Program Overview — Access E&S Insurance Services
Access E&S Insurance Services offers an Environmental Engineers Professional/General Liability program designed for agents placing professional and general liability for environmental engineering and consulting firms. This E&S (excess & surplus) solution pairs professional errors & omissions protection with general liability features tailored to the unique exposures of environmental consultants, remediation oversight, and field sampling operations. The program is placed through non-admitted markets and is available in AZ, CA, CO, NV, TX, and WA.
Ideal Accounts and Target Classes
- Small to mid-sized environmental engineering firms and consultancies
- Companies performing Phase I/II ESAs, site assessments, sampling and monitoring
- Stormwater management and erosion control design consultants
- Environmental permitting and compliance consultants
- Laboratory services tied to environmental testing (limited scope)
Accounts with routine fieldwork, limited on-site remediation, and clear scope-of-services generally fit best. Firms with heavy contractor-style remediation, large-scale soil handling, or ongoing on-site excavation may require specialized contractors’ pollution or remediation-specific placements and are often outside this program’s appetite.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Combined professional liability (E&O) and general liability options to address both technical errors and third-party bodily injury/property damage
- Pollution-related liability extensions appropriate for sampling, testing, and limited remediation oversight
- Completed operations and contractual liability available to support common consulting contracts
- Flexible limits and terms through various E&S carriers to match client risk profiles
- Underwriter expertise in environmental engineering exposures helps secure terms for accounts that are difficult to place in admitted markets
Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums
Underwriters typically request:
- Completed applications describing services rendered and percentage of revenue by task
- Current loss runs and prior claims details
- Sample contracts or professional services agreements (to evaluate indemnity and hold-harmless obligations)
- Resumes or descriptions of key personnel when specialized technical services are provided
Minimum premium: varies by carrier and state. Because coverage is placed in E&S markets, terms and minimums can be more flexible than admitted markets but will reflect the account’s exposures and loss history.
Territories and Placement Positioning
This program is available through Access E&S Insurance Services in AZ, CA, CO, NV, TX, and WA. Coverage is provided through non-admitted E&S carriers (various markets), so agents should be prepared to explain non-admitted placement implications to insureds and confirm state-specific filing and premium tax requirements when binding.
Why Place Environmental Engineers Business With Access E&S
- Access to multiple E&S carriers experienced with environmental and professional risks
- Underwriters who understand consultant workflows and common contract exposures
- Ability to place accounts that are marginal in admitted markets due to past losses, contract wording, or unique field operations
- Practical appetite for a range of small to mid-size environmental practices across six western states
Example fits: you might have a five-person firm performing Phase I/II site assessments for commercial real estate developers, or a mid-sized consultant providing stormwater design and regulatory compliance services. Both could be placed under this program with tailored limits and pollution endorsements appropriate to their operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of environmental engineering accounts are a good fit for this program?
This program targets small to mid-sized environmental and engineering consultants engaged in site assessments, sampling, permitting, stormwater design, and compliance consulting. Firms performing heavy on-site remediation, large-scale excavation, or soil handling typically need specialized contractor pollution or remediation placements and may not fit.
What limits and extensions are commonly available?
Limits and extensions vary by carrier but commonly include combined E&O and GL limits, completed operations, contractual liability, and pollution extensions for sampling and oversight. Underwriters will propose limits based on revenue, operations, and loss history.
What underwriting information should I submit to get a quick decision?
Submit a completed application, revenue breakdown by service, current loss runs, sample client contracts, and a brief description of on-site versus office-based activities. Including resumes for technical principals helps when specialized services are provided.
Is this an admitted program and which states are supported?
This is an excess & surplus (non-admitted) placement offered by Access E&S Insurance Services. The program is currently available in AZ, CA, CO, NV, TX, and WA. Agents should verify non-admitted filing and premium tax obligations for insureds in those states.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.