• Pollution-exclusion clauses may take one of two forms: (1) sudden and accidental, and (2) absolute. The sudden-and-accidental clause, usu. limited to policies issued before 1985, contains an exception under which the damages are covered (i.e., exempted from the exclusion) if the discharge or other release was sudden and accidental. The absolute pollution exclusion, in most policies issued since 1985, does not contain this exception. [Cases: Insurance 2278(17). C.J.S. Insurance §§ 954, 1127.]
pollution exclusion
A provision in some commercial general liability policies, excluding coverage for bodily injury or property damages arising from the discharge, dispersal, release, or escape of chemicals, waste, acid, and other pollutants.
