Product Recall & Contamination Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a product recall & contamination policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current product recall 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Party Recall Expenses | Pays to notify customers, retrieve, ship, and destroy recalled products. | Standard | |
| Third-Party Recall Liability | Covers customers' and retailers' recall costs you're legally or contractually responsible for. | Often limited | |
| Voluntary and Government-Ordered Recalls | Confirm both are covered — some policies require a regulator's order. | Often limited | |
| Business Interruption / Lost Profit | Replaces lost gross profit after a recall. | Often limited | |
| Accidental & Malicious Contamination | Covers contamination incidents and tampering or extortion threats. | If needed | |
| Brand Rehabilitation | Pays for advertising and public relations to restore sales after a recall. | If needed | |
| Crisis Consultant Services | Provides recall and crisis experts when an event starts. | Often limited |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The most commonly missed gap in this coverage is assuming product liability covers a recall. Product liability pays for injuries and damage to others; it generally excludes the cost of pulling products off the market — and recalled units passed one billion by July 2026. Businesses should carry recall coverage for first- and third-party costs, and test their recall plan with a mock recall each year.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your product recall & contamination coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Product Recall & Contamination Insurance · Product Recall & Contamination Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a product recall & contamination policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a product recall & contamination policy include First-Party Recall Expenses. 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 product recall & contamination 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.