Small to medium-sized contractors may not always recognize the environmental risks inherent in their projects, but pollution can occur even in seemingly low-risk activities, such as street resurfacing or road repairs. While utility contractors working on oil and gas pipelines are typically aware of their pollution exposure, those working on more surface-level projects might underestimate their potential environmental impact.
Dennis Willette, Head of Environmental Liability at Westfield Specialty Insurance, emphasizes that pollution risks can arise unexpectedly. For example, contractors who may only be removing surface pavement and regrading roads could still unknowingly cause environmental damage. As Willette points out, “We’ve seen firsthand that this is where things can go wrong.”
This underestimation of exposure can lead to inadequate insurance coverage. Many smaller contractors have limited pollution coverage under their general liability policies, and this gap leaves them vulnerable to costly environmental claims. Willette notes that “a significant number of small contractors are underinsured in this area.”
Contractors can mitigate these risks by working with an insurance carrier that understands the complexities of environmental exposures and provides tailored coverage solutions. An experienced insurer can help contractors assess potential risks, implement mitigation strategies, and ensure they have sufficient coverage to handle unforeseen environmental liabilities.
Westfield Specialty Insurance offers a customer-centric approach, leveraging deep expertise in environmental risks to create comprehensive policies that protect contractors from the unpredictable nature of their work.
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