Pests are notorious creatures that invade homes or offices. These fall out from the league of cleaning businesses. People often rely on professional exterminators to eliminate these creepy animals. However, although exterminators are qualified to eradicate pests safely, accidents may happen. If you are an exterminator, you must safeguard yourself from these unexpected mishaps by having pest control insurance.
Do You Need Insurance as a Pest Exterminator?
Yes, a pest exterminator should have valid pest control insurance coverage. This job comes with several risks, and insurance coverage will offer protection in any accident. For instance, if an employee gets sick due to exposure to chemicals or when property damage occurs while offering pest control services. The insurance will help cover any bodily harm or reimbursement for the client’s financial losses.
When investing in pest control business insurance, you need to account for all the risks that your business may pose, such as:
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Employee or client exposure to the harmful chemicals
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Personal or employee injuries
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Environmental risks
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Property damage
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Auto accidents
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Professional liability risks
Pest Control Insurance Requirements
The pest control insurance requirements depend on the regulation of the business and the state’s policies. But generally, all pest control businesses must consider the following coverage:
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General liability insurance
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Professional liability insurance
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Pollution liability insurance
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Commercial property insurance
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Workers compensation insurance
General Liability Insurance for Pest Exterminators
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $1000,000 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Excluded | No |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | Excluded | Excluded | Can be included |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Excluded | Can be included |
| Can you get a certificate of insurance online? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
General liability insurance for pest exterminators will protect your business against unforeseen risks. It will cover settlements or legal defense if a third party, such as your customer, is injured during pest control activities. For clients to hire your business, they need assurance that you have this type of insurance.
Costs Covered by General Liability Insurance for Pest Exterminators
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Bodily injury–If your client suffers any injury due to exposure to the chemicals or as a result of your work, pest control general liability insurance will cover legal fees, settlements, or medical expenses
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Property damage–During your work, you can accidentally damage your client’s property. The insurance will cover all the costs of repairs and replacement
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Product liability–If the products or services you offer harm clients. This insurance covers all the legal costs, judgments, or settlements against your company
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Advertising injury–Protects your company against any claims of false advertising or intellectual property infringement. This coverage is essential if your business relies on marketing and advertising for business exposure or growth
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Products and completed operations–Suppose your customer experiences problems with your services after the job is complete. Your insurance will cover corrective actions or the cost of repairs
Add-Ons to Pest Control General Liability Insurance
Endorsements or add-ons in general liability insurance are extra coverages in the base policy. They offer comprehensive protection and address unique risks. Add-ons to this pest control liability insurance are:
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Pollution liability coverage–Grants coverage for lawsuits, environmental restitution, and third-party medical expenses if pesticides result in a pollution incident that affects forest, wildlife, or human dwelling
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Professional liability coverage–Though not common, some insurance companies offer professional liability insurance for pest control business as an add-on to general liability insurance for easier policy management
Professional Liability Insurance for Pest Exterminators
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $20,000/$25,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $50/$10,000 | $500 |
When offering your pest control services, errors or omissions can happen. Professional liability insurance, also called professional indemnity insurance, will cover court costs, lawyer fees, judgments, and settlements. Pest control professional indemnity insurance will help you cover various risks, such as:
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Misapplication of pesticides
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Breach of contract
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Claims of negligence
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Failure to treat a pest infestation
Add-Ons to Pest Control Professional Indemnity Insurance
License defense coverage is an add-on available to the professional indemnity insurance included in pest control insurance programs. This grants a coverage for legal expenses in case licensing boards conduct an investigation to suspend or terminate a pest exterminator’s license.
What is Retroactive Coverage for Pest Control Professional Indemnity Insurance, and Why is It Important?
Retroactive coverage is an optional add-on to professional indemnity insurance that covers claims arising from incidents before the policy period. This can be particularly important for pest exterminators who may have unknowingly made errors or omissions in the past that could result in future claims or lawsuits. Understanding the terms and cost of retroactive coverage can help pest exterminators ensure they have adequate protection for their business.
How Can Pest Control Professional Indemnity Insurance Help Exterminators Maintain Their Professional Reputation?
In addition to providing financial protection for claims and lawsuits, professional indemnity insurance can help pest exterminators maintain their professional reputation. Professional indemnity insurance can give clients confidence in the exterminator’s abilities and help build trust and long-term relationships.
Pest Control Public Liability Insurance
Similar to general liability insurance, pest control public liability insurance covers third party claims for bodily injuries or property damage. However, this policy doesn’t have the add-ons commonly found in a general liability policy. Therefore, public liability insurance is a less comprehensive version of general liability insurance. This pest control insurance coverage is ideal for exterminators that work as a one-man team.
Pollution Liability Insurance for Pest Exterminators
If you own a pest control company, your chemicals can cause environmental pollution. Thus, it would be best if you had pollution liability insurance. This pest insurance covers any damages due to the release of pollutants. The insurance will help cover legal fees and cleanup costs. Add-ons to the insurance cover include:
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Coverage of non-owned disposal sites
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First-party clean costs
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Transportation of hazardous materials
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Commercial Property Insurance for Pest Exterminators
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Hiscox | Thimble | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $60,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $60,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | Included | $5,000/$10,000 | Excluded |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | Included | $1,000 | Excluded |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | Included | $2,500 | Excluded |
Commercial property insurance covers damage to your physical assets, such as equipment or buildings. It helps protect your business against financial losses due to risks such as theft, fire, or natural disasters. Add-ons to this insurance may include coverage for specific risks such as earthquakes or floods. You must discuss with your insurance company to tailor the policy to your specific needs.
Business Owner’s Policy for Pest Exterminators
| CoverWallet | Thimble | NEXT (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $500,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $75,000 |
| Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A business owner’s policy is also referred to as BOP. This coverage combines commercial property and general liability insurance at a lower cost. It will protect your business against property damage and lawsuits.
The costs covered under this policy can include bodily injury, advertising injury, and property injury. It also covers your business assets, such as equipment, buildings, or inventory. In the event of property damage due to accidents such as fires or natural disasters, this comprehensive policy will protect you against financial losses.
Add-ons on the BOP can cater to your unique needs. For instance, if you live in an area prone to earthquakes, you can include earthquake coverage as an addition to the policy.
Commercial Auto Insurance for Pest Exterminators
When considering insurance for pest control operators, you need to include a commercial auto policy. Typically, it covers all the vehicles you use for business purposes. This coverage is essential to protect against damage or accidents to your company’s vehicles.
The costs covered by the policy can include bodily injury or property damage due to accidents that involve your business vehicles. It also covers vandalism, theft, or collision damage to vehicles.
Add-ons on commercial auto insurance for pest exterminators may include coverage on non-owned or rented trucks. It can also include coverage for additional employees or drivers.
Excess Liability Insurance for Pest Exterminators
Excess liability insurance, also known as umbrella insurance, provides extra coverage not offered by the primary liability insurance policy. It can help your pest control business in scenarios where your liability exceeds the limits of the primary insurance policy.
Workers Compensation Insurance for Pest Exterminators
Workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits to your employees. If any employee falls ill or is injured on your work premises, this insurance policy will compensate them. Workers compensation insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, death benefits, and rehabilitation expenses. The limits of workers compensation insurance depend on the workers comp law of the state where your business is located. Failure to get this policy when you have employees is punishable by law.
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Pest Control Insurance Cost
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability insurance | $70 | $840 | $0-$500 |
| Professional liability insurance | $80 | $960 | $500-$1,000 |
| Excess liability insurance | $72 | $864 | $500-$1,000 |
| Pollution liability insurance | $78 | $936 | |
| Commercial property insurance | $115 | $1,380 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Business owner’s policy | $185 | $2,220 | $1,500 |
| Commercial auto insurance | $82 | $984 | $500-$1,000 |
| Workers compensation insurance | $150 | $1,800 | $1,000-$2,000 |
The average pest control insurance cost is $70 per month or $840 per year for a $1 million general liability policy. Factors that affect the cost of premiums are claims history, business history, annual revenue, and number of employees. Here’s a table giving a further idea of the average cost of pest control insurance by showing the rates of companies we recommend:
| NEXT | $35 | $420 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for pest exterminators |
|---|---|---|---|
| CoverWallet | $50 | $600 | Comparing pest exterminator insurance quotes online |
| The Hartford | $30 | $360 | Pest control businesses that value customer service and reliability |
| Tivly | $40 | $480 | Comparing pest control insurance quotes over the phone |
| Thimble | $55 | $660 | Pest control professionals who work on a project basis and require insurance coverage only for specific jobs |
| Hiscox | $40 | $480 | Small businesses need customizable pest control insurance policies tailored to their needs |
Compare quotes yourself for a very solid understand of pest control business insurance cost estimates. Start by clicking the “Get Quotes” button on this page.
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Best Pest Control Insurance Companies
Many insurance companies offer cheap pest control insurance policies. But you must be careful when selecting an insurer as some may fraudulently refuse to settle claims. Here we look at some of the most reputable pest control insurance companies in the market.
NEXT Pest Control Insurance
Pros
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User-friendly virtual platform
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Customizable insurance plans
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Affordable pricing
Cons
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Only offer support online
NEXT insurer that offers a range of insurance products. They deal with a variety of industries, including pest control businesses. You can easily apply for their insurance policies online.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for pest exterminators
Average cost: $35 per month
Our rating: 10/10
CoverWallet Pest Control Insurance
Pros
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Access to many insurance providers
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User friendly virtual platform
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Customizable insurance policies
Cons
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It can be expensive for smaller businesses
CoverWallet is a digital insurance brokerage company that offers a wide array of insurance products. They collaborate with multiple insurance carriers to offer customers flexibility regarding insurance policies.
Best for: Comparing pest exterminator insurance quotes online
Average cost: $50 per month
Our rating: 10/10
The Hartford Pest Control Insurance
Pros
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Reputation for excellent customer service
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Provides online tools and resources
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Offers customizable pest control insurance policies
Cons
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Their policies and coverage limits are limited to some states
The Hartford has been a trusted insurance company in business for many years. This company offers online tools and resources to help your business to manage its policies and claims. Their pest control insurance coverage is customized to meet the needs of clients.
Best for: Pest control businesses that value customer service and reliability
Average cost: $30 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Tivly Pest Control Insurance
Pros
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Compare quotes over the phone
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Offers a variety of insurance products
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Customized insurance recommendations
Cons
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No mobile app
Tivly grants coverage for pest exterminators with poor business claims history. They personalize their policies depending on the specific needs of your company. This company offers the best deals for businesses looking for affordable pest exterminator insurance coverage. Call now to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing pest control insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $40 per month
Our rating: 8/10
Thimble Pest Control Insurance
Pros
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Offers on-demand insurance policies
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Have a fast and easy application process
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Offers comprehensive liability coverage options
Cons
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Their coverage limits are not ideal for all pest control businesses
Thimble, in their few years of operation, have offered on-demand insurance policies for small businesses. Their fast and easy application process makes them outstanding in the market. Moreover, add-ons can be easily added to the general liability insurance and business owner’s policy that Thimble sells.
Best for: Pest control professionals who work on a project basis and require insurance coverage only for specific jobs
Average cost: $55 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Hiscox Pest Control Insurance
Pros
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Offers a range of insurance policies
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Insurance policies can be customized
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Offer online quotes and claims
Cons
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Their customer service is not very responsive
Hiscox is a global insurance company that offers insurance solutions for businesses. The company is known for its innovative approach to its service delivery. They have invested heavily in digital technology that allows customers to easily include policy upgrades and customize limits.
Best for: Small businesses need customizable pest control insurance policies tailored to their needs
Average cost: $40 per month
Our rating: 8/10
