The ACORD 135 Pollution Liability Application is used to apply for pollution liability insurance — coverage that protects businesses against claims arising from the release, discharge, or escape of pollutants. Pollution liability fills a critical gap in standard commercial lines: most GL policies contain a pollution exclusion that eliminates coverage for pollution-related bodily injury and property damage claims. For businesses with any pollution exposure, a separate pollution policy is often essential.
Pollution liability is needed for businesses with environmental exposures: • Contractors who work with fuels, chemicals, or hazardous materials • Dry cleaners and laundries (solvent exposure) • Gas stations and fuel distributors • Auto repair shops with used oil and antifreeze • Manufacturers with chemical processes • Property owners and managers (fuel oil tanks, lead paint, asbestos) • Environmental consulting and remediation firms • Recyclers and waste handlers • Any business on a site with known or suspected historical contamination
Standard commercial GL policies contain an absolute pollution exclusion (or a qualified exclusion) that eliminates coverage for:
• Bodily injury caused by pollution (including chemical inhalation, groundwater contamination) • Property damage caused by the release of pollutants • Cleanup costs required by government authorities • Third-party claims arising from pollution on or migrating from the insured's property
The breadth of the exclusion means that even businesses without obvious pollution risk — such as a landlord with an underground fuel oil tank — can face uncovered claims. Pollution liability fills this gap.
Pollution coverage comes in several forms:
Site pollution liability — covers claims arising from conditions at a specific property. Used by property owners, manufacturers, and businesses with fixed operations.
Contractors pollution liability (CPL) — covers contractors who may encounter or disturb pollutants at job sites (mold, asbestos, lead paint, underground storage tanks). One of the fastest-growing commercial specialty lines.
Transportation pollution liability — covers pollution incidents during the transportation of hazardous materials. Required for many hazmat haulers.
Environmental professional liability — covers errors and omissions by environmental consultants who provide remediation plans or environmental assessments.
Pollution underwriters need to know:
• A full description of operations and the types of substances handled or stored • A history of the property (prior uses, known contamination) • Any prior pollution incidents, spills, or regulatory actions • Underground storage tanks — number, age, material, monitoring system • Above-ground storage tanks • Any prior environmental assessments (Phase I or Phase II studies) • Current regulatory compliance status • How waste materials are handled and disposed of
Not asking contractors about potential pollution exposure at job sites (mold, asbestos, USTs)
Assuming the GL pollution exclusion is limited — the absolute exclusion is very broad
Not asking about underground storage tanks during the commercial property submission
Missing the contractors pollution liability need for contractors working in older buildings
Not asking about prior environmental investigations or regulatory actions
Send your client a plain-English intake link. When they finish, the completed ACORD 135 and all required companion forms are generated and ready to submit.