Environmental incidents can develop quickly and may require immediate action.

Notify Webber Insurance or the insurer as soon as practical where an incident could involve Environmental Liability Insurance.

What should I do first? #

Where appropriate:

• Protect people from immediate danger.
• Stop or contain the source where safely possible.
• Take reasonable steps to prevent further pollution.
• Notify emergency services where required.
• Comply with applicable regulatory reporting obligations.
• Record what has occurred.

Insurance notification should occur promptly alongside the appropriate incident response.

What information should I provide? #

Depending on the incident:

• Location.
• Date and time discovered.
• Description of what occurred.
• Substance or pollutant involved.
• Estimated quantity.
• Areas affected.
• Photographs.
• Environmental reports.
• Details of contractors involved.
• Communications from regulators.
• Emergency response actions already taken.

Should I appoint my own environmental consultant? #

Emergency action may sometimes be necessary.

For non-urgent work, check with the insurer before committing to substantial investigation or remediation costs.

Environmental insurers may have access to specialist:

• Environmental consultants.
• Remediation firms.
• Incident response providers.
• Legal advisers.

What if a regulator contacts the business? #

Provide the correspondence to Webber Insurance promptly.

Do not assume that regulatory investigation or remediation costs will automatically fall within the policy.

The particular environmental policy and circumstances need to be reviewed.

Should I admit liability? #

Do not admit liability, agree to settlements or make commitments to third parties without discussing the matter with the insurer where circumstances allow.