Unprecedented Events
Be ready when life happens. These unprecedented claims situations illustrate the variety of environmental exposures that could affect your customers!
A retail store with an underground parking garage was in the path of a severe hurricane. As a result of the heavy rains, the lowest level of the parking garage was completely flooded. The flooding caused a backup of sewage as well as gasoline and other automotive fluids to be released from vehicles left in the garage during the storm. Cleanup was required for both the petroleum impacts and the sewage. In addition, a business interruption claim was made due to the odor impacting the ability to operate the retail store above.
A warehouse portion of a manufacturing facility went unused for several weeks. Without the knowledge of the insured, vandals broke into the warehouse and stole approximately seventy feet of copper piping. The broken pipes caused an outbreak of mold to develop within the shared walls of the facility. Cleanup of the mold was required, and costs were incurred.
A gas leak occurred after operating hours at a manufacturing plant. The safety alarms alerted the facility response system which triggered the night-shift operators at the plant to release a deluge of water to dissipate the gas fumes. Fortunately, there were no claims of bodily injury at or near the facility and there was no resulting property damage. However, the insured did incur public relations costs.