No matter what’s drawn in the plans, make environmental coverage a part of the foundation
Environmental liabilities show no signs of abating, and are expanding for some contractors, as government regulations and consumer awareness of pollutants continue to increase. This situation leaves contractors of all sizes open to costly and complex legal fights, and financially devastating damage awards.
Zurich is helping contractors meet evolving business scenarios by offering innovative environmental insurance coverage supported by a level of technical knowledge few others can match.
We’re willing to look environmental risks right in the eye.
There are few environmental exposures Zurich hasn’t encountered and conquered. That’s because we’ve been in the business of insuring environmental liability since the early 1990s. We’re not afraid of rolling up our sleeves and learning about the risks contractors face, and providing them with the specialized coverages they need.
Contractors that Zurich services include:
- General contractors working on commercial and industrial sites that have to deal with potentially contaminated soils, indoor air quality, and building envelope issues
- Environmental contractors dealing with contaminated sites, asbestos/lead/mold abatement, emergency response, storage tanks, drillers, industrial cleaning/maintenance, and others
- Artisan contractors that are specialists in plumbing, drywall, electrical, masonry, painting, insulation, and more
- Restoration contractors that are specialists in water extraction and drying, as well as rebuilding construction services as a result of damage caused by fire, water, vandalism, earthquakes, storms and other natural disasters
Specialized coverages Zurich offers for these contractors include:
- Contractor’s Pollution Liability Insurance (CPL)
- Environmental Services Package Policy (ESP)
Zurich difference: superior service and financial strength
- Hands-on attention, knowledgeable insights
Zurich is willing to personally meet with companies to review current and emerging risks. Many of our underwriters previously worked as environmental consultants and have specialized scientific and technical backgrounds. So Zurich is comfortable collaborating on the most complicated risks.
- Multi-line capacity, single point of contact
It is often good risk management for a contractor to keep all of their insurance with the same carrier. Zurich can write your environmental insurance coverage from the same office as your general liability, workers’ compensation, automobile, property and more.
- Financial strength
Zurich maintains a strong balance sheet, operational capabilities and well-balanced portfolio. Discover more about Zurich’s financial strength and stability.
Experience shows in the details
A large environmental contractor in New England operates a wide range of services to dozens of municipalities and environmental consulting firms across the region. Its services include: water and wastewater management, construction and operation of water and wastewater treatment systems, preventative maintenance programs, system support and inspection services for dozens of municipalities and environmental consulting firms across the region. An error in this contractor’s work for a municipality or consultant could affect the water supply for millions of people or potentially contaminate regional surface waters.
The company’s revenue base had increased by 25% in recent years, and a new broker was brought on board to take a more comprehensive look at its environmental risks. When Zurich’s underwriter was called in to discuss potential risks, we were providing the contractor with a seasoned professional—someone who had more than 25 years of underwriting, civil engineering, risk management, and environmental consulting knowledge. New insights offered by Zurich led to an enhanced Contractor’s Pollution Liability coverage over the previous policy.
A refreshing approach to service
With nine regional offices spread throughout the United States, a specialty environmental contractor needed a high degree of hands-on attention when it came to managing the potential risks of its asbestos abatement and mold remediation services. Because of the large size and complexity of its potential exposures and broad geographical reach, Zurich determined this contractor required a single primary and dedicated contact to coordinate the program. This customer solutions director would oversee everything on the account from risk engineering to claims, providing the company with a consistency and ease of managing its insurance program.
The company’s CEO found Zurich’s dedicated approach to its coverage needs “refreshing.” Zurich’s capabilities of writing all lines of coverage also made a difference. A comprehensive program was crafted that included workers’ compensation, auto, excess, general liability, surety, railroad protective liability and pollution liability. Zurich’s specialized Contractor’s Pollution Liability provided coverage for third party bodily injury, property damage including clean-up, and mold coverage.