Port Angeles Fuel Truck Crash Exposes Major Gaps in Pollution Liability and Cleanup Coverage

 

On July 18, 2025, a fuel tanker crashed off U.S. 101 near Port Angeles, Washington. Thousands of gallons of diesel and gasoline spilled into Indian Creek, a tributary of the Elwha River.

The impact was immediate:

  • Dead fish floated downstream
  • Port Angeles shut down its water supply
  • Crews scrambled to contain the spill
  • The cost? Still climbing 

This wasn’t just a crash. It was a full blown environmental disaster. And if you're in the trucking business, it should make you stop and ask:

So what happens when your load becomes a liability?

What Happened: A Fuel Truck Spill with Real Consequences

The truck, operated by PetroCard, was hauling 6,000 gallons of diesel and 4,000 gallons of gasoline when it left the roadway and overturned into the creek. About 3,000 gallons leaked into the surrounding water, contaminating one of the most sensitive ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest.

The results were catastrophic:

  • Hundreds to thousands of juvenile salmon, lamprey, and other fish species were killed
  • Port Angeles issued a Do Not Drink advisory, disrupting water access for thousands
  • Cleanup operations launched immediately with booms, vacuums, and manual collection
  • The driver was cited for negligent driving

The truck’s contents didn’t just pollute the creek. They disrupted an entire city’s infrastructure and damaged a federally protected fish habitat.

How Environmental Liability Insurance Comes Into Play

This is where pollution liability insurance and environmental cleanup coverage make all the difference. Here’s what smart carriers already know.

1. Pollution Isn’t Always Gradual

Many assume environmental liability only applies to slow leaks over time. But under federal and state regulations, sudden and accidental spills like this crash can trigger massive cleanup demands.

2. You Can Be Liable Even If It’s an Accident

If your truck causes a spill, you are responsible for the environmental damage even if your driver wasn’t reckless. That includes:

  • Fuel cleanup
  • Soil and water testing
  • Wildlife recovery
  • Long term monitoring 

3. You Need Pollution Coverage Built for Trucking

Some commercial auto policies exclude pollution events unless you specifically endorse it or carry a separate pollution liability policy. It’s not just about the truck. It’s about what’s in it and what happens when it spills.

What Insurance Coverages Matter Here

If you're hauling fuel, chemicals, or anything that can leak into the environment, these are the coverages that can make or break you after a spill.

Pollution Liability (MCS 90 or a separate CPL policy) pays for environmental damage caused by a fuel or hazmat spill. That includes emergency response, soil and water remediation, wildlife recovery, and bodily injury to others. The MCS 90 endorsement is federally required for some interstate carriers, but it's not a true insurance policy. It's a guarantee to the public, not protection for your company. If you don’t carry actual pollution coverage, the financial burden still lands on you.

Environmental Impairment Liability goes further. It covers the long-term environmental consequences like the decline of fish populations, contamination of ecosystems, or habitat restoration. It can also respond to regulatory fines and natural resource damage assessments.

Truckers General Liability protects against accidents that don’t happen on the road but are still part of your operation. For example, if your driver spills fuel while unloading or damages a fuel line during a delivery, this coverage can respond. It fills the gap when damage isn’t caused by vehicle movement but is still your fault.

Hazmat Endorsements aren’t insurance themselves, but they are a critical part of staying covered. If you’re hauling gasoline, diesel, or chemicals, your drivers and units need the proper DOT certifications. Carriers have denied claims when hazmat wasn’t disclosed or endorsed on the policy.

Emergency Spill Response Coverage is often overlooked. Some policies offer access to rapid response contractors and cleanup crews. This matters because faster containment means less damage and fewer fines. If you don’t know who your insurer calls when something spills, find out.

Auto Liability with a Pollution Buyback Endorsement is essential. Standard liability policies often exclude pollution unless you specifically add it back in. Without that endorsement, your insurer could deny the claim even if the pollution came from a covered crash.

Hazmat Cargo Insurance is another piece. Just because you have cargo insurance doesn’t mean it covers fuel or hazardous chemicals. These need to be specifically scheduled, or you could find out too late that the load you spilled wasn’t even covered.

Quick Tip

Ask your agent these exact questions:

  • Does my policy include sudden and accidental pollution coverage?
  • What’s my limit for environmental cleanup costs?
  • Are hazmat hauls excluded unless declared or scheduled?
  • Do I have emergency response support built into my policy? 

If they can’t answer or seem unsure, it’s time for a policy review.

Why This Matters for Carriers, Brokers, and Agents

You don’t have to be hauling hazmat to be at risk. If your units carry:

  • Fuel
  • Chemicals
  • Pesticides
  • Industrial waste
  • Paint or solvents 

You are playing with fire unless your insurance program accounts for it.

And this isn’t just a fleet problem. Even owner operators need to check that their coverage includes sudden and accidental pollution, especially if they haul fuel for farms, airports, or marinas.

Lessons from Port Angeles

  1. One spill can tank your entire operation. This wasn’t a million-dollar wreck. It might be a multi-million dollar claim once EPA penalties, fish habitat restoration, and legal fees are factored in.
  2. Communities don’t forget. When trucks poison water and kill wildlife, the brand damage is real. So is the backlash.
  3. Underwriters are watching. A loss like this becomes part of your loss runs, your renewal profile, and your premium history for years to come.

The Bottom Line

If your truck leaks, your coverage better not.

Talk to your agent about pollution liability, cleanup costs, and how environmental exposures are handled in your policy. Because in this industry, the real damage isn’t always what you can see.

Need help making sure your policy protects against events like this?
We’ve seen the exclusions. We’ve fixed the gaps. And we’ll make sure your coverage is tight, no matter what’s in the tank.

📩 Email us at info@trucku.biz for a no pressure policy review.

 


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