Environmental Liability Insurance

Canada’s environmental legislation has changed in recent years, from a traditional approach of nuisance and negligence, to one of absolute burden.

Environmental Liability is designed to protect anyone producing, processing, transporting, storing or otherwise handling potential contaminants. Pollutants aren’t just toxic substances, but can be anything that is not supposed to be in a specific area. Contaminating materials can include many common substances, such as salt and fuel oil, which while not inherently hazardous, can harm plants, livestock or drinking water sources.

At Johnson. Smikle & Associates, we work with you to provide an expert analysis of environmental liability exposure and create pollution coverages specifically tailored to your needs.

The Environmental Liability coverage defines pollution much more broadly than other liability policies. In addition to bodily injury and property damage losses, the Environmental Liability also includes off-site clean-up costs and defense expenses.

It can also include protection against liabilities imposed by powerful new federal and provincial legislation, and can include coverage for shareholders, officers, employees, directors and other members of elected boards. On-site clean-up can also be provided by some carriers.