What is Pest Control Insurance?

Pest control insurance is carried by pest control companies and sole proprietor exterminators. Typically, this type of insurance is intended to cover the company's liability in the event that it causes bodily harm or property damage. Pest control insurance may also cover company vehicles, tools, and equipment; pollution caused by the company; and employee injuries. Often, these companies also carry employee dishonesty insurance, which provides protection in the event that an employee steals from a customer or commits some type of fraud.

Pest control services typically apply a range of chemical pesticides within residences and commercial properties. In some cases, this type of business may also apply chemicals around the perimeter of a customer’s property. When pest control chemicals are in use, there is a possibility that the chemicals may damage the health of a human or animal. It's also possible that such chemicals will damage a customer’s property; property damage may even occur during some types of pest inspections. Pest control insurance provides the company with financial coverage in the event of an injury, property damage claim, or lawsuit.

Many pest control companies put effort into making sure they use chemicals that are not dangerous for their customers or damaging to their property. When they do use harmful chemicals, they often take precautions to minimize the risk. Sometimes, however, things go wrong despite a pest control company’s best efforts. Pest control insurance is usually meant for the cases in which things go wrong unexpectedly. Often, this type of company purchases coverage not only for bodily injury or property damage that may affect a customer, but also for various types of pollution the company may cause or contribute to.

In addition to coverage for liability and property damage, a company may also have pest control insurance that covers its own vehicles and equipment. Often, these companies also purchase workers compensation insurance, employment practices coverage, and business income coverage. A pest control company may even purchase insurance that covers claims that arise due to employee dishonesty.

The type of pest control insurance coverage a company needs may depend on its size, customer base, service offerings, and insurance coverage requirements in his jurisdiction. The amount of coverage a company needs often depends on the likelihood that a company's activities will result in a claim. An experienced insurance representative can often help people in this business figure out how much insurance they need.