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What is pest control insurance?

Pest control insurance is a collection of coverages designed to protect pest control contractors – professionals specializing in pest removal from residential, commercial or industrial properties. This includes insect and bedbug exterminators, weed removers, fumigators and wildlife and rodent control services.

Regardless of your specialization, there are many risks associated with pest control, from property damage caused by chemical treatments to equipment theft or breakdowns. The right commercial insurance policy provides a financial safety net, covering legal fees, medical costs and property repair expenses that would otherwise have to come out of your pocket. Given how big these expenditures sometimes get, they can put your business at a significant financial risk. That’s why buying insurance is a must.

What pest control insurance includes

Pest control insurance would usually cover you in the following areas:

• Commercial general liability (CGL): Also known as ‘slip-and-fall’ coverage, general liability is the foundation of your protection. It covers costs related to third-party bodily injury (like a client slipping on a chemical spill) or property damage (such as accidentally damaging a client's furniture during a treatment).
• Tools and equipment: Tools and equipment insurance protects your valuable gear, from sprayers to traps and diagnostic tools, against theft, loss or damage. Do note that if your tools or equipment are damaged due to regular wear and tear, you will not get covered.
• Pollution liability: A crucial coverage for pest control operators. This protects you from claims related to bodily injury or property damage caused by the gradual or sudden release of pollutants, like pesticides and other chemicals.

Recommended add-ons for pest control insurance coverage

To create a more comprehensive safety net, consider these additional coverages:

• Commercial auto: If you use a vehicle for business purposes, commercial auto insurance covers accidents, injuries and property damage involving your work truck or van.
• Commercial property: Commercial property insurance protects your physical business location, such as a storage facility and its contents, from risks like fire, theft or vandalism.
• Professional liability: Also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, this covers claims related to allegations of negligence, mistakes or failure to perform your professional duties as promised. For instance, you’ve promised to completely remove the cockroaches from your client’s house, but weeks after your work is done, the cockroaches are not only back but are more plentiful. You could be facing legal action as a result. At minimum, you’d be asked to re-do what you’ve already done, at not cost, which could get costly.

Common types of pest control insurance claims

Here are some examples of the types of claims pest control contractors tend to file:

• Property damage: A technician accidentally sprays a chemical that stains a client’s expensive hardwood floors, leading to a costly replacement claim. General liability would cover any legal or repair and replacement costs in this scenario.
• Chemical seepage: Chemicals used during a treatment seep into a neighbour's garden, destroying their plants and contaminating the soil, leading to a cleanup and liability claim. Pollution liability coverage would help you handle these costs.
• Equipment theft: Your work vehicle is broken into overnight and thousands of dollars worth of specialized spraying equipment is stolen. The tools and equipment coverage would pay to replace the lost equipment.

How much does pest control insurance cost?

Depending on your coverage and other factors, your pest control insurance is likely to cost you about $500 to $2,000 per year. However, these are just estimates. To find out exactly how much your commercial policy will cost, you should apply for a commercial insurance quote.

Some of the factors that may impact your insurance premium include:

• Type of coverage: Basic policies with standard coverage cost less than comprehensive policies with multiple add-ons. Essentially, the more you want to cover, the more you have to pay.
• Coverage amount: Higher coverage limits lead to higher premiums. This is similar to having more coverages, except that in this case you want to increase the amount of money you’d receive from a particular coverage (e.g., commercial general liability).
• Location: Insurance costs can vary based on where you provide your services. If the area where you work has a lot of reported break-ins, for instance, then there is a higher chance that your equipment could get stolen.
• Experience level: The more experience you have under your belt as a pest control contractor, the less likely you are to make costly mistakes, and thus, the less you’ll pay in premiums.
• Claims history: If you have recently filed a claim, then there is a high chance that you’ll file another one in the future. Insurers take this into account and adjust their premiums accordingly. As you might expect, more claims in the past equal to higher premiums in the future.

How to get the cheapest pest control insurance rates

Finding affordable pest control insurance doesn’t mean you have to compromise on coverage. Here are some tips to get the best rates:

• Bundle policies: Purchase multiple policies (like commercial general liability and commercial auto) from the same insurer to qualify for a discount.
• Increase your deductible: Opting for a higher deductible can lower your annual premium. Just be sure you can comfortably afford to pay it in the event of a claim.
• Maintain a good record: A history of safe operations with no claims can lead to lower premiums.