Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance Policy Information

Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance. As a waste hauler, you provide your community with an invaluable service. You do the job that many people wouldn't have the patience or courage to: remove the refuse that other people create. Without your business, your town would literally be covered with debris.

Garbage collectors pick up trash from residential and/or commercial customers along established routes and transport it to an approved landfill. Some operate under a contract with a municipality where the municipality provides the vehicles and the collection firm supplies the labor, including supervision.

Some contract with businesses and residents or a governmental entity, and use their own employees and vehicles to deposit trash at a landfill owned by others. Still others provide complete services for municipalities, including vehicles, personnel and landfill operations.

But, while the services you offer are certainly much-needed, there are a lot of liabilities associated with operating a waste hauling business. Mishaps and accidents can happen, people can get injured, allegations and lawsuits can be made. In order to ensure that you, your employees, the members of the community that you service, and anyone else that interacts with your business is protected, investing in the right type of insurance coverage is an absolute must.

What type of waste haulers and garbage collection insurance should your garbage collection company carry? How much will coverage cost? We'll answer these questions and more below so that you can make the very best choices for your business.

Waste haulers and garbage collection insurance protects non-hazardous waste service businesses who haul trash 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 garbage collection and waste haulers insurance questions:

What Is Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance?
How Much Does Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance Cost?
Why Do Waste Haulers And Garbage Collectors Need Insurance?
What Type Of Insurance Do Waste Haulers And Trash Collectors Need?
What Does Waste Haulers And Garbage Collectors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

What Is Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance?

Waste haulers and garbage collection insurance is a type of insurance coverage designed specifically for companies that provide waste management and disposal services. This coverage is designed to protect the waste hauler's business against financial losses that may occur due to damage to property, equipment, liability claims and lawsuits arising from the handling and disposal of waste.

The coverage may include protection against damage caused by accidents, environmental contamination, and theft. Additionally, this insurance may also provide coverage for loss of income and business interruption in case of an event that disrupts the normal operation of the business.

How Much Does Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance Cost?

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small waste haulers and garbage collection businesses ranges from $87 to $179 per month based on location, size, payroll, sales and experience.

Why Do Waste Haulers And Garbage Collectors Need Insurance?

No matter what type of industry you work in, insurance is one of the wisest investments you can make for your business. And, just like a business in any other industry, there are a lot of liabilities associated with a owning and operating a garbage collection company.

For example, if the driver of one of your trucks strikes a pedestrian and the person who was hit requires medical care, you would be responsible for paying for those injuries. Not to mention the fact that there's a chance that the injured individual could sue your company for damages. In this type of situation, you could be looking at serious financial obligations, and without insurance coverage, you would have to pay for those expenses out of your own pocket. However, if you have the right waste haulers and garbage collection insurance policy, your insurer company will help to cover the costs that are associated with such an incident.

The above-mentioned hypothetical situation is just one of the many scenarios that could occur. Any number of liabilities can affect your waste hauler business; an employee could be injured on the job, your equipment could be vandalized or stolen, or a driver could cause a serious collision with another vehicle. If any of these types of incidents occur, you'll be thankful that you invested in business insurance.

It can really help to prevent you from having to shell out tens, hundreds, or even millions of dollars out of your own pocket. In other words, your insurance coverage can prevent you from serious financial turmoil.

What Type Of Insurance Do Waste Haulers And Trash Collectors Need?

There are a number of waste haulers and garbage collection insurance policies that trash collectors should invest in. Some policies are compulsory, which means that you are legally obligated to carry them in order to operate your business. However, there are several types of coverages that you aren't required to carry, but should consider investing in nonetheless because of the type of protection they offer. As a waste hauler, some of the business insurance policies that you should carry include:

Commercial General Liability - Should you or one of the members of your staff damage someone else's property, for example, commercial liability insurance will help to cover the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property.
Commercial Property - If the building that you operate your business out of or any of the property inside is vandalized, stolen, or damaged in an act of nature, commercial property insurance will assist with the costs.
Commercial Auto - As a waste hauler, you and your employees operate large commercial vehicles. If an accident occurs, commercial vehicle coverage will help to cover the cost of the damages.
Workers Compensation - Should an employee become injured or contract a work-related illness, workers' comp will pay for the medical care that the individual requires, as well as any lost wages and job training that might be required. It can also help to cover legal fees should the employee file a lawsuit.

Trash Collection Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures are very low due to limited public access to the premises. There is little off premises exposure unless the business provides additional services to customers. Most off premises exposures relate directly to truck operations and are covered under the business automobile policy. Contracts may expose the operation to additional liability, especially contracts with homeowners associations, municipalities and commercial operations.

Environmental impairment exposure can be high due to underground fuel tanks and waste disposal of fluids used for servicing and repairing garbage trucks. All underground fuel tanks must meet state or federal regulations and be routinely tested for leakage. Contracts should be in place to dispose of all environmentally dangerous chemicals.

Spill procedures must be in place to prevent the accidental discharge of sludge from water reclamation systems used in washing trucks. Additional exposure comes from overturn or spillage of hazardous waste material included in garbage carried should a truck being involved in an accident.

Workers compensation exposures come from driving, lifting garbage, and maintenance and repair and maintenance activities. Truck drivers and crewmen can be injured or killed by other drivers unaware of their presence on the road as they gather trash. Garbage collectors must operate in adverse traffic conditions such as inclement weather or road construction.

Lifting of heavy trash receptacles or odd-sized bundles can result in back sprains, strains, and hernias. Collectors are exposed to cuts, burns, and abrasions. If they handle hazardous materials, they may contract diseases if the materials are not handled correctly.

Most trash collection vehicles are equipped with trash compaction devices that could crush an employee. Garage employees can be injured by vehicles falling from hoists, strains, sprains and other lifting injuries. Good housekeeping is critical to reduce injury from slips, trips, and falls. Burns, eye injuries, and respiratory problems can occur with the welding and painting. Dermatitis can result from employees coming into contact with harsh cleaning detergents. Repair areas should be properly ventilated. Proper safety equipment is required.

Property exposures may be limited to electrical, heating and cooling systems in an office. If the garbage collector repairs, refuels and maintains its own vehicles on premises, exposures will include flammable liquids, including gasoline and diesel fuel, and heat-producing activities such as welding.

Flammable liquids and heat-producing activities must be separated from combustibles to prevent fire and explosion. All spray-painting should be conducted in a spray booth with approved fixtures. The condition and controls of fuel tanks, whether above or below ground, are important for both property and environmental liability.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty. Background checks, including criminal history, should be performed on all employees handling money. All billing, ordering and disbursements must be separate duties, and outside audits should be conducted on a regular basis. If drivers have access to customers' premises, the exposure to theft of customer property or customer identity theft increases.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable, computers, and valuable papers and records. If the insured conducts operations such as street cleaning, contractors' equipment coverage may be needed. Records should be duplicated and be stored off site.

Commercial auto exposures are significant. 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 presents potential problems from damage to buildings and equipment and to 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) will be required. MVRs must be acceptable and checked on a regular basis. Random drug and alcohol testing should be required. 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 Haulers And Garbage Collectors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Waste Haulers And Garbage Collectors Insurance Claim Form

Waste haulers and garbage collectors may face lawsuits for various reasons, including:

Property damage: Garbage trucks and other waste collection vehicles can cause property damage, such as knocking over mailboxes or damaging cars parked on the street. If a garbage truck causes property damage, the waste hauler's commercial auto insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement.

Personal injury: Garbage collectors may be at risk of personal injury while on the job, such as slip and falls, being struck by a passing vehicle, or lifting heavy objects. If a garbage collector is injured on the job, the waste hauler's workers' compensation insurance can help cover medical expenses and lost wages.

Environmental violations: Waste haulers may face lawsuits related to environmental violations, such as improper disposal of hazardous waste or spills that damage the environment. Waste haulers can purchase pollution liability insurance to protect against lawsuits related to environmental damage caused by their operations.

Vehicle accidents: Garbage trucks and other waste collection vehicles are often involved in accidents, which can result in lawsuits. Waste haulers' commercial auto insurance can help cover the cost of property damage or injuries resulting from accidents involving garbage trucks or other waste collection vehicles.

Contract disputes: Waste haulers may be sued by customers or other parties over contract disputes, such as disagreements over pricing or services provided. Waste haulers can purchase errors and omissions insurance to protect against lawsuits related to contract disputes. This type of insurance can help cover legal fees and damages if a customer sues over a perceived failure to provide agreed-upon services.

Overall, insurance can help waste haulers and garbage collectors mitigate the financial risks.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

SIC CODE: 4212 Local Trucking without Storage
NAICS CODE: 562111 Solid Waste Collection, 562112 Hazardous Waste Collection, 562119 Other Waste Collection
Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9403 Garbage, Ashes or Refuse Collection & Drivers

4212: Local Trucking Without Storage

Division E: Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services | Major Group 42: Motor Freight Transportation And Warehousing | Industry Group 421: Trucking And Courier Services, Except Air

4212 Local Trucking Without Storage: Establishments primarily engaged in furnishing trucking or transfer services without storage for freight generally weighing more than 100 pounds, in a single municipality, contiguous municipalities, or a municipality and its suburban areas.

Baggage transfer
Carting, by truck or horse drawn wagon
Debris removal, local carting only
Draying, local: without storage
Farm to market hauling
Furniture moving, local: without storage
Garbage, local collecting and transporting: without disposal
Hauling live animals, local
Hauling, by dump truck
Local trucking, without storage
Log trucking
Mail carriers, bulk, contract: local
Refuse, local collecting and transporting: without disposal
Rental of trucks with drivers
Safe moving, local
Star routes, local
Truck rental for local use, with drivers
Trucking timber

Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance - The Bottom Line

The amount of commercial insurance coverage you need and the cost of coverage will depend on a variety of factors. The size of your waste removal business, the area in which you operate, and the number of people you employ for you are just some of the factors that will affect coverage and cost.

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 Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance

Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance Policy Information

What Is Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance?

How Much Does Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance Cost?

Why Do Waste Haulers And Garbage Collectors Need Insurance?

What Type Of Insurance Do Waste Haulers And Trash Collectors Need?

Trash Collection Risks & Exposures

What Does Waste Haulers And Garbage Collectors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

4212: Local Trucking Without Storage

Waste Haulers And Garbage Collection Insurance - The Bottom Line

Additional Resources For Contractors & Home Improvement Insurance

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