Crawford & Co Announce Environmental Claims Services

by Stewart Douglas

Story link: Crawford & Co Announce Environmental Claims Services

Insurer Crawford & Company have today announced they are preparing to launch a new insurance product in the environmental sector, to cope with changing legislation from the EU in that area and to provide businesses and domestic polluters with coverage in the event of any environmental liability.

The so called Environmental Pollution Claims Service (EPCS) is designed to provide cover for commercial entities in response to a growing body of environmental law and pollution liability, which is continuing to grow and develop in prominence with particular impetus from within Europe for change as part of a wider environmentally-focused agenda.

Specifically, the product is designed to offer a response to the recent Environmental Liability Directive, which has been in force as law since the end of April this year, and holds companies accountable for certain detrimental environmental actions. The programme will enable those at risk of this kind of liability claim to seek cover for such an eventuality in a number of specific areas.

The EPCS is designed to act in response to claims of domestic pollution as well as pollution from companies, and is set to be controlled by three divisions when the services comes into full force managing variable aspects of environmental liability and potential areas for claim.

Firstly the ‘Property’ division will be responsible for looking at oil spills and the resultant claims within that area against offending companies. Secondly, the Major Incident division will looks at most other incidents which fall foul of the regulations, from pipeline damage to explosions and fire, as well as biochemical leaks and asbestos related problems.

Finally, there will also be a liability division rounding off the operation, responsible for handling claims from third parties as regards and environmental pollution or damage that may arise from the business operation of clients.