May 2011

Insuring a Property: Site Pollution Liability

As the United States recovers from the economic crisis over the last few years, we are once again seeing growth in the acquisition and transfer of properties. The issues that arise from the sale or purchase of these properties at times can be a Pandora’s Box. The options to either borrow money to finance the purchase of a property, or to use your own money to do so, does not change the driving need in today’s marketplace to have environmental liability insurance in place to protect the investment.

Severe Weather Can Cause Environmental Claims. Is Your Client at Risk?

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.