Discover Our All
Insurance Services

Personal Insurance Icon

Personal Insurance

Commercial Insurance Icon

Commercial Insurance

Farm Insurance Icon

Farm Insurance

Environmental risk is real and costly.

From construction sites and manufacturing plants to large commercial portfolios, even minor pollution incidents can trigger significant regulatory fines, legal action, and costly cleanup efforts.

At ONA, we provide environmental insurance coverage designed to protect Ontario businesses and property owners from the growing risks of environmental liability.

With access to Canada’s leading insurers, ONA offers expert guidance and custom coverage that meets your legal responsibilities and protects your long-term operations.

Commercial Insurance | Environmental Insurance

Who Needs Environmental Insurance?

Environmental exposures can affect businesses in nearly every industry. 
You don’t need to be handling toxic waste to face environmental liability. If you own, operate, build, or manage property, environmental insurance in Ontario helps you reduce risk and stay compliant. ONA works with a broad range of businesses and professionals, including:
  • General and specialty contractors
  • Developers and builders
  • Commercial and residential property managers
  • Manufacturers and processors
  • Warehousing and logistics firms
  • Environmental consultants and remediation companies
  • Farmers and agricultural operators
  • Fuel and chemical storage providers
If your business uses, stores, or transports hazardous materials, or sits on land with historical contamination, environmental insurance is a critical layer of protection.
Who Needs Environmental Insurance? - Oegema, Nicholson & Associates
Why Environmental Liability Coverage - Oegema, Nicholson & Associates

Why Environmental Liability Coverage Is Essential

Accidents can happen quickly, and their consequences can escalate rapidly. Spilled fuel, leaking storage tanks, airborne particles, or ground contamination can cause:
  • Environmental damage to land, air, or water
  • Health impacts to the public or employees
  • Expensive cleanups and soil remediation
  • Government fines and legal penalties
  • Lawsuits from neighbouring properties or municipalities

Environmental liability can also follow you long after an incident has occurred. Even past land use or inherited contamination can trigger claims.

 

ONA helps you plan with environmental liability insurance for Ontario that protects your business from unexpected costs, damage to your reputation, and compliance issues, both now and in the future.

What Does Environmental Insurance Cover?

ONA builds flexible environmental insurance packages tailored to fit your operations. Coverage can include:

Third-Party Bodily Injury and Property Damage

Protects you if contamination causes harm to individuals or damages another party’s property.

On-Site and Off-Site Cleanup Costs

This covers the cost of soil, air, or water remediation, whether the pollution occurs at your site or spreads beyond your property line.

Sudden or Gradual Pollution Events

Policies can address both accidental spills and long-term contamination that develops over time.

Business Interruption

This helps replace lost income if an environmental issue forces your operations to pause temporarily.

Legal Defence Costs

Covers legal fees and regulatory fines related to environmental claims or investigations.

Contractor’s Pollution Liability

For contractors working on high-risk projects, this coverage protects against pollution-related claims that arise from job site activities.

Storage Tank Liability

Covers environmental damages and cleanup costs related to underground or above-ground storage tanks for fuel and chemicals.

Every policy is different. ONA brokers will help you assess your exposure and develop a coverage package that meets your industry standards, legal requirements, and site-specific risks.

Ontario’s Environmental Regulations - Oegema, Nicholson & Associates

Ontario’s Environmental Regulations: What You Need to Know

Environmental laws in Ontario are detailed and actively enforced. Businesses are required to comply with provincial and federal regulations regarding pollution, waste management, and hazardous materials. These include: Without proper insurance, your business could be fully responsible for cleanup costs, health damages, and regulatory penalties, even if the incident wasn’t intentional. ONA helps ensure that your insurance coverage aligns with these requirements, giving you peace of mind in the face of complex regulations.

Why Choose ONA for Environmental Insurance?

Industry-Specific Knowledge

ONA has decades of experience working with high-risk industries across Ontario. We understand the operational realities, insurance language, and environmental compliance issues you face every day.

Brokerage Advantage

As an independent broker, ONA has access to top-tier insurers and underwriters. That means more options, better pricing, and policies that are tailored to your needs.

Personalized Service

From evaluating your site exposure to reviewing contracts and lease agreements, ONA is here to support your business at every step. We offer honest, straightforward advice, no technical jargon, just smart protection.

Ongoing Policy Support

As your operations evolve, we’ll help you adjust your coverage. Whether you’re expanding locations, decommissioning a site, or entering new industries, we’ll make sure your insurance grows with you.

Personal Properties - Oegema, Nicholson & Associates

Coverage for Mixed-Use and Personal Properties

Environmental risk isn’t limited to industrial properties. Contamination can also impact residential real estate, home-based businesses, hospitality businesses, and rental buildings—especially in urban areas or near former industrial zones.

ONA provides solutions for:

  • Residential developers and builders
  • Landlords and condo corporations
  • Homeowners with fuel storage tanks
  • Rural and agricultural properties

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Environmental Insurance required by law?
It is not legally required in all cases, but it is strongly recommended. Many municipalities, financial lenders, and clients will require proof of environmental liability coverage before issuing permits, contracts, or financing.
What’s the difference between Commercial General Liability and Environmental Insurance?

Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies usually exclude pollution-related incidents. Environmental insurance fills that gap, offering protection for claims related to contamination, hazardous materials, and environmental damage.

Do contractors need Environmental Insurance?
Yes. Contractors working in excavation, demolition, roofing, HVAC, fuel delivery, and infrastructure projects often face pollution risks on the job. Contractor’s Pollution Liability coverage can help protect your business from claims, fines, and site restoration costs.
image

Request an Environmental Insurance Quote Today

Environmental risk is complex, but your insurance doesn’t have to be. ONA makes it simple to get the right coverage, stay compliant, and protect your business from unexpected environmental liabilities.

 

Whether you’re managing a construction site, purchasing a commercial property, or operating a facility that handles hazardous materials, we’ll help you build a plan that fits your risk and budget.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Real stories from people who trust
Oegema, Nicholson & Associates Insurance

Google Review Icon

Service Areas

Insuring Individuals and Businesses in Ottawa and Beyond

Contact Us

Let’s Talk Insurance
Get in Touch For a Free Consultation