Pollution Liability Insurance
Protect your business from the financial impact of environmental contamination and pollution claims
What is Pollution Liability Insurance?
Pollution Liability Insurance covers the costs associated with pollution events, including cleanup, remediation, third-party bodily injury, and property damage caused by contamination. Standard general liability and property policies typically exclude pollution-related claims.
Why This Coverage Matters: California has some of the strictest environmental regulations in the nation. The EPA, Cal/EPA, and local agencies aggressively enforce cleanup standards, and businesses can be held liable for contamination even if they didn't cause it.
Cleanup costs alone can reach millions of dollars. Without pollution liability coverage, a single environmental incident could bankrupt a business.
What's Covered
Comprehensive environmental risk protection
Cleanup & Remediation
Covers costs of environmental cleanup, soil remediation, groundwater treatment, and site restoration required by regulatory agencies.
Third-Party Bodily Injury
Coverage for claims from people who become ill or injured due to pollution from your operations or property.
Property Damage
Protection for damage to neighboring properties caused by contamination migrating from your site or operations.
Legal Defense Costs
Covers attorney fees, expert witness costs, and court expenses for defending against pollution-related lawsuits and regulatory actions.
Transportation Pollution
Coverage for pollution events that occur during the transport of hazardous materials, chemicals, or waste products.
Business Interruption
Reimburses lost income when your business must shut down or relocate due to a pollution event on or near your premises.
Who Needs Pollution Liability Insurance?
Essential for any business with environmental exposure:
Manufacturing and industrial operations
Construction and demolition contractors
Gas stations and auto repair shops
Dry cleaners and laundromats
Agricultural operations and farms
Commercial property owners and managers
Common Claim Scenarios
Real situations where pollution liability coverage protects your business
Underground Tank Leak
An underground storage tank leaks fuel into the soil and groundwater, requiring extensive excavation and remediation costing over $500,000.
Chemical Spill During Transport
A truck carrying cleaning chemicals overturns, causing a hazardous spill that closes a highway and contaminates a nearby creek.
Construction Dust & Debris
Demolition work releases asbestos fibers, forcing evacuation of neighboring businesses and requiring professional abatement.
Agricultural Runoff
Pesticide runoff from a farm contaminates a neighboring property's well water, leading to health complaints and a lawsuit.
Related Insurance Products
Protect Your Business From Environmental Risk
Get comprehensive pollution liability coverage tailored to your California business. Our agents understand environmental regulations and will help you find the right protection.