Although you may not realize it, the answer very likely is yes. The majority of general liability, automobile, and property insurance policies do not include coverage for what’s deemed to be a pollution based event. In fact, this is one of the most common causes of coverage litigation between insureds and their insurance provider.
Very often, business owners have a misconception of what pollution entails by defining it traditionally as oil or chemical spills, or industrial air and water pollution. In actuality, insurance providers now define pollution to include mold, Legionnaires’ disease and other biological contaminants, odors, viral releases, asbestos, and lead based paint. As a result, environmental pollution liability affects just about every industry, especially construction, transportation, real estate, healthcare, and hospitality.
The best thing you can do is reach out to your insurance broker today. They can help not only implement safety protocols and training to mitigate the likelihood of a pollution related incidents, but also tailor an insurance policy unique to protect your business.
