What Insurance Do B.C. Pest Control Businesses Need?

June 10, 2025

Your B.C. pest control business gets rid of pesky problems, but it’s a job with risks. Do you have enough business liability insurance to protect your business against lawsuits and claims?

When you’re dealing with on-the-job hazards, pest control insurance protects you from an accident, mishap, or legal claim whether you are working in a B.C. residential home or a commercial building.

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What is pest control insurance?

When you run a pest control business in British Columbia, you are getting rid of unwanted rodents, bed bugs, cockroaches, and other pesky insects or creatures with the use of chemicals, traps, or barriers.

Pest control insurance is insurance that specifically covers the risks that you face as a residential or commercial exterminator.

Without pest control insurance, you would be responsible for paying for an accident, incident, or lawsuit out of your pocket. Could you afford that as a B.C. pest control contractor?

Who needs pest control insurance?

• Residential and commercial pest control companies
• Fumigators
• Insect control companies
• Wildlife control companies
• Rodent control companies

How much does B.C. pest control insurance coverage cost?

The following factors are usually considered for pest control insurance:

• What services do you provide?
• Number of employees
• Years in business
• Annual revenue
• Location
• Any past claims
• Value of tools and equipment
• Any professional certifications

Examples of how pest control insurance protects you

1. Residue was left behind after fumigation, making the homeowners sick. They have sued your B.C. pest control company. Your pollution liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance can help cover your legal fees and any uninsured medical expenses.

2. Cyber thieves hack your computer system, stealing your client’s financial information. Your cyber liability insurance can help you recover financially from a cyber-attack and restore your computer system.

3. Tools and equipment have been stolen from your B.C. commercial/residential pest exterminator business. Your tools and equipment insurance coverage provides financial protection for any transportable tools or equipment that your pest exterminator business uses to do work. Any item valued at less than $1,500 is considered a tool. Anything valued above $1,500 is considered equipment.

Liability insurance is a key part of your B.C. pest control insurance package. Here are the liability coverages that you need to help protect your B.C. business from lawsuits.

Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance

This is necessary liability insurance for B.C. pest control businesses. Without CGL insurance, you will pay costs related to third-party (customer/supplier) injuries or damage to their property out of your own pocket.

If you were sued, commercial general liability insurance would help cover the legal costs to defend the claim against your B.C. pest control business in court, as well as costs to cover damages to compensate third parties whether you win or lose your case.

Pollution liability insurance

It’s strongly recommended that pest control businesses in British Columbia have pollution liability insurance. You may also hear it called environmental insurance.

Pollution liability insurance helps cover the cost of damages to a customer’s property or to their health caused by a toxic substance you used in the course of your work.

Professional liability insurance

This type of insurance is also known as errors and omissions insurance.

If you are faced with a lawsuit as a B.C. exterminator, professional liability insurance can help protect you against loss in the event of a lawsuit due to a negligent act, or an error or omission in the course of your services. Professional liability insurance can help cover your legal costs and related costs.

Cyber liability insurance

If your B.C. pest control business stores your customers’ names, addresses and credit card information digitally and your computer system is hacked, cybercriminals can sell this information.

Without cyber insurance, you will need to pay out of your pocket for the cost of restoring your system. You may also be liable for damages to third parties whose information has been stolen.

What other insurance do B.C. pest control businesses need?

Tools and equipment insurance

Any item valued at less than $1,500 is considered a tool. Anything valued above $1,500 is considered equipment.

Tools and equipment insurance provides financial protection for any transportable tools or equipment that your B.C. pest control company uses to do work.

Tools and equipment Insurance can provide reimbursement to repair or replace tools and equipment if they are lost, damaged, or stolen. Insured events apply to tools and equipment that are vandalized, stolen, lost, or damaged by fire or flood.

Mobile property insurance

If you regularly move equipment to different work locations as part of your B.C. pest exterminator business, mobile property insurance provides coverage for property that you don't store at a fixed location, or for equipment routinely taken off site.

Mobile property insurance covers transit. It also covers theft that could happen due to property not being stored in a secure location, as opposed to commercial property insurance that covers property generally expected to be in a specific location.

Commercial property insurance

It provides financial support to replace or repair your B.C. pest company’s office or equipment storage warehouse if it is damaged by a flood, fire, or severe weather. It also covers vandalism and theft.

Commercial property insurance covers the building’s contents such as computers, furniture, tools, equipment, and inventory. Commercial property coverage also extends to protect others’ property that is under your care.

Commercial vehicle insurance is important

When you or your employees are on the road travelling to a job site in British Columbia, commercial vehicle insurance may cover your vehicles in the case of an accident. Your personal vehicle insurance will not cover you in the case of an accident if the work is related to your B.C. pest business. If you have more than 5 vehicles for your extermination business, you will need fleet insurance.

5 FAQs about business insurance

What is business insurance?

Business insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects businesses from financial losses caused by various risks, such as lawsuits and third-party (customer/supplier) injuries and property damages.

What is business liability insurance?

Business liability insurance financially protects businesses in the event they are legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage caused to third parties, such as clients, suppliers, or members of the public. It helps cover the costs of lawsuits, settlements, and legal fees.

What is a certificate of insurance?

A certificate of insurance outlines the business insurance coverage and policy limits provided under your insurance policy on the date the certificate is issued. It’s issued free of charge by your business insurance provider.

Why is commercial general liability (CGL) insurance important?

It protects you financially against lawsuits. A CGL policy helps cover the legal costs and any settlements awarded if your business is found legally liable for an injury to a third party either on or off your premises. For example, if a customer slips and falls on a wet floor at your business and gets injured, they can file a lawsuit against your business for any injury that was caused.

Does my home insurance cover my home-based business?

A homeowner’s policy may offer a small amount of coverage for books, tools, and instruments necessary for a business, profession, or occupation, but you should check your policy carefully. The insurance you need depends on your home-based business activities. If you have customers coming to your home office, children who come to your at-home daycare, or employees who work in your home, the potential exists for someone to get hurt. In this case, you’ll need liability insurance.