Standard public and product liability policies typically exclude pollution that happens gradually rather than suddenly, a gap that leaves many businesses more exposed than they realise.
Environmental and Pollution Liability insurance covers the cost of cleaning up contamination caused by a business's operations, along with third-party claims for injury, property damage, or business interruption resulting from that pollution.
The exclusion most businesses miss: General liability policies commonly exclude "gradual pollution", contamination that happens slowly over time rather than in a single sudden incident. A leaking storage tank discovered years after it started is a textbook example of exactly the scenario standard cover won't respond to.
Landlords, local authorities, and larger corporate clients are increasingly requiring proof of environmental liability cover before agreeing contracts or leases, particularly for sites with any history of industrial use.
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See My Cover Options →Environmental cover requirements vary significantly by industry and site history. Always confirm specific exclusions with a specialist broker.