Why Saltwater & Chemical Haulers Need Specialised Pollution Liability Coverage
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Saltwater and chemical hauling are some of the highest‑risk roles in the oilfield transportation sector. Many owners search for Oil & Gas Trucking Insurance because traditional trucking insurance often does NOT cover what these haulers are most exposed to: spill‑related environmental damage.
Produced water (saltwater) is chemically complex, containing salts, hydrocarbons, metals, and other contaminants that pose environmental and human‑health risks when released during transportation or handling. In regions like the Permian Basin, operators now generate four to six barrels of produced water for every barrel of oil, increasing the frequency of hauling and the magnitude of risk on the road.
Because of these dangers, specialised pollution liability coverage is no longer optional, it is essential.
1. Standard Auto & General Liability Policies Exclude Pollution
Most commercial auto and general liability policies exclude environmental incidents, including:
Leaks caused by hose or valve failures
Rollover spills
Corrosion‑related tank ruptures
Cleanup and disposal costs
This gap is critical because cleanup operations after a spill can be extremely expensive. Real‑world tanker incidents show how spills into waterways kill wildlife, contaminate drinking water, and require large‑scale remediation.
Only specialised Pollution Liability coverage fills this gap.
2. Chemical Haulers Face Even Higher Exposure
Chemical transporters haul acids, corrosives, emulsifiers, and treatment chemicals, all of which elevate environmental and bodily‑injury risks if spilled.
A single gallon of industrial chemical can trigger:
Hazmat response
Soil removal
Water testing
Regulatory reporting
Long‑term environmental monitoring
Without pollution insurance, these cleanup responsibilities fall fully on the hauler.
3. Operators Are Increasingly Requiring It
Oil & gas operators now frequently include pollution coverage requirements within:
Gate‑pass requirements
Vendor qualification systems (ISNetworld, Avetta, Veriforce)
Haulers without proper environmental coverage often cannot secure new contracts.
4. Protects Your Fleet, Business & Reputation
Specialised Pollution Liability ensures coverage for:
Emergency spill response
Cleanup and remediation
Third‑party property damage
Bodily injury
Legal defence
Contamination during loading/unloading
This protects your operation from catastrophic losses that could permanently shut down your business.
Get Pollution Liability Tailored for Haulers With Wexford Insurance
Wexford Insurance works with oilfield‑focused carriers nationwide to secure coverage designed for saltwater haulers, chemical haulers, vacuum trucks, and all high‑hazard oilfield fleets.
👉 Request your Pollution Liability quote from Wexford Insurance today and protect your business from the risks that standard trucking insurance won’t cover.
