Beacon Hill's Environmental Insurance Blog
By Ivy Riggs, PartnerOne Environmental
When speaking with your clients or carriers, you may have often been reminded that
all applicants have an environmental exposure. These range widely from premises hazards such as indoor air quality and legacy contamination to operational and products pollution exposures. Because many of these risks tend to go unacknowledged and unaddressed until after a loss has occurred, a surprising number of policyholders are self-insuring their environmental risks, albeit unknowingly.
Wastewater treatment plants can be found all over the United States, and are designed to clean used water and sewage so that it can be returned safely to our environment. This wastewater comes from homes, schools, businesses, groundwater runoff, and storm water infiltration, and must be sent through several processes in order to safely remove solid particles, reduce pollutants, and restore oxygen. Treatments involve enormous, complex machines, as well as people to operate this equipment. Holding tanks, drums, and other storage systems are also utilized at these facilities to contain the influent sewage while undergoing the treatment process.
By Gayle Schumacher, PartnerOne Environmental Underwriter
Biosolid and manure applicators must adhere to a number of guidelines in order to meet government regulations for safely handling, transporting, applying, and cleaning up biosolids and similar waste. Properly hauling and applying this waste product is a very specialized industry, which can be affected by the season, surrounding land and water, and previous treatment of the land. It is crucial that these contractors be insured in the event of a claim.
By Dana Lillard, Administrative Assistant - Underwriting Division
Air is something we breathe without thinking. We do it twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for the span of our lives. Along with the air we breathe, we also take in many hazardous chemicals. These chemicals range from Carbon Monoxide and asbestos to Sulfur Oxides. The amount of polluting chemicals depends on where you live and spend your time; some areas such as large cities have higher densities of certain chemicals (chemicals in smog) while other areas that are less populated have...
By Allison McGreal, Assistant Vice President – Underwriting Division
Generally speaking, the Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) form provides coverage for your operations performed away from premises you own, rent, lease, or operate. Many contractors may have reason to store hazardous waste or material on their sites. If Site Pollution is a...
By Jamie Lewis, Account Executive
As you review your book of artisan and trade contractors, it is important to keep in mind the potential pollution exposures that your insureds may have. HVAC contractors, plumbers, electricians, painters, and roofing contractors are just a few examples of clients you may have on the books that would not necessarily be considered an “environmental contractor,” but certainly have pollution exposures as a part of their normal scope of services.
In the past several years, there has been a big push for our society to be more environmentally conscious and businesses to operate in a more sustainable manner. At Beacon Hill, we are pleased to see that people are becoming more aware of the planet and of the consequences of not taking care of the environment. That being said, we understand that there are some obstacles to overcome when making the shift to a more “green” lifestyle, as this change can actually increase environmental/pollution exposures.
Contractors who work with hazardous substances on a regular basis, as well as consultants who assess the effects of contaminants, have always required specialized coverage. As the environmental insurance marketplace has expanded, many of these firms have found that coverage is readily available. The challenge, and the opportunity, is...
By Jamie Lewis, Account Executive
With vacation and travel season already here, it is a critical time to evaluate the property insurance you currently write and check to see if mold coverage is appropriate for your insureds to be carrying. Mold is a growing concern among commercial and residential properties, especially along the coastal regions of the United States...
Severe weather continues to wreak havoc across the country. The southeastern region of the United States has just endured devastating losses from a historic tornado outbreak and cleanup will take months, if not years. Excessive rainfall has caused several waterways, including the Mississippi River, to reach flood stage and thus more homes and businesses will be ruined in the coming weeks. Wildfires are burning in parts of the country due to terrible drought conditions, with smoke and fumes being reported hundreds of miles away. And of course, the 2011 hurricane season starts in less than a month and it is never too early to begin storm preparations. These natural disasters cannot be prevented, and the damage they leave behind can include environmental hazards that must be handled promptly and appropriately.
Posted:
5/18/2011 by
Robye Davidson | with
0 comment(s)
Filed under:
Advice for Agents,
Exposures,
Insurance Market News