Scrap Metal & Recycler Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a scrap metal & recycler business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for scrap metal yards and metal recyclers. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against operations and neighbors.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Property & Business Income | Covers the yard, shredder, and lost income after a fire. | Core | |
| Pollution Liability | Covers smoke, runoff, and contamination claims — excluded from general liability. | Core | |
| General Liability | Covers customer and visitor injuries at the scale and yard. | Core | |
| Equipment Breakdown / Inland Marine | Covers shredders, balers, shears, and mobile equipment. | Prevalent | |
| Commercial Auto | Covers trucks and roll-off vehicles. | Core | |
| Workers' Compensation | Covers yard and shredder workers. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is neighbor pollution claims after a fire. Battery fires at scrap facilities now produce smoke and soot claims — one New Jersey shredder faced a state lawsuit and a neighbor class action — while general liability excludes pollution. Yards should carry pollution coverage, size business income for a long shutdown, and screen every load for batteries.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your scrap metal & recycler coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Scrap Metal & Recycler Insurance · Scrap Metal & Recycler Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a scrap metal & recycler business need?
The core coverages for a scrap metal & recycler business are Commercial Property & Business Income, Pollution Liability, General Liability, Commercial Auto, Workers' Compensation. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
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 scrap metal & recycler 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.