Environmental Liability Insurance

Photo of city with trees and grass. Many businesses are exposed to some form of pollution or contaminant as part of a daily routine, whether it is known ahead of time or not. As a result, environmental liability insurance should be a serious consideration to protect your business from potential risks. At Gallant Risk & Insurance, Inc., our environmental liability department specializes in all forms of coverage and is knowledgeable about claims associated with them, including:

Transportation Pollution Liability (TPL)
Contractor’s pollution
Environmental consultants and contractors
Hazardous waste haulers
Lenders legal liability
Manufacturers product pollution
Products pollution
Professional liability with pollution enhancements
Site-specific pollution legal liability
Storage tank liability

Detailed Coverage

Independent contractors and similar companies can benefit from environmental insurance to cover mandatory cleanup requirements, claims of bodily injury or property damage and other associated legal expenses caused by pollutants or contamination. Pollution or contamination can happen suddenly by accident or it can be a gradual process. Environmental insurance provides protection to businesses if production of hazardous waste emission during business hours occurs, such as the oil business, mold remediation and radon, agribusiness, street and road paving, laboratories, construction, excavation, chemical plants, food processing, painting, landscaping, fuel storage, sewer and waste depositories and asbestos or lead abatement that results in toxic waste. If an accident occurs, this insurance policy can help cover your expenses for cleanup and court fees regarding injuries and damages sustained.

Protecting Your Assets

Many businesses are unknowingly exposed to pollutants and potentially hazardous materials. If you discover that toxic exposure has occurred at your business, it can result in toxic tort claims, such as a property loss and liability arising from damages caused, even in cases when the area was previously found to be contaminant-free. Protect your company and employees from these risks with an environmental liability insurance policy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Environmental Liability Insurance

What are environmental liability insurance basics?

Environmental liability insurance, also known as contractor’s pollution liability insurance or pollution legal liability, covers damage or losses related to the release of pollutants into the environment.

These include:

Property damage
Bodily harm
Defense cost
Business interruptions
Cleanup costs

For mortgage lenders, developers, and real estate agents, an environmental insurance policy protects you against operational and contamination issues like asbestos, mold, and poor indoor air quality.

What are the common exclusions with environmental liability insurance?

Contractor’s pollution liability insurance excludes intentional acts and worker’s compensation, product liability, and employers’ liability.

Other exclusions include:

Known Conditions
Material Change in Use
Contractual liability
When two contractors covered by the same policy sue each other

Are there other types of environmental liability insurance?

Most policies fall under one of three basic categories:

Environmental contractor – covers activities done by remediation contractors
Environmental consultants’ omissions and errors – covers consultants who advise third parties on environmental conditions
Chemical Manufacturers & Distributors – covers firms that manufacture or distribute industrial chemicals or products

Can you add coverage to a pollution liability insurance policy?

Yes. Standards options include:

Business interruption
Non-owned waste disposal sites
Reputational damage
Coverage for fungi/bacteria
Transportation of pollutants as cargo
Products pollution
And many more

Who needs environmental liability insurance?

While some think that their commercial general liability policies will cover environmental liability claims, they don’t, leaving many companies exposed to costly repercussions.

Any business is at risk against environmental pollution claims, regardless of industry or size. Away from businesses dealing with toxic materials, other companies that need environmental liability insurance include:

Schools
Food distributors
Warehouses
Contractors
Medical technology businesses
Fast food restaurants
Etc.

How much does environmental liability insurance cost?

Depending on the type of business you own, the customizability of the policy, and the location of your business, your environmental liability insurance cost might be higher than other businesses. Contact Gallant Risk & Insurance Services to get an accurate price quote.

Where can I purchase environmental liability insurance for my business?

Gallant Risk & Insurance Services is a full-service insurance agency that represents numerous insurance companies. We are committed to regulatory compliance by providing our clients with accurate information on proper insurance coverages, product benefits, and competitive, market-oriented pricing.

Our thorough knowledge of environmental laws, coupled with our in-depth experience in environmental liability claims, will help you manage both your operations and your liabilities.