I was detailing a car at 7:30 AM in a quiet suburb. My generator was humming away. A neighbor came out screaming about “disturbing the peace.” Two weeks later, I got a legal letter suing for “Nuisance” and “Loss of Quiet Enjoyment,” demanding I stop working in the neighborhood and asking for $5,000 in damages for “stress.”
Key Takeaways
- General Liability Covers “Non-Physical” Injury: GL doesn’t just cover slips and falls. It often covers “Personal Injury,” which includes wrongful eviction and invasion of the right of private occupancy (nuisance).
- The “Pollution” Trap: Some insurers define noise as “Pollution” (Noise Pollution). If your policy has a “Total Pollution Exclusion,” they might deny the defense.
- Ordinance Violation: If you were operating outside of legal noise ordinance hours (e.g., before 8 AM), insurance might deny coverage for “Illegal Acts.”
- Defense Costs: The real value here isn’t paying the $5,000; it’s the insurance company hiring a lawyer to write a letter telling the neighbor to go away.
The “Why” (The Trap): “Pollutants” include Sound
While rare, some aggressive exclusions define “Pollutants” as “solid, liquid, gaseous, or thermal irritants or contaminants, including smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, chemicals, and waste.”
Some courts have ruled noise is a contaminant.
However, a good standard GL policy should defend you against a nuisance suit unless you were willfully violating the law.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I asked agents about noise complaints.
1. Standard GL (Next Insurance)
- Verdict: “Personal Injury” coverage would likely trigger a defense. They would assign a lawyer to check local ordinances.
- Outcome: If I was legal (7:30 AM is often legal), they defend me. If I was illegal (5 AM), they might reserve rights.
2. Legal Defense Plan (LegalShield)
- Verdict: For $30/mo, this is a better route for nuisance suits. They write the “Cease and Desist Harassment” letter to the neighbor.
Comparison Table: Noise Liability
| Claim Type | Covered by GL? | Covered by Pollution Policy? |
| “You woke me up” | Yes (Personal Injury) | No |
| “Fumes entered my house” | Denied (Pollution) | Yes |
| “Hearing Damage” | Yes (Bodily Injury) | No |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Check Noise Ordinances: Google “Noise Ordinance [City Name].” Print it out. Keep it in the van. If the limit is 7 AM to 10 PM, and you are working at 7:30 AM, you are bulletproof.
- Baffle Box: Build or buy a sound-dampening box for your generator. It lowers the dB and shows “good faith.”
- Park Strategically: Park the generator side of the van away from the neighbor’s window.
- Notify the Insurer: If you get a lawyer letter, send it to insurance immediately. Do not reply yourself.
FAQ
Q: Can I use a long extension cord instead?
A: Yes, plugging into the customer’s house (with permission) eliminates the generator noise and the liability risk.
Q: Is the neighbor’s harassment covered?
A: No, but you can file a restraining order if they threaten you.
[IMAGE: Graphic showing a generator decibel meter reading vs. a “Baffle Box” reading.]