Insurance in Tasman, New Zealand

At a minimum: public liability, workers compensation (or ACC levies in New Zealand), and professional indemnity if they also do consulting or assessment work. On top of that, many clients and head contractors require pollution liability cover, which is a separate policy that specifically covers claims from the release of hazardous materials like asbestos fibres during removal.

Usually not. Most home and contents policies in Australia and New Zealand exclude asbestos removal or remediation costs. Some will cover damage from an insured event that happens to involve asbestos, like a storm ripping off asbestos roofing, but the actual removal and disposal is treated as a maintenance or compliance cost. If you are buying or renovating an older property, read your policy wording and ask your insurer directly about asbestos exclusions.

It covers claims and cleanup costs from the accidental release of pollutants, including asbestos fibres. Standard public liability policies normally exclude pollution events, so this is a separate or add-on policy. For removal contractors, it covers things like a containment failure where fibres escape the work area, or waste being damaged in transit. It is not compulsory everywhere, but many head contractors and government clients will not engage a removalist without it.