ABSTRACT
The increasing awareness of environmental risks has meant that there is significant interest in assessing whether insurance can, as in many other areas, offer assistance to commercial organisations. The provision of cover for environmental risks nevertheless presents significant challenges for insurers. Revision of the legal framework dealing with contaminated land has clearly raised the profile of this issue, and implementation of the Environment Act should helps to facilitate insurance cover by providing a clearer legal framework in which to operate. The role of environmental management systems (EMS) such as ISO 14001 is of interest to insurers. The improved availability of risk management information from the organisation seeking cover, coupled with improved tools being applied by the insurers, means that some commonly voiced concerns be addressed. The increasing flexibility demonstrated by insurers will therefore see products tailored to individual sectors and companies.
