Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance Policy Information

Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance. Waste disposal landfills are sites used to bury, compact, or incinerate unwanted rubbish.They can be operated by for-profit organizations or as part of a governmental authority. All operations are performed subject to both federal and state environmental regulations. Landfills may permit public dumping or access may be restricted to hauling contractors.

The kinds of material accepted may be restricted, with hazardous materials being the most commonly excluded. Landfills that handle hazardous materials, such as oil or lead from batteries must be qualified and have special licenses. Methane gas and pollutant leaching into the air or water are two primary environmental concerns that must be addressed in modern landfills. Methane gas must be contained and is being used more and more as an alternative energy source that can be sold. A Leachate system is used in most landfills to prevent pollutants from leaching into bodies of water.

If you are running a landfill, then you have a lot of things to consider when it comes to keeping your business running properly. You have to worry about people coming onto your site and dumping things in the wrong place, you have to worry about them bringing things that you do not accept and there are a thousand other concerns that you have with a waste disposal landfill. In addition, you have to worry about all of the other aspects of running a business.

But one of the things that you may not have thought much about is insurance. Most people who are starting a business are not aware of what kind of insurance they need, and even those who are ready on a business are usually underinsured. Let's take a look at some waste disposal landfill insurance products that you will need for your business.

waste disposal landfill insurance protects your business from lawsuits with rates as low as $297/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked landfill waste disposal insurance questions:

What Is Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance?
How Much Does Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance Cost?
Why Do Waste Disposal Landfills Need Insurance?
What Type Of Insurance Do Waste Disposal Landfills Need?
What Does Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance Cover & Pay For?

What Is Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance?

Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance is a type of insurance coverage designed to protect waste disposal facilities, landfill operators, and owners against losses due to potential risks and hazards associated with operating a landfill. This insurance covers damages and losses incurred as a result of accidents, environmental contamination, third-party claims, and other liabilities.

The coverage can also provide protection against unexpected costs associated with the cleanup and remediation of contaminated sites. The purpose of Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance is to provide financial protection for landfill operators and owners and to help ensure that the environment is protected from potential harm.

How Much Does Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance Cost?

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small waste disposal landfill businesses ranges from $297 to $599 per month based on location, size, payroll, sales and experience.

Why Do Waste Disposal Landfills Need Insurance

Waste disposal landfills need insurance for several reasons:

Liability coverage: Waste disposal sites are required to manage and dispose of hazardous materials, and if they are not handled properly, they can cause significant harm to the environment, human health, and property. Insurance coverage provides protection against liability claims from individuals, businesses, or government agencies that may be affected by environmental pollution.

Property damage: Waste disposal sites can cause damage to adjacent properties or infrastructure if not managed properly. Insurance coverage provides protection against property damage claims.

Business interruption: Waste disposal sites can experience disruptions due to natural disasters, equipment failure, or other unforeseen events that may impact the operations of the landfill. Insurance coverage can provide coverage for the loss of income due to business interruption.

Workers compensation: Landfill employees may be at risk of injury or illness while working with hazardous materials. Insurance coverage provides protection against workers compensation claims.

In conclusion, waste disposal landfills need insurance to protect their operations from potential liabilities and financial losses.

What Type Of Insurance Do Waste Disposal Landfills Need?

General Liability Insurance

One type of insurance that you definitely need to have if you are operating a working landfill where people can come and go is general liability insurance there are a lot of protections that general liability insurance offers, but one of the big ones is making sure that you are protected if someone gets injured while they are on your site.

This is especially important when you have a landfill business because they are inherently dangerous. With junk everywhere, loose earth that can make someone lose their footing and potential dangers from everything from broken glass to jagged car parts, you absolutely have to make sure that you are protected when people are on your site.

But there is more to general liability insurance than just ensuring that someone is protected if they cut themselves on a piece of glass. If you were to sell some type of junk to someone and found out later on that it did not work properly or was inherently unsafe, then you are likely going to still be protected by general liability insurance. In addition, general liability insurance protects you against employment practices and a whole lot more.

Commercial Property Insurance

Property insurance is important with landfills for a couple of reasons. For one thing, kids are always coming to landfills and playing and a lot of times they vandalize the property. One of the things that property damage insurance protects against is vandalism. Although most vandalism is minor and may not even need addressed, there are some forms of vandalism that can actually cost you thousands of dollars or even put you out of business until you get it cleaned up.

But property insurance can protect you when this happens. In addition, you are often protected from natural disasters or mishaps like fires, floods, falling trees or power lines and more. In some cases, property damage even protects you against theft.

Worker's Compensation Insurance

If you have employees working for you that receive a salary or an hourly wage, then you're going to have to have Worker's Compensation insurance. This is especially important at an inherently dangerous site like a junkyard, but it doesn't really matter because it is required by law. Workers comp takes care of the medical bills if an employee is injured on your jobsite.

This not only protects them and allows them to get the medical treatment that they need - including in some cases lost wages - but it also protects you from being sued in the future by that same employee for the same accident. Worker's Compensation insurance is a great way to protect yourself and your employees.

Commercial Auto Insurance

For any trucks that you operate or other vehicles that you use to haul junk and debris to and from your site, you're going to be commercial automobile insurance. Commercial automobile insurance is comprehensive insurance that covers you no matter what the situation. Even if someone hits you that does not have insurance on their vehicle or does not have enough insurance to cover your damages, commercial automobile insurance may still be able to get you back on the road with repairs or a new vehicle right away.

Most insurance companies require that any vehicle that is being used for commercial purposes carry commercial automobile insurance. The good news is, you can often get discounts for multiple vehicles or fleets.

Landfill's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures are significant because of the hazardous conditions at landfills. The entire site should be properly fenced and gated to prevent unauthorized access, especially by children and teens tempted by an attractive nuisance.

Entrances and exits should be clearly marked for ease of traffic flow because garbage trucks have a limited turning radius and line of sight. Customer areas must be clearly marked. Improperly vented methane gas can result in explosions both at the location and at homes and businesses in the surrounding area. Failure to control vermin can affect neighboring properties.

Environmental impairment exposure is very high because landfills may not have a lot of control over the types of waste materials dumped at their site. Incinerators must be checked regularly and be maintained in accordance with EPA requirements. The Leachate system must comply with clean water regulations. Additional exposure comes from overturn or spillage of hazardous waste material included in garbage carried should a truck be involved in an accident.

Workers compensation exposures are very high. Common injuries include cuts, burns, abrasions, back sprains, hernias, and foreign objects in the eye, hearing impairment from noise, injuries from the use of heavy equipment, slips, trips, and falls, crushing, and falling into unstable trash heaps. Workers may be attacked by dogs, rodents, or wild animals. Drivers can be injured in automobile accidents. The exposure to methane gas can be fatal because it can explode. Exposure to contaminants could transmit disease or cause other injuries. Proper safety equipment is required.

Property exposures include an office and landfill area. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning systems, and sparking or overheating of incinerators and compactors. Electrical wiring must meet current codes. While landfill property is not particularly susceptible to damage, explosions are possible because of the buildup of methane gas produced by waste materials.

If the landfill sells the methane gas produced, the transfer of the gas, including the pipelines and transfer station operations, creates additional exposures. Business income and extra expense can be high due to the unavailability of alternate facilities after a loss.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty and money and securities from fees required when customers dump waste materials. If a key card system is used, the cash exposure is minimized but stolen key cards may be an exposure. Background checks, including criminal history, should be obtained on each employee prior to hiring. Ordering and billing must be handled by two different employees.

Inland marine exposures are from accounts receivables if the facility utilizes key cards and monthly billings, computers, mobile equipment (bobcats, bulldozers, and cranes), and valuable papers and records (licenses, contracts and regulation compliance documents). Computers are used to control equipment, to track inventories, and to monitor processes. Duplicates of records should be made and stored off site.

Commercial auto exposures may be limited to hired and non-owned only. If the landfill collects waste, the exposure is much higher. Large vehicles operating on narrow streets in residential areas may cause serious bodily injury and property damage losses. Equipment used to lift garbage receptacles can malfunction, dropping items on structures, other vehicles, or bystanders.

Debris can fly from the truck, causing damage to other vehicles on the road. Trash taken to the dump can damage buildings, equipment, and other vehicles using the facility. Backing up garbage trucks can be deadly. Video devices that reveal objects and people behind the vehicle can be very helpful in preventing damage and injuries. All drivers must have valid licenses for the vehicles being driven.

In some cases, a commercial driver's license (CDL) or Haz-Mat license will be required. MVRs must be acceptable and checked on a regular basis. Random drug and alcohol testing should be conducted. Vehicles must be maintained and records kept in a central location. Accidents can result in the spillage of diesel fuel or other operating fluids from within the truck, requiring cleanup.

What Does Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance Claim Form

Waste disposal companies and landfills are often sued for various reasons, including environmental contamination, health hazards, property damage, and regulatory violations. Insurance policies can help protect these companies from the financial burden of these lawsuits. Here are a few examples of the reasons for lawsuits and how insurance can provide coverage:

Environmental contamination: Waste disposal companies and landfills may be sued if their operations lead to the contamination of soil, groundwater, or surface water. Environmental liability insurance, also known as pollution liability insurance, can help pay for legal defense, settlements, and clean-up costs associated with such lawsuits.

Health hazards: Companies may face lawsuits if their waste disposal activities result in health issues for nearby residents or workers. General liability insurance or commercial general liability (CGL) insurance can help cover the costs of these claims, including legal defense, settlements, and medical expenses for injured parties.

Property damage: Landfills or waste disposal facilities may be sued if their operations cause damage to neighboring properties, such as through toxic spills, fires, or explosions. Property damage coverage within a general liability insurance policy can help pay for the costs associated with repairing or replacing the damaged property, as well as legal defense and settlements.

Regulatory violations: Waste disposal companies and landfills must adhere to strict regulations regarding waste management, emissions, and disposal. If they violate these regulations, they may face lawsuits or fines from government agencies. A specialized insurance policy, such as environmental impairment liability (EIL) insurance, can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, and penalties.

Nuisance claims: Neighbors may sue waste disposal companies and landfills for creating a nuisance due to odors, noise, or other disruptions. General liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense and settlements related to nuisance claims.

Employee injuries: Waste disposal and landfill workers may be exposed to hazardous materials or suffer injuries on the job. Workers' compensation insurance can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs for injured employees, as well as legal defense and settlements if the company is sued for negligence related to the injury.

For each of these examples, the insurance policy's coverage limits and deductibles will determine how much financial assistance the waste disposal company or landfill receives. It is essential for these companies to regularly review and update their insurance policies to ensure they have adequate protection against potential lawsuits.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

SIC CODE: 4953 Refuse Systems
NAICS CODE: 562211 Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal, 562212 Solid Waste Landfill, 562213 Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators, 562219 Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 7580 Sewage Disposal Plant Operation & Drivers

4953: Refuse Systems

Division E: Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services | Major Group 49: Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services | Industry Group 495: Sanitary Services

4953 Refuse Systems: Establishments primarily engaged in the collection and disposal of refuse by processing or destruction or in the operation of incinerators, waste treatment plants, landfills, or other sites for disposal of such materials. Establishments primarily engaged in collecting and transporting refuse without such disposal are classified in Transportation, Industry 4212.

Acid waste, collection and disposal of
Ashes, collection and disposal of
Dumps, operation of
Garbage: collecting, destroying, and processing
Hazardous waste material disposal sites
Incinerator operation
Landfill, sanitary: operation of
Radioactive waste materials, disposal of
Refuse systems
Rubbish collection and disposal
Sludge disposal sites
Street refuse systems
Waste materials disposal at sea

Waste Disposal Landfill Insurance - The Bottom Line

To learn more about the different types of landfill insurance policies you should invest in and how much coverage you should carry, speak to a reputable insurance broker.

Additional Resources For Miscellaneous Insurance

Find informative articles on miscellaneous businesses including the types of commercial insurance they need, costs and other considerations.

Businesses need insurance for several reasons. Firstly, insurance protects businesses from potential financial losses that may result from unexpected events, such as accidents, natural disasters, or lawsuits. This financial protection can help businesses recover from unexpected events and continue to operate.

Secondly, business insurance can provide businesses with liability protection. This means that if a business is sued for damages or injuries that occurred on their property or as a result of their products or services, the insurance company will cover the legal costs and damages. Without insurance, businesses may have to pay these costs out of pocket, which can be financially devastating.

Thirdly, commercial insurance can also provide businesses with peace of mind. When businesses have insurance, they can focus on running and growing their business without constantly worrying about potential financial losses or legal issues.

Finally, business insurance can also be a requirement for certain businesses. For example, many businesses that work with the government or large corporations may be required to have certain types of insurance in order to do business with them.

In conclusion, businesses need insurance for financial protection, liability protection, peace of mind, and to meet certain requirements. It is an important aspect of running a successful business and can help ensure the long-term stability and growth of the company.

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