Pest control companies face a coverage issue that most other contractors don't: the pollution exclusion in standard GL policies. Because pesticides, fumigants, and rodenticides are classified as pollutants under most GL forms, a chemical application that causes damage — a pet poisoned by a pesticide, a neighbor's garden contaminated by drift, a tenant sickened by fumigant — produces a claim that GL won't pay. Pollution liability is the coverage that fills this gap, and no pest control company should operate without it.
Commercial General LiabilityCovers bodily injury and property damage arising from pest control operations — a technician who damages a client's property while treating, a customer who has a reaction to a pesticide application, or a pest technician who causes property damage while accessing a crawl space. GL for pest control companies has a critical limitation: most standard GL policies exclude pollution claims, and pesticides are classified as pollutants.
Pollution LiabilityThe defining specialty coverage for pest control companies. Standard GL policies exclude pollution claims — and pesticides, rodenticides, fumigation gases (sulfuryl fluoride, methyl bromide), and herbicides are all classified as pollutants. A pesticide application that contaminates a neighbor's garden, poisons a pet, causes illness in a building occupant, or contaminates a water supply creates a claim that GL will not cover. Pollution liability must be carried by any pest control company applying chemicals.
Professional Liability (Pest Control E&O)Covers claims arising from professional errors in pest control services — a termite inspection that missed an active infestation, a bed bug treatment that failed to eliminate the infestation, or a pest management program that resulted in continued damage. Professional liability is distinct from GL and covers the failure of the service itself, not just physical damage caused during service delivery.
Workers' CompensationPest control technicians face occupational exposure to pesticides and rodenticides, respiratory hazards in confined spaces and crawl spaces, musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive equipment carrying, and vehicular accidents. WC is mandatory in virtually every state. Pest control class codes include 9015 (pest control — not fumigation) and 9014 (fumigation). These are separate class codes with different rates.
Commercial AutoRequired for service vans and vehicles used to transport technicians and pesticide application equipment. Pest control companies operate fleets of service vehicles that must carry commercial auto coverage. Vehicles transporting chemical products may have special requirements under DOT regulations.
Inland Marine / Tools and EquipmentPest control equipment — sprayers, rodding machines, fumigation equipment, bait stations, and monitoring devices — is expensive and frequently used at client locations. Equipment stolen from a service vehicle or damaged during service delivery is covered by inland marine, not standard commercial property.
Commercial UmbrellaPollution liability claims from pesticide contamination can be extremely costly — particularly fumigation incidents affecting multiple units in an apartment complex or commercial building. Umbrella coverage provides additional limits above the underlying GL and pollution liability policies.
ACORD 125 — Commercial Insurance ApplicationPrimary submission document for every pest control account. Must accurately capture all types of pest control services — general pest, termite, bed bug, wildlife removal, rodent control, fumigation — as each affects underwriting and pricing differently.
ACORD 126 — Commercial General Liability SectionRequired for GL and professional liability. The operations description must specify all chemicals and application methods used. Underwriters specifically look for fumigation, tent fumigation, and any use of restricted-use pesticides. Whether the company serves residential vs. commercial clients also matters.
ACORD 130 — Workers Compensation ApplicationRequired for WC. Must correctly classify workers under pest control class codes — fumigation workers (9014) and non-fumigation pest control (9015) are separate codes. Field technicians vs. office staff must be separately classified.
ACORD 127 — Business Auto SectionRequired when quoting commercial auto. Pest control service vehicles transporting chemicals may have special vehicle type requirements. The vehicle schedule should note which vehicles carry pesticide materials.
→What types of pest control services are provided — general pest, termite, bed bug, rodent, fumigation, wildlife removal, mosquito, lawn treatments?
→Does the company perform tent fumigation? If so, what fumigants are used (sulfuryl fluoride, methyl bromide)?
→What percentage of revenue is from fumigation vs. general pest control?
→Does the company apply any pesticides, herbicides, or rodenticides outdoors that could affect neighboring properties?
→Does the company perform pest control in food service facilities, hospitals, schools, or other sensitive environments?
→Is the company licensed as a pesticide applicator in all states where it operates?
→What restricted-use pesticides does the company apply? Are licensed applicators in place for all restricted-use chemicals?
→What is the annual gross revenue from pest control services?
→How many technicians are employed?
→Do technicians carry any certification — QualityPro, NPMA certification, state licensing?
→What is the vehicle fleet size?
→Has the company had any pollution-related claims, pesticide complaints, or property damage claims in the last 5 years?
→Has the company ever been cited by the EPA or state environmental agency for pesticide violations?
→Does the company provide any warranties or guarantees on pest control treatments?
→What wildlife removal services are provided, if any — bats, raccoons, birds, snakes?