Since 1999 the ABI and insurance industry have operated a voluntary code of practice (ELCOP) to search for historical Employers Liability policy records, in order to help claimants find the insurer of their former employer when seeking to claim compensation for a disease/injury caused at work.

Whilst this facility has enjoyed a degree of success, it is recognised that a more effective tracing solution is required and consequently the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) was set up in April 2010 to establish a central database (ELD) to store the required information from all member insurers.

Timescales

Currently, all EL insurers are invited to join on a voluntary basis and Allianz was one of the first to join, underlining our commitment to ensure that claimants receive the compensation that they are entitled to. In early 2011 it is expected that the FSA will introduce compulsory regulations for all EL insurers in the UK to publish EL data by either becoming a member of a tracing office (such as ELTO) or by publishing their data on their own website.

ELTO’s members will be required to supply policy data to the ELD on all new and renewed EL policies from 1st April 2011. The ELD will be accessible for claimant searches from this date via www.elto.org.uk.

To help improve future searches, additional information such as all subsidiary names and the Employer Reference Number for the policyholder will be required. Members will start to collect this information from brokers from April 2011.

Next steps for you

In order to ensure that a comprehensive database is compiled as quickly as possible, it is up to the industry to work together. This initial communication is to raise awareness of ELTO and its aims. You will be hearing more in the coming months from Allianz and other insurers that you deal with, in respect of the actions that you will need to take to ensure that the ELD works effectively.

Further information

The ELTO has produced an FAQ document and ELTO introduction document for your information and we understand that these documents may also be viewed via the BIBA website.

For those brokers operating bespoke schemes or delegated authority arrangements which include EL cover, specific information and guidance is being produced, which will be shared with you shortly.

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