Tank Cleaners Insurance Policy Information

Tank Cleaners Insurance. Tank cleaners provide cleaning services to customers to remove scale, sludge and other residue from tanks. Debris remaining in the tanks to be cleaned may include non-hazardous commodities such as bulk food products, milk, or water, or highly hazardous substances such as chemicals, corrosives, fuels, or toxins.

The type and lining of the tank, whether contents are under pressure or not, and the previous contents and future use of the tank dictate the cleaning method to be used. Cleaning can be done by flushing with water or chemical solutions, sandblasting, or vacuuming. Depending on the size of the tank, work may be done from the exterior or workers may actually enter the tank to remove residues. Cleaning may be done manually or using robotics.

While cleaning operations are usually conducted at the customer's job site, in some cases, such as railroad or truck tanks, the tanks are brought to the cleaner's yard site. Some cleaners offer maintenance, testing and repair services.

As a tank cleaning professional, you may clean any number of tanks; septic, oil, or gas, for example. No matter what type of tanks you clean, the services you offer your clients are exceedingly important. There's also no doubt that you have a lot of responsibilities, like making sure that your clients' needs are met, taking care of your employees, ordering and storing inventory, maintaining machinery, invoicing, and more.

Like business owners in any other industry, you are also exposed to a variety of risks. Some of those risks are similar to those that other companies face; work-related injuries or illnesses that your employees may sustain, lawsuits that third-parties (clients and vendors, for example), and so forth. It's likely that you also handle toxic substances, and as such, you need to ensure that you are disposing of them responsibly.

While you try your best to make sure that every aspect of your tank cleaning business is running smoothly so that you can avoid problems, sometimes, things happen that you cannot control. An employee could damage a tank while cleaning it, which could result in a leak that has to be repaired. Toxic fluids could spill off of your truck, resulting in an expensive cleanup to mitigate potential pollution. These are just some of the examples of things that could happen that are beyond your control. To protect your clients, employees, the environment, and yourself from the unplanned and unthinkable,tank cleaners insurance is an absolute must.

Tank cleaners insurance protects your business from lawsuits with rates as low as $87/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked tank cleaning insurance questions:

What Is Tank Cleaners Insurance?
How Much Does Tank Cleaners Insurance Cost?
Why Do Tank Cleaners Need Insurance?
What Type Of Insurance Do Tank Cleaners Need?
What Does Tank Cleaners Insurance Cover & Pay For?

What Is Tank Cleaners Insurance?

Tank cleaners insurance is a type of insurance coverage specifically designed for companies or individuals involved in the cleaning and maintenance of tanks and storage containers.

This insurance protects the policyholder against financial losses due to accidents, damage to equipment, and liability claims made by third parties. It may also provide coverage for costs associated with cleaning up spills or leaks, as well as business interruption losses if the cleaning operation is temporarily shut down.

The coverage is typically required by law for companies involved in the storage and handling of hazardous materials, such as fuel, chemicals, and waste.

How Much Does Tank Cleaners Insurance Cost?

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small tank cleaning businesses ranges from $87 to $129 per month based on location, size, payroll, sales and experience.

Why Do Tank Cleaners Need Insurance?

If any of the above-mentioned scenarios occur, you will be held legally responsible. The costs of damages, repairs, medical bills, and any potential litigation that may arise can be exorbitant. Unless you are properly insured, you'll be responsible for paying these expenses yourself.

Even if you have a significant amount of money in the bank - the costs of these expenses could put you in financial ruin.

To avoid the risk of losing everything - your business, your home, your reputation, and more - investing in the proper tank cleaners insurance coverage is crucial. With the right coverage, instead of paying these extensive fees out of your own pocket, your insurance carrier will cover them for you. While you do have to pay premiums and deductibles, should the unthinkable happen, the investment will be well worth your while.

What Type Of Insurance Do Tank Cleaners Need?

There are multiple forms of tank cleaners insurance you might need to invest in. Of course, the specific types of coverage will depend on a variety of factors, including the size and location of your business, and the specific type of tank cleaning you perform; however, there are certain policies that all tank cleaners should carry, including:

Commercial General Liability - If you or a member of your staff damage a client's property, or if a vendor sustains an injury while visiting your place of business, commercial general liability will cover the cost of any necessary repairs, medical care, and litigation that may arise.
Commercial Property - If your commercial building is damaged in a fire, vandalized, broken into, or any other damage occurs, commercial property insurance will help to pay for the repairs that are needed.
Pollution Liability - If you work with harmful substances, you'll also need to invest in pollution liability insurance. This type of coverage protects you from any losses that are associated with a spill, improper disposal of substances, and other incidents that could impact the environment. It will help to cover the cost of necessary cleanup, damages, and other costs that are associated with a pollution event.
Workers' compensation. - You'll also need to invest in workers' comp insurance. This type of coverage pays for any injuries or illnesses that members of your staff may sustain while on-the-job. In addition to pay for related medical care, it can also cover their lost wages, as well as any legal fees that may arise if they should file a lawsuit.

These are just a few of the tank cleaners insurance coverage options to consider.

Tank Cleaning Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure at the contractor's office is generally limited due to lack of public access. Equipment stored in an open yard may present an attractive nuisance. The storage of flammable chemicals presents a property damage exposure to neighboring buildings.

At the job site, opening and cleaning tanks presents the possibility of injury to the customer. The area of operation should be restricted by barriers and proper signage to protect against trips, slips and falls over equipment. Chemicals and blasting operations can result in damage to neighboring buildings. Exterior sandblasting or tank flushing can be a hazard to passersby, parked vehicles and nearby structures.

If the tank is underground, the contractor may cut a utility cable, damaging property of the utility company and disrupting service to neighboring residences or businesses. Absence of detailed procedures to verify the location of the tank and determine utility locations prior to digging may indicate a morale hazard.

Completed operations liability exposures include contamination of the customer's property due to improper cleaning or repair of or damage to the tank. Chemicals and gasses may inadvertently leak into surrounding areas causing serious injury or death.

Environmental impairment liability exposure is very high due to the potential for spilling the contents of the tank onto the customer's property or while in transit. Allowing waste to accumulate either at the job site or in the contractor's yard could cause a severe environmental impairment situation. The insured must comply with all federal, state and municipal requirements. The insured must use safe methods to collect, transport, and dispose of the waste. Proper written procedures and documentation of both the transportation and disposal process is important.

Workers compensation exposures are severe. Back injuries, hernias, sprains and strains can be caused by lifting and pulling the hoses and equipment used in cleaning the tanks. If any type of chemical, toxic, hazardous, or reactive material was stored in the tank, the contractor can be injured or killed from asphyxiation, explosion or reaction of incompatible chemicals.

Protective equipment, appropriate cleaning methods and confined space entry procedures and controls are required. There are similar hazards if the contractor replaces linings in tanks, or repaints or reseals interiors. Other common hazards may include work at heights, cuts, abrasions and eye injuries from the force of the overspray.

Chemicals and dust generated during the cleaning may cause lung injury or disease. Cumulative exposure to the high-decibel operations may result in permanent hearing impairment.

Property exposures at the contractor's own location are usually limited to those of an office operation and storage of materials, equipment, and vehicles. Chemicals may be used in the cleaning process or to repair or reseal tank linings. If these are flammable or reactive, they must be properly labeled, separated, and stored in approved containers, cabinets, and rooms. If sandblasting is done on premises, sparks or high temperatures created by the process can result in fire or explosion. Adequate dust control and cooling are needed. Property stored outside may be a target for vandalism.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty. Background checks, including criminal history, should be obtained on each employee prior to hiring. Ordering, billing, and disbursement should be handled as separate duties with reconciliations occurring regularly. There should be appropriate procedures in place when employees accept payments off site.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the contractor offers credit to customers, contractors' equipment and hand tools, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information. Hand tools are used to open the tank and make repairs. Vacuum units, hoses and other equipment are used to empty the tank. Equipment may be subject to loss from theft, chemical damage, collision and overturn.

Commercial auto exposures are high due to the transportation of chemicals and the contents of cleaned tanks on tanker trucks. All drivers must be well trained and have valid licenses for the type of vehicle being driven. MVRs must be run on a regular basis. Random drug and alcohol testing should be conducted. Vehicles may be custom designed with specialty equipment, such as lifts and cherry pickers.

Large scaffolding may necessitate oversized loads, with potential of serious hazards from collision or upset. Vehicles must be well maintained with records kept in a central location. Drivers should be aware of and be able to perform cleanup procedures in the event of a collision or vehicle overturn. Many tank cleaning contractors operate in rural areas with narrow, winding roads that are difficult to navigate. Drivers should be trained and experienced in driving under adverse conditions.

What Does Tank Cleaners Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Tank cleaners may be sued for a variety of reasons, including environmental contamination, property damage, bodily injury, and wrongful death. Insurance can protect tank cleaners from these lawsuits by providing coverage for legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments.

Here are some examples of how insurance can help pay for a lawsuit:

Environmental Contamination: Tank cleaners may be sued for causing environmental contamination due to spills or leaks during the cleaning process. Insurance policies such as Pollution Liability Insurance can help pay for the cost of environmental cleanup, legal defense costs, and any settlements or judgments.

Property Damage: Tank cleaners may be sued for causing property damage during the cleaning process. Insurance policies such as General Liability Insurance can help pay for the cost of property damage, legal defense costs, and any settlements or judgments.

Bodily Injury: Tank cleaners may be sued for causing bodily injury to workers or bystanders during the cleaning process. Insurance policies such as Workers' Compensation Insurance can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, legal defense costs, and any settlements or judgments.

Wrongful Death: Tank cleaners may be sued for causing the wrongful death of workers or bystanders during the cleaning process. Insurance policies such as General Liability Insurance and Workers' Compensation Insurance can help pay for medical expenses, funeral expenses, legal defense costs, and any settlements or judgments.

In summary, insurance can protect tank cleaners from lawsuits by providing coverage for legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments. Different insurance policies may cover different types of lawsuits, so it's important for tank cleaners to have the appropriate insurance coverage for their specific risks and exposures.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

SIC CODE: 7699 Repair Shops and Related Services, NEC
NAICS CODE: 562991 Septic Tank and Related Services, 562998 All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management Services
Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9402 Street Cleaning & Drivers

7699: Repair Shops and Related Services, Not Elsewhere Classified

Division I: Services | Major Group 76: Miscellaneous Repair Services | Industry Group 769: Miscellaneous Repair Shops And Related Services

7699 Repair Shops and Related Services, Not Elsewhere Classified: Establishments primarily engaged in specialized repair services, not elsewhere classified, such as bicycle repair; leather goods repair; lock and gun repair, including the making of lock parts or gun parts to individual order; musical instrument repair; septic tank cleaning; farm machinery repair; furnace cleaning; motorcycle repair; tank truck cleaning; taxidermists; tractor repair; and typewriter repair.

Agricultural equipment repair
Antique repair and restoration, except furniture and automotive
Awning repair shops
Beer pump coil cleaning and repair service
Bicycle repair shops
Binoculars and other optical goods repair
Blacksmith shops
Boiler cleaning
Boiler repair shops except manufacturing
Bowling pins, refinishing or repair
Camera repair shops
Catch basin cleaning
Cesspool cleaning
China firing and decorating to individual order
Cleaning and reglazing of baking pans
Cleaning bricks
Coppersmithing repair, except construction
Covering textile rolls
Dental instrument repair
Drafting instrument repair
Engine repair, except automotive
Farm machinery repair
Farriers (blacksmith shops)
Fire control (military) equipment repair
Furnace and chimney cleaning
Furnace cleaning service
Gas appliance repair service
Glazing and cleaning baking pans
Gun parts made to individual order
Gunsmith shops
Harness repair shops
Horseshoeing
Industrial truck repair
Key duplicating shops
Laboratory instrument repair, except electric
Lawnmower repair shops
Leather goods repair shops
Lock parts made to individual order
Locksmith shops
Luggage repair shops
Machinery cleaning
Mattress renovating and repair shops
Measuring and controlling instrument repair, mechanical
Medical equipment repair, except electric
Meteorological instrument repair
Microscope repair
Mirror repair shops
Motorcycle repair service
Musical instrument repair shops
Nautical and navigational instrument repair, except electric
Organ tuning and repair
Piano tuning and repair
Picture framing to individual order, not connected with retail art
Picture framing, custom
Pocketbook repair shops
Precision instrument repair
Rebabbitting
Reneedling work
Repair of optical instruments
Repair of photographic equipment
Repair of service station equipment
Repair of speedometers
Rug repair shops, not combined with cleaning
Saddlery repair shops
Scale repair service
Scientific instrument repair, except electric
Septic tank cleaning service
Sewer cleaning and rodding
Sewing machine repair shops
Sharpening and repairing knives, saws, and tools
Ship boiler and tank cleaning and repair-contractors
Ship scaling-contractors
Stove repair shops
Surgical instrument repair
Surveying instrument repair
Tank and boiler cleaning service
Tank truck cleaning service
Taxidermists
Tent repair shops
Thermostat repair
Tinsmithing repair, except construction
Tractor repair
Tuning of pianos and organs
Typewriter repair, including electric
Venetian blind repair shops
Window shade repair shops

Tank Cleaners Insurance - The Bottom Line

You can purchase individual policies, or you can speak to a reputable insurance broker to find out if there is a comprehensive package that offers coverage for all of your needs.

Additional Resources For Contractors & Home Improvement Insurance

Learn about small business contractor's insurance, including what it covers, how much it costs - and how commercial insurance can help protect your contracting business from lawsuits.

Contractors And Home Improvement Insurance

The contracting industry is a field that involves a lot of risks, both for the contractor and for the clients they work for. This is why commercial insurance is so important for contractors. Insurance can protect contractors from a variety of potential losses, such as:

Liability: If a contractor causes damage to a client's property or if a client is injured while on a job site, the contractor could be held legally responsible. Liability insurance can cover legal fees and any settlements or judgments that may be awarded.

Property damage: Contractors often use a lot of expensive equipment and tools, and there is always a risk that this equipment could be damaged or stolen. Commercial property insurance can help cover the cost of replacing damaged or stolen equipment.

Business interruption: If a contractor is unable to work due to an unforeseen event, such as a natural disaster, insurance can help cover their lost income during this time.

Workers compensation: If a contractor or one of their employees is injured on the job, worker's comp can help cover medical expenses and lost wages.

Overall, commercial insurance is an important risk management tool for contractors. It can provide financial protection against a wide range of potential losses, helping contractors to stay in business and continue serving their clients.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Contractors' Equipment and Tools, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Earthquake, Flood, Leasehold Interest, Real Property Legal Liability, Accounts Receivable, Builders Risk, Computers, Goods in Transit, Installation Floater, Valuable Papers and Records, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practicesand Stop Gap Liability.

Buy Tank Cleaners Insurance

Tank Cleaners Insurance Policy Information

What Is Tank Cleaners Insurance?

How Much Does Tank Cleaners Insurance Cost?

Why Do Tank Cleaners Need Insurance?

What Type Of Insurance Do Tank Cleaners Need?

Tank Cleaning Risks & Exposures

What Does Tank Cleaners Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

7699: Repair Shops and Related Services, Not Elsewhere Classified

Tank Cleaners Insurance - The Bottom Line

Additional Resources For Contractors & Home Improvement Insurance

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