Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that was regularly used in housing insulation from the 1940s through the 1970s. It was flame retardant and an inexpensive material to use in home construction. Not only was it used in insulation, but also in other home construction materials including vinyl flooring, plaster, siding material, paint, HVAC ducts and more. Of course, we know what happened later: We learned that prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to lung disease and a whole myriad of other medical conditions including cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
When a home inspection reveals asbestos, environmental contractors are often called in for asbestos remediation. Environmental contractors must have the proper liability insurance to cover asbestos removal exposures.
Asbestos remediation must be handled according to EPA standards. Environmental contractors must ensure they are following guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the handling of asbestos and to avoid any liability exposures. The contractor could be legally liable for any asbestos exposure caused to others during the remediation process.
Liability damages could happen years after the remediation. The problem of addressing liability issues caused by exposure to asbestos is that the associated diseases from asbestos exposure may not show up for years. Asbestos lawsuits could result in substantial awards if the contractor is found to have been negligent in causing injury.
Insurance for asbestos remediation is a necessity for environmental contractors. A general liability policy does not adequately address the needs of asbestos remediation contractors. Because a business liability policy may exclude coverage for asbestos remediation, a specialty environmental liability policy is essential to cover any legal exposure.
Here at C&S Specialty Underwriters, we are specialists in environmental liability insurance products and can provide your clients with a liability package to protect their interests. We have environmental liability insurance solutions. Give us a call and we can go into more detail about the coverage options available. http://csunderwriters.com/
