Completed Operations Insurance for Residential Roofing Contractors
Completed operations coverage protects your roofing company from claims arising after you finish a job and leave the site. A roof that leaks six months after installation, or flashing that fails during the first heavy rain, can generate claims long after your crew packed up. This coverage is typically included as part of your CGL policy but must be properly structured.
What It Covers
Completed operations covers bodily injury or property damage caused by work you have already finished. If an improperly sealed flashing causes water intrusion that damages a homeowner's ceiling, walls, and personal property, this coverage pays for the resulting damage. It covers claims arising from defective installation, improper ventilation that causes mold, and structural damage from roofing work completed months or years prior.
What It Does Not Cover
Completed operations does not cover the cost to redo or repair your own faulty work (that is a business expense, not an insurable loss). It excludes warranty obligations, claims arising from known defects you failed to disclose, and damage that occurs during active operations (that falls under premises/operations coverage). Most policies have a sunset period, typically two to five years.
Real Claim Examples
A roof installed eight months ago develops a leak at a valley flashing joint, causing $35,000 in water damage to the homeowner's second-floor bedrooms and personal belongings. Improperly installed ridge vent allows moisture into the attic, leading to mold growth discovered a year later. A re-roofed section fails in a windstorm because of inadequate nail patterns, sending shingles into the neighbor's yard and damaging their vehicle.
How Much It Costs
Completed operations coverage is typically included in your general liability premium, accounting for 30% to 50% of the total cost. For residential roofers, this means $2,000 to $6,000 of your GL premium goes toward completed operations. Contractors with a history of callback claims or water damage complaints will pay more. Higher limits are available through umbrella policies.
Why Work With Us for This Coverage
Many carriers try to attach completed operations exclusions or sunset endorsements that gut your coverage for roofing work. We audit policy language to ensure your completed operations coverage has adequate time periods and does not contain hidden residential roofing exclusions.
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