Understanding Contractors’ Pollution Liability

For Tennessee roofing contractors like you, this isn’t just about massive industrial accidents; it’s about common, everyday materials and situations on your job sites that can lead to costly pollution claims.

Don’t Let Pollution Risks Tear a Hole in Your Roofing Profits

You’re focused on delivering a quality roof, on time and on budget. You take precautions, use the right materials, and ensure your team works safely. But what happens if the fumes from the sealants you’re using drift into a neighboring business, causing illness? Or if old roofing materials containing asbestos are accidentally disturbed and released? These incidents can trigger Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) claims, and the cleanup costs and legal fees can be staggering.
General Liability policies almost always have exclusions for pollution-related incidents. That’s where specialized Roofing Contractor Pollution Liability insurance steps in. It’s designed to protect your business from claims of bodily injury, property damage, and environmental cleanup costs arising from pollution conditions caused by your contracting operations.
At Veritas Risk Management, we urge our Tennessee roofing clients not to underestimate these risks.

What is Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) Insurance?

CPL insurance is tailored coverage for contractors. It addresses the pollution exposures that are typically excluded by your standard General Liability or Property insurance policies. This coverage is crucial if your work involves materials or processes that could accidentally release pollutants into the environment, whether it’s the air, soil, or water.
For roofers, this could include:

• Cleanup costs (both voluntary and mandatory)
• Defense costs for pollution-related lawsuits
• Damages for bodily injury or property damage caused by the pollution
• Coverage for pollution incidents at your own premises or storage locations
• Transportation pollution liability (e.g., a spill while hauling materials or debris)

Think your roofing jobs are “too small” to cause a pollution incident? Think again. 

• Fumes and Vapors: Solvents, adhesives, sealants, asphalt from kettles, and other chemicals used in roofing can release fumes. 33 If these fumes migrate to adjacent properties or inside the building you’re working on, they can cause respiratory problems or other health issues for occupants, leading to claims.
• Disturbance of Hazardous Materials: Many older buildings in Tennessee still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACM) or lead-based paint in their roofing systems or structures. 44 During a tear-off or repair, accidentally disturbing these materials can release hazardous fibers or dust, leading to expensive abatement requirements and third-party claims.
• Spills and Leaks: Equipment used on site, like generators or compressors, can leak oil or fuel. 555 Even a small spill, if not properly contained and remediated, can contaminate soil or water.
• Improper Waste Disposal: Old shingles, tar paper, containers of used solvents, and other construction debris need to be disposed of correctly. 6 If your waste is taken to an inappropriate facility or illegally dumped by a hauler you hired, you could be held responsible for cleanup costs.
• Contaminated Runoff: Rainwater can wash loose materials, chemicals, or sediment from your job site into storm drains or onto neighboring properties, causing contamination or property damage. 

A real-world example from a similar contracting field highlights the potential costs: A contractor was responsible for an ammonia leak, which resulted in seventeen neighbors being hospitalized and significant business interruption for a nearby warehouse. The contractor faced $1.75 million in third-party bodily injury, property damage, and defense costs. While you might not be working with ammonia, a release of potent sealant fumes or asbestos fibers could have similarly devastating financial and health consequences.

• Call us directly NOW at 423.292.4142 for an immediate consultation and a no-obligation quote. Let’s talk about your specific roofing operations and how we can protect you.
• Want us to reach out? Visit us at veritasrm.com and drop your email address in our contact form, and one of our Tennessee contractor specialists will get back to you ASAP to discuss your CPL insurance needs.

You can also explore more about contractor insurance solutions on our educational portal at education.veritasrm.com.
Take control of your pollution risks today. Your business, your reputation, and your peace of mind depend on it.