPLI options — standalone policies, BOP endorsements, and management liability packages — from over 50 carriers to find the best fit and rate.

03

Get Covered & Stay Protected

Once you choose your policy, we handle the paperwork. Many EPLI policies include HR resources, training tools, and employee handbook templates to help prevent claims before they happen.

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Insurance Insights & Education

Practical guidance to help you make confident insurance decisions.

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Watch on YouTube →

Have questions about EPLI coverage?

Schedule a Consultation →
Client Reviews

Trusted by Business Owners Across
Missouri, Iowa, Kansas & Illinois

See why businesses trust Brawner Insurance to protect their operations and their people.

★★★★★
5.0
Based on 90+ Google Reviews
Daniel Goodman
★★★★★

"If you're shopping for peace of mind with insurance contact Caitlin Howe at Brawner. Not to mention correctly written policies, surprisingly good rates and excellent customer service."

Alyssa Baker
★★★★★

"Caitlin Howe at Brawner Insurance was very helpful, and made sure everything was done perfectly. She made the process stress and worry free. Best insurance agent hands down I have worked with."

Corey S
★★★★★

"Brawner recently quoted our district insurance. Jacob was professional and easy to work with. The Board of Directors chose VFIS through Brawner for the best and cost efficient coverage."

View All Reviews on Google →
Common Questions

Employment Practices (EPLI) FAQ

What does EPLI cover?

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EPLI covers legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments arising from employment-related claims — including wrongful termination, discrimination (age, race, gender, disability, religion), sexual and workplace harassment, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, failure to hire or promote, and breach of employment contract. Coverage applies to claims from employees, former employees, and job applicants.

Does my general liability or workers' comp cover employment claims?

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No. General liability covers bodily injury and property damage to third parties. Workers' compensation covers workplace injuries and illnesses. Neither covers employment practice claims like wrongful termination, harassment, or discrimination lawsuits. EPLI is a separate, dedicated coverage designed specifically for these risks.

How much does EPLI cost?

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EPLI costs depend on your number of employees, industry, claims history, HR practices, and coverage limits. Small businesses can often add EPLI as an endorsement to their BOP for a relatively low cost. Standalone policies offer broader coverage with higher limits. As an independent agency, we compare options from 50+ carriers to find the best rate for your business.

Can a job applicant sue my business?

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Yes. Job applicants can file claims alleging they were denied employment due to discrimination based on age, race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics. Your exposure to employment claims begins the moment you post a job opening or conduct an interview. EPLI covers these claims from the very start of the hiring process.

Do I need EPLI if I only have a few employees?

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Yes — small businesses are actually the most vulnerable. They typically lack formal HR departments, employee handbooks, and documented policies that larger companies use to defend against claims. A single employment lawsuit can cost $160,000 or more to defend and settle — enough to bankrupt many small businesses. EPLI is one of the most cost-effective protections available.

What's the difference between EPLI and D&O insurance?

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EPLI covers claims from employees, former employees, and job applicants related to employment practices — discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, etc. D&O (Directors and Officers) insurance covers claims against company leadership for management decisions — fiduciary duty breaches, misuse of funds, and reporting errors. Some businesses bundle both into a management liability package for comprehensive protection.

Your team is your business. Protect both.

Don't wait for a lawsuit to discover you're unprotected. Let us build an EPLI policy that shields your business from employment-related claims.

Get a Free EPLI Quote →

660-665-1687  ·  660-754-1000

Visit Us

Our Office Locations

Kirksville, MO

2605 N. Baltimore St., Kirksville, MO 63501

660-665-1687

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Kahoka, MO

465 S. Johnson St., Kahoka, MO 63445

660-754-1000

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