Demolition, Asbestos Removal and Environmental Insurance

This industry sector can be exposed to some unique risks that make choosing the right level of cover, with the right inclusions, extremely important. There are dangers to personnel, equipment and third-party safety and property concerns. Liability in this sector is also an important consideration.

For decades Tudor has insured almost every type of business in the demolition, construction or environmental fields.

Asbestos Removalists

Asbestos workers are usually familiar with the health dangers posed by this material. However knowledge in the appropriate insurance cover for the industry is not as universally understood. We have packages of insurance cover for Australian asbestos removalists.

Covering removal of asbestos, AC sheeting and man made mineral fibres including stripping, encapsulation, re-roofing, re-insulation, fire proofing, air monitoring, and related transport. Including extensive number of extensions giving a very wide cover. Also provide extensive covers in respect of motor and professional indemnity classes for both facilities.

Bin Hire and Mini Skip Operators

Covering hire and collection of bins and mini skips and wheelie bins for residential, commercial and entertainment facilities use including temporary approved holding facilites and second hand material yards.

Demolition Contractors

Covering demolition, excavation, site clearing, related cartage and second hand material yard. Including extensive number of extensions giving a very wide cover on an occurrence based wording.

Environmental Consultants

We can assist in a tailored insurance solution for environmental consultants in Australia. Professional Indemnity Insurance for environmental consultants is no longer optional and is important for anyone advising in the spheres of mining, energy, construction, infrastructure, waste management and more. Often it is required by government agencies, private companies and other before hiring anyone to give professional advice.

It is imperative that any consultant have adequate Professional Indemnity Insurance should an act, error or omission give rise to a negligence claim against them. Legal costs can quickly rise to a level that most simply could not afford.

FAQs

Does my public liability policy cover asbestos?

Usually not. Most standard public liability policies exclude asbestos entirely, whether or not you knew it was there. Removalists need a policy that specifically writes asbestos cover back in, and the detail matters: some cover only licensed removal work, while others extend to encapsulation, air monitoring, transport and disposal. Demolition contractors without an asbestos licence should still check how their policy responds if they disturb asbestos unexpectedly, because the exclusion can apply even when removal wasn't the job.

What's the difference between sudden and gradual pollution cover?

Sudden and accidental cover responds to a one-off event at an identifiable time, like a burst hydraulic hose, while gradual pollution is excluded by most public liability policies. Gradual means contamination that builds up over weeks or months through leaching, run-off or repeated fibre release. That gap is filled by contractors pollution liability or environmental impairment cover, which can also pay clean-up costs on and off site. On contaminated or remediation work, the gradual cover is usually the one that matters.

Am I covered for contamination that was already on site before I started?

Not for the contamination itself, but you can be covered for making it worse. Pre-existing contamination is generally excluded because it isn't the result of your work. What contractors pollution liability can cover is your liability if your work disturbs, spreads or releases it, for example when excavation moves contaminated soil into groundwater or onto a neighbouring property. Insurers will ask about site history and investigations, so contaminated site work needs to be declared up front rather than discovered at claim time.

Am I covered if demolition damages the building next door?

Only if your policy covers vibration and removal of support. Many public liability policies exclude or cap damage caused by vibration, or by removing or weakening support to neighbouring land and buildings, and those are the two most likely ways demolition damages an adjoining property. Specialist demolition wordings usually write this back in, sometimes with a separate limit or a higher excess. Before a job next to an older or party-wall building, we check the limit on this cover, not just the headline public liability figure.

What insurance will a head contractor or government client want from me?

Expect public liability with asbestos and pollution cover included, commonly at $10 million or $20 million, plus workers compensation, and professional indemnity if you provide assessments or advice. Contracts often add the principal as an interested party, cross liability, a waiver of subrogation, and a certificate of currency before site access. Some clients also ask for occurrence-based cover on asbestos work, because asbestos claims can surface decades after the job and a claims-made policy only responds to claims made while it is in force.

Request a Quote

Did you know that what is actually covered can vary considerably between insurers? Often with exclusions or high excess payments that you may not be aware of. You need a broker who can assess your individual situation, offer the right insurance and explain precisely what is and isn’t covered.

It's easy to pay too much for insurance, but it's just as easy to pay too little then find out too late that you're not covered. There's a lot of flashy online insurance calculators out there but they focus only on price. Talk to Tudor and you talk to a real person who knows the what level of cover should be recommended and who will personally help you with a claim.

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