Pollution & Environmental Liability Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a pollution & environmental liability policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current pollution policy and check the box next to each feature you can confirm it includes — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor.
Tick each feature you can confirm your policy includes — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Confirm? | Policy feature | What to confirm | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS Coverage (No PFAS Exclusion) | PFAS is now a federal Superfund hazardous substance — many pollution policies exclude it. | Often limited | |
| Contractors Pollution Liability | Covers pollution caused by work performed for others, including completed operations. | Standard | |
| Site / Premises Pollution | Covers contamination at owned or operated locations, including cleanup costs. | If needed | |
| Mold | Often excluded or sublimited — confirm if the business disturbs building materials or remediates water damage. | Often limited | |
| Transportation & Non-Owned Disposal Sites | Covers releases in transit and at disposal facilities the business sends waste to. | If needed | |
| Known Conditions | Confirm what pre-existing contamination is excluded — disclosed conditions usually are. | Standard | |
| Defense Costs Outside the Limit | Confirm whether defense and investigation costs reduce the limit. | Often limited |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The most commonly missed gap in this coverage is a PFAS exclusion. Two PFAS chemicals became federal Superfund hazardous substances — a rule the D.C. Circuit upheld in August 2026 — creating strict cleanup liability for owners, operators, and those who arranged disposal, while many pollution forms now exclude PFAS. Businesses should confirm PFAS and mold coverage and include PFAS in site assessments.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your pollution & environmental liability coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Pollution Liability Insurance · Pollution & Environmental Liability Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a pollution & environmental liability policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a pollution & environmental liability policy include Contractors Pollution Liability, Known Conditions. This checklist also flags the features that are often limited or sublimited and the ones to add if needed, with a plain-English note on each.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my pollution & environmental liability coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.