I was doing a mobile detail on a client’s pristine paver driveway. I tipped over my bottle of heavy-duty wheel acid (hydrofluoric cleaner). It soaked into the expensive stone pavers instantly, bleaching them white and eating the sealant. The homeowner wants the entire driveway resurfaced—a $15,000 job.
Key Takeaways
- This IS General Liability: Unlike the car itself, the driveway is “Third Party Property” that you are not working on. Your General Liability (GL) policy should cover this.
- The Pollution Trap: Some GL policies have an “Absolute Pollution Exclusion.” If they define your acid cleaner as a “pollutant,” they might deny the claim.
- “Completed Operations” doesn’t apply: This is an “Operations” claim (happened while working), which is generally easier to get paid than something that happens a week later.
- Neutralize Immediately: Your best insurance is a bag of baking soda. Mitigating the damage immediately shows “good faith” to the adjuster.
The “Why” (The Trap): The “Pollutant” Definition
Standard GL policies cover property damage. However, many cheap policies attach a Total Pollution Exclusion Endorsement.
This clause excludes damage arising from the “discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release or escape of pollutants.”
Insurers have successfully argued in court that strong acids are “pollutants.” If your adjuster takes a hard line, they could deny the driveway claim based on this environmental clause.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I shopped for mobile detailing policies with chemical spills in mind.
1. Progressive Commercial
- The Verdict: Generally covers damage to premises (driveways).
- The Note: They advised buying a “Voluntary Property Damage” endorsement to cover minor mishaps without a full liability investigation.
2. Hiscox
- The Verdict: Strict pollution exclusions.
- My Analysis: Great for consultants, risky for detailers handling hazmat chemicals.
3. Garage Specialist
- The Verdict: Offered “Broadened Pollution Liability” specifically for service stations and detailers. This covers the acid spill explicitly.
Comparison Table: Driveway Damage Coverage
| Policy Feature | Standard GL | GL with Pollution Rider | Voluntary Property Damage |
| Covers Acid Spill | Maybe (Risk of Denial) | Yes | Yes (Up to sub-limit) |
| Limit | $1 Million | $50k – $100k | Low ($2,500) |
| Deductible | $500 – $1,000 | $1,000 | $250 |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Contain and Neutralize: Dump water and baking soda/alkaline cleaner on it NOW. Stop the etching.
- Check Your GL Policy: Search the PDF for “Pollution.” If you see “Total Pollution Exclusion,” call your agent to see if “hostile fire or fluids used in business” are excepted.
- Get a Paver Quote: Don’t guess the cost. Get a mason to quote cleaning/resealing vs. replacement. Often, acid stains can be tinted or acid-washed to match rather than replaced.
- File Under GL: Submit this as a “Property Damage” claim. Do not let them classify it as “Professional Liability.”
FAQ
Q: Does the homeowner’s insurance cover it?
A: They might claim it, but their insurer will subrogate (sue) you to get the money back.
Q: Can I just flip the pavers?
A: Sometimes yes! Suggest this to the homeowner. It costs labor but saves materials.
[IMAGE: Photo of a driveway with a large white acid burn mark.]