Beacon Hill's Environmental Insurance Blog

Financial and Resume Information…Why do Those Pesky Underwriters Need it?

We know that you cringe when you see those follow up emails coming across your desk regarding additional information needed for a carrier’s file. While we understand the extra work and time involved, we also know that our underwriters would not ask if it were not important.

Site Pollution for Wastewater Treatment Plants

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.

Claims Made vs. Occurrence Coverage

On a daily basis agents deal with policy language they must explain to their clients. Understanding this wording is crucial in making sure insureds know exactly what they are getting for the premium they pay. Knowing the differences between how Claims Made and Occurrence policies respond to a loss is an important concept to grasp in order to successfully advise your insureds. Below is a general overview of both forms:

Understanding the Differences Between Sudden & Accidental and Broad Form CPL

By Brett Amick, Assistant Vice President and South Central Manager

The ongoing issues with insureds’ contract requirements force insurance professionals to push the envelope each and every day. Trying to keep up with a client’s needs can take a great deal of effort, and with pollution coverage becoming a very real issue for most business owners and operators, it is important to understand the differences in coverage forms. One major point to focus on is the important difference between Sudden & Accidental and Broad Form Contractors Pollution Liability.

Protecting Farms and Agribusiness Facilities: Site Pollution Insurance

Farms and agri-service facilities face many potential pollution exposures, regardless if they are located in rural or urban locations. Farming facilities of all shapes and sizes should be aware of the potential site risks that may come with the day to day activities from running this type of business. Environmental issues that can arise from these sites include, but are not limited to:

Overcoming Hurdles When Discussing CPL with Your Client

Having trouble responding to challenging questions relating to CPL? We have put together some of the most common disputes pertaining to this coverage, and our suggestions for how to handle them.

Top 5 Things to Pay Attention to in an Environmental Insurance Policy

By Michael Tighe, Assistant Vice President

Insurance agents around the country understand the importance of including environmental liability insurance in their clients’ insurance programs, and many have become successful at identifying the coverages needed by the classes of business they work with most often. In order for these insureds to receive the most appropriate coverage for their operations, they must...

Important Issues for Agents Who Work With Environmental Contractors & Consultants

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...

Changing Carriers on a Renewal Account

Access to the environmental insurance marketplace. Simply put, this is one of the main reasons why agents from around the country work with environmental wholesale brokers to find environmental coverage for their clients.

Why You Should Always Offer Your Client an ERP

There are many reasons that an insured may discontinue a policy: retiring, selling, going out of business, coverage no longer required, etc. This is an important time to examine the policy for claims-made coverage and determine the provisions outlined for offering and obtaining Extended Reporting Period (ERP) options.