Completed operations coverage protects your business against injury and property damage claims that arise from work you have already finished. IRMI, a US insurance reference, describes completed operations as "work of the insured that has been completed as called for in a contract ... or work that has been put to its intended use." For snow contractors, it matters because slip and fall claims can arise after the plow has left the site.
Why It Matters in Snow Removal
A snow removal claim may not arise while your truck is on site. It can arise hours later, when meltwater from a pile refreezes across a walkway, or when a light dusting covers ice that was treated earlier. The question in these claims is often whether your work, now completed, contributed to the hazard. That is where completed operations coverage comes in.
How It Fits With General Liability
Completed operations is usually part of a general liability policy, often grouped with products liability. Some policies set a separate aggregate limit for products and completed operations. Ask your broker whether yours shares the general aggregate or has its own. See per occurrence vs aggregate limits.
Contracts Ask for It by Name
Published snow contracts we reviewed list it:
- the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan's winter maintenance RFP asked for products and completed operations coverage of $5,000,000
- the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board template required products and completed operations coverage
If a contract lists it, make sure your certificate shows it. See certificates of insurance explained.
Claims Can Arrive Late
In Ontario, written notice of a snow or ice injury claim on private property must generally be served within 60 days, and snow contractors hired by the occupier are among those who can receive it. The general limitation period for civil claims is two years in Ontario, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. See the Ontario 60 day notice rule.
Learn More
See completed operations coverage, the completed operations glossary entry and slip and fall liability.
General information only, not insurance advice.
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Sources
- IRMI: Completed operations
- Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan winter maintenance RFP
- Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Bill 118
Frequently Asked Questions
Is completed operations included in general liability?
It is often part of a general liability policy, but check your policy and limits with your broker.
Why do snow contracts require completed operations coverage?
Snow and ice claims can arise after the contractor has left the site, so clients want to know those claims are covered.
What is a refreeze claim?
A claim where melted snow or ice refreezes after service and someone is injured. Whether it is covered depends on your policy.