Posts Tagged ‘Products Pollution’

Understanding Your Energy Clients

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

The “energy” category of insurance has a broad definition and these clients often require varying types of coverage. Energy clients range from blending & mixing facilities, oil and gas servicing contractors, and refineries, to more alternative energy risks, such as biodiesel facilities and contractors handling windmills and solar-powered services/equipment.

And, while some of these activities are regional, most companies operating in the energy industry span across the country. Here are some of the environmental coverages they often require:

General Liability/Contractors Pollution Liability
Combined General Liability and Contractors Pollution Liability policy that provides coverage for pollution claims arising from an insured’s covered and completed operations.

Products Pollution
Provides liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties arising out of a manufactured product. This would be especially important for blending/mixing facilities, companies that make solar panels, etc.

Transportation Pollution Liability
Coverage for insureds who need protection for pollution conditions caused by transportation. This coverage can also include loading/unloading should the insured’s cargo create a pollution condition. This would be important for haulers of any placard use, salt water disposal companies, etc.

Excess
Follow form Excess policies provide additional limits, following form over the underlying General Liability, Pollution, and any associated Professional, Employers, and Auto liability.

Although environmental liability insurance is not always required, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is the perfect example of why it is crucial for energy companies to have adequate coverage. This is a great opportunity to contact your energy clients to make sure they have the right insurance program in place. For more information or to discuss a specific energy account, call us at 1-800-596-2156 or email us.

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Coverages for Manufacturing Risks

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Owners and operators of manufacturing facilities face a unique set of exposures stemming from the activities that are part of their daily operations, the premises on which the operations are performed, and handling/distributing the products being manufactured. Here are some of the common coverages required to properly insure a manufacturing facility:

General Liability/Site Pollution
Combined GL and Premises Pollution coverage, which provides coverage for both on-site and off-site clean-up, defense costs, and third party bodily injury and property damage claims.

Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL)
Provides coverage for pollution claims arising from an insured’s covered and completed operations.

Products Pollution
Provides liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties arising out of a manufactured product.

For more information on coverages for manufacturers and claim scenarios relating to them, email us to request this information.

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Understanding Products Pollution Liability

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Most agents are aware of the pollution exposures for their contractor clients and many are becoming familiar with Premises Pollution policies for commercial and industrial facilities. However, Products Pollution for manufacturing risks still appears to be a bit of a mystery.

Products Pollution coverage provides liability coverage for Bodily Injury and Property Damage to third parties arising out of a manufactured product. Pollutant Clean Up may be provided separately or included within the definition of Property Damage. Coverage can be provided by either a stand alone policy or by an endorsement to a CGL form and can be offered with either a Claims Made or Occurrence Trigger, depending upon the market and type of product being insured.

Who Should Buy Products Pollution Coverage?

Basically the market is divided into two camps, one termed “soft products” and the other termed “hard products.” Soft products would encompass blending and manufacturing for industries such as chemical, detergent, petroleum, and fertilizer. Hard products would include manufacturers of drums and barrels, tanks and vessels, pipe, pollution control, and filtration devices. In addition to manufacturers, importers and distributors of either hard or soft products should also consider purchasing this coverage.

Some Examples of Products Pollution Coverage Written by Beacon Hill:

  • A firm that rents out large industrial pumps. They do not manufacture the pumps, but they do repair and refurbish the pumps. Products Pollution coverage was provided by endorsement to their GL policy.
  • A manufacturer of flexible hoses and couplings used in retail gas stations. 
  • An importer/distributor of water filters used to clean ponds and small lakes.
  • A custom blender of specialized lubricants for the petroleum industry.

Is Products Pollution Coverage Easy to Buy?

While not every environmental carrier is willing to offer Products Pollution coverage, there are a number of carriers who will write it. Obtaining a quote is relatively straight forward with a short questionnaire to be completed and supplemented by the applicable ACORD applications.

Is Products Pollution Coverage Expensive?

This is always the last question from an agent—the short answer is no. This type of coverage is relatively inexpensive, with many minimum premiums offered by some carriers dipping below $10,000. Premiums are rated on revenues and the type of products sold.

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