Contractors’ Pollution Liability

Nuts & Bolts: Victor O. Schinnerer & Co.’s contractors program recently released new 2004 editions of its three policy forms: a stand-alone professional liability policy, a stand-alone pollution incident policy, and a combined professional and pollution liability form. The changes are designed to allow for greater coverage consistency within Schinnerer’s program. It also is designed to allow its contractors coverage to better complement CGL coverage written on the ISO form. Schinnerer has clarified policy language, in response to feedback from Schinnerer’s brokers. Some of the revisions resulted in broader coverage in certain areas. For example, the combined form now offers protection for a pollution incident resulting from the loading or unloading of an owned auto. The combined policy also covers asbestos abatement claims made after January 1990.

Dollars: Professional liability limits for general contractors range from $1 million to $25 million. Minimum SIR is $10,000; minimum premium is $7,500. Professional liability limits for specialty contractors (mechanical, electrical, etc.) range from $1 million to $25 million. Minimum SIR is $5,000; minimum premium is $4,000. Combined professional and pollution incident liability limits for general contractors range from $1 million to $25 million. Minimum SIR is $10,000; minimum premium is $10,000. Combined professional and pollution incident liability limits for specialty contractors range from $1 million to $25 million. Minimum SIR is $5,000; minimum premium is $6,000.

Carrier: Columbia Casualty Co. in all states except for Illinois (in Illinois, CNA Casualty of California). Both are CNA companies and are nonadmitted.

States Available: All states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories, except for Puerto Rico.

Contact: Mary Jefferson, (301) 951-9798, or mary.l.jefferson@schinnerer.com

Topics Pollution Contractors