Radon/Silica Update

I want to make everyone aware of the current radon situation that has hit the world of granite. Below are links to two articles that make very broad statements.

• Counter-strike: Granite as a base for suit
• What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?

Whether they are accurate or not (and we know they are not), is not the issue. The legal system today looks for situations like this, and with some mismanaged media, they create an atmosphere that may lead to potential law suits.

In anticipation, we have worked with a major insurance carrier and developed a contractor’s pollution liability policy that protects your business from this type of suit. It will provide defense costs as well as judgments up to the policy limits ($1,000,000 to $10,000,000 available).

In addition to radon, the policy will respond to any silica-related claim. Almost all general liability policies have an absolute pollution exclusion. These types of claims will most likely not be covered under a standard general liability policy.

The stand-alone pollution policy can be written for one to three years and has a minimum premium of $3,000 with a $5,000 deductible. You are now able to make a business decision as to whether to transfer the risk to an insurance company or retain the exposure in-house.

If you would like a premium indication, please complete the short Quote Request and fax to our office. If you would like additional information, please call me at 908-598-7813. I am available to discuss this or any other insurance-related issue.

Marc A. Rosenkrantz, CIC, AAI
President