If you run a septic, sewer or portable restroom business, you’re working around risk every day. Trucks break down, spills happen and equipment can get lost or stolen. One bad incident can set you back hard — unless you’ve got the right insurance.
But most standard policies aren’t built for the kind of work you do. They leave out critical stuff. If you don’t catch those gaps early, you’re the one holding the bag. Here’s what to look out for!
General Liability Doesn’t Cover Everything
General liability might be the first policy you bought. It covers things like property damage and third-party injuries. Don’t, however, assume that means you’re covered across the board.
Got a spill that causes environmental damage? Probably not covered. An employee messes up a system install underground? Also not likely. Most policies exclude pollution and don’t cover professional mistakes. If you use subcontractors, that might be another blind spot. This kind of policy helps, but it’s only part of the picture.
Pollution Coverage Is Often Missing
If you pump tanks, haul waste or manage portable restrooms, pollution isn’t a rare risk — it’s built into your work. And here’s the problem: most general liability policies exclude it.
You need separate pollution liability coverage. Say a hose bursts and sewage spills onto a customer’s property. Cleanup and legal costs can stack up quickly, and pollution insurance helps you manage them. If you’re in this line of work, you shouldn’t go without it.
Your Tools May Not Be Protected in the Field
You’ve got expensive gear on every truck: hoses, pumps, tools, thousands of dollars’ worth. But if that gear gets damaged or stolen off-site, your regular property policy might not pay.
This is where inland marine insurance comes in. It covers tools and equipment in transit or on job sites, making it a must-have for mobile operations. Don’t wait until something goes missing just to realize it’s not covered.
Workers’ Comp Has Limits
You likely carry workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees, as it’s required in most states. But that doesn’t mean the coverage matches the work you do.
Septic jobs involve confined spaces, slippery surfaces and physical labor. Some carriers underestimate the risks, or you might’ve been placed in a lower-risk category. That can cause problems during a claim or an audit.
Also, make sure you’re not misclassifying labor. Calling someone a contractor doesn’t protect you if they work like an employee. And, if you’re a one-person operation, workers’ comp won’t apply. An occupational accident policy can help cover medical bills or lost income if you get hurt on the job.
Commercial Auto Doesn’t Always Go Far Enough
You probably have a commercial policy on your trucks, but what if you rent a vehicle for a few days, or an employee uses their own car to pick up supplies? Many policies don’t cover those scenarios.
Hired and non-owned auto coverage can fill that gap. Also, make sure you’re covered for spills or environmental damage tied to an accident, as not all commercial policies include that.
Cyber Coverage Isn’t Just for Big Companies
If you use software for scheduling, invoicing or storing customer info, you’ve got cyber risk. A phishing email or ransomware attack can lock you out of your systems and cost real money to fix.
Cyber insurance helps cover recovery costs, provides legal assistance and facilitates customer notifications. It’s not just for big corporations. If you’re using digital tools to run your business, this coverage matters.
Insurance gaps don’t seem like a problem — until they are. A small hole in your policy can turn into a big financial hit. And in this business, it doesn’t take much to knock you off track. Review your coverage, ask questions and fix the gaps before they get expensive.
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