Eliminate the Problem. Not Your Protection.
Protecting clients, technicians, and chemical application operations
Pest control operations involve applying chemical treatments, setting traps, and managing infestations across residential, commercial, and industrial properties. From pesticide-related property damage and environmental liability to employee exposure injuries and professional liability claims, pest control risk is chemical-intensive, client-property-dependent, and closely regulated by state licensing authorities. Whether operating a small residential exterminating company or a large commercial pest management firm, exposures can arise from the chemicals applied, the technicians performing the work, or the environments treated.
Properly structured insurance is essential to protect clients, technicians, operating licenses, and the professional reputation that sustains recurring service contracts.
Key Risks in Operations
Chemical exposure causing property damage, illness, or environmental harm
Professional liability from failure to eliminate pests or improper treatment
Employee injuries from chemical exposure, equipment use, and confined spaces
Third-party bodily injury at client properties during treatment
Damage to client property from chemical application or equipment
Environmental liability from pesticide drift, runoff, or improper disposal
State licensing and EPA regulatory compliance requirements
Losses can arise even when the business is professionally managed.
Core Coverages
General Liability — Protects against bodily injury and property damage claims arising from pest control operations at client properties.
Pesticide / Pollution Liability — Covers claims arising from chemical application causing property damage, illness, or environmental contamination beyond standard GL coverage.
Professional Liability — Covers claims alleging failure to control infestations, improper treatment recommendations, or failure to deliver contracted pest management services.
Commercial Auto — Covers vehicles used to transport technicians, chemicals, and equipment between service locations.
Workers’ Compensation — Provides coverage for technician injuries from chemical exposure, equipment use, and physically demanding treatment environments.
Commercial Property — Protects company equipment, chemical inventory, and business assets from covered physical losses.
Umbrella / Excess Liability — Provides additional limits for severe chemical exposure, environmental, or property damage claims.
What’s Commonly Overlooked
Insurance programs are often weakened by:
Missing pesticide or pollution liability — standard GL policies typically exclude chemical-related damage
No professional liability for failure-to-perform or recurring infestation claims
Inadequate workers’ compensation for technicians regularly exposed to chemicals
Gaps in auto coverage for vehicles transporting regulated chemical products
Missing environmental liability for pesticide drift or runoff affecting neighboring properties
Insufficient coverage for damage caused by fumigation or heat treatment processes
These issues typically surface at claim time — not before.
A pesticide application damages a client’s plants, furniture, or finishes
Chemical drift from a treatment affects a neighboring property or resident
A client alleges an infestation was not resolved despite multiple treatments
A technician is injured by chemical exposure during a confined space treatment
A fumigation causes structural or finish damage to a high-value residential property
Even a single claim can disrupt operations, damage client relationships, or impact cash flow.
Why Proper Placement Matters
Coverage varies significantly based on:
Types of treatments performed (chemical, fumigation, heat, biological)
Residential vs. commercial client mix
Chemical inventory and application volume
Technician count and licensing requirements
State pesticide application licensing and EPA compliance standing
Improper placement can lead to uncovered claims, contract losses, or regulatory exposure.
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we structure pest control insurance programs around the chemical-intensive, license-driven nature of professional pest management. We lead with pesticide and pollution liability and layer in professional, general liability, auto, and workers’ compensation coverage to protect technicians, clients, and the environment on every job.
Eliminating pests. Never eliminating protection.
Not sure your coverage is complete? Run the Pest Control Coverage Self-Review Checklist — tick what you can confirm, and walk into your next policy review informed.
Download the fillable Pest Control Operators Supplemental to start your submission, or browse all applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get pest control business insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate pest control business insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
How are pest control business insurance premiums priced?
Premiums vary from business to business. The main drivers of pest control business insurance pricing are the nature of your operations, your revenue and payroll, your loss history, and the limits you carry. Rather than quote a flat figure, we negotiate across several markets and walk you through the options, so you only pay for the protection you actually need.
Is pest control business insurance mandatory?
Requirements vary. Pest control business insurance may be mandated by statute, or required under your contracts, leases, or loan agreements — and in many cases it is simply prudent given the risks involved. We look at your specific obligations and exposures, then recommend the coverage and limits that fit.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.