Pest control applies regulated substances inside other people's buildings, often food premises, and leaves them there working. The claims follow from that: a treatment that harmed somebody or something it should not have, contamination of food stock, damage caused gaining access, and occasionally a treatment that simply did not work where the contract promised it would. Each of those sits in a different part of the policy.
Biocides, and the competence behind them
Professional rodenticides and insecticides are regulated products, and their use carries duties around competence, storage, application and record keeping. Insurers ask what certification the technicians hold and what products are used, because an incorrect application in an occupied building is the claim that produces both a liability loss and a regulatory problem. The records are what the defence rests on.
Food premises, and contamination
A large share of this trade's work is in kitchens, warehouses and food manufacturing, where a treatment that contaminates stock produces a claim for the value of the stock destroyed and for the interruption while the premises are cleaned. That is third party property damage and consequential loss, and the limits and the exclusions around contamination are the ones to read on this trade's wording.
Access, proofing and the damage on the way in
Getting to a nest or a run means lifting boards, opening ducts, drilling and working at height in lofts and roof spaces. Damage caused in the course of that work is the routine public liability claim, and where the damaged item is what you were working on, the care custody and control exclusion can reach it. Proofing work also introduces a workmanship question, because the customer is buying a result.
The contract's promise
Where a contract promises a result rather than a service, a treatment that fails becomes a contractual claim rather than a liability one, and liability policies commonly exclude liabilities assumed under contract beyond what the law would impose. Describing the service, the follow up visits and the conditions the customer must meet is better practice and a better insurance position than guaranteeing an outcome.
Questions people ask about pest control insurance
What insurance does a pest control business need?
Public liability, treatment and contamination cover for the premises and stock treated, employers' liability once anybody is employed, equipment and vehicle cover, and professional indemnity where surveys or reports are provided.
Are contamination claims covered?
Where the policy carries contamination cover, which is a section to check rather than assume on this trade. A treatment that contaminates food stock produces a claim for the stock and for the interruption, and the limits are usually inner ones.
What do insurers ask about biocides?
What products are used, what certification the technicians hold, how substances are stored and transported, and what records are kept. Professional biocide use is regulated and the records are what a claim is defended with.
Does the policy cover a treatment that did not work?
Generally not as a liability claim. A promise of a result is contractual, and liability wordings commonly exclude liabilities assumed under contract beyond the law. Describing the service and the follow up rather than guaranteeing an outcome is the better position.