Sudden & Accidental coverage is tied to a discovery and reporting period, and generally covers bodily injury and property damage caused by a pollution loss. If a claim comes in and is a gradual loss, or is not discovered and reported in the time allowed under the policy form, there is no coverage in place.

Site Pollution Liability insurance, also known as Premises Pollution, Environmental Impairment Liability (EIL insurance), and Pollution Legal Liability (PLL), is designed to cover claims arising from pollution releases at, on, or emanating from a specific scheduled location.

Your standard General Liability policy almost always includes a total pollution exclusion. And some carriers have determined that they are willing to provide pollution coverage, but only on a sudden and accidental basis.

There are two types of pollution coverage – pollution legal liability (site pollution liability), and contractor's pollution liability coverage.

Contractors Pollution Liability coverage provides protection for claims against contractors arising from pollution conditions resulting from the operations of the contractor or its subcontractors. This includes coverage for third-party bodily injury and property damage, defense costs, and cleanup.

Contrary to chronic pollution, accidental pollution is the result of sudden events, independent of human will. It may, for example, occur following the rupture of a pipeline, a fire or a shipwrecking. Accidental chemical pollution at sea is generally caused by ship-source spills.

Cleanup costs for pollution incidents that occur onsite or migrate onto neighboring properties. Pollution damage to natural resources e.g., wetlands, aquifers, wildlife habitats, etc. Third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising out of exposure to site pollutants.