Completed Operations — The Most Critical Coverage for Elevator Contractors
Elevator accidents often happen weeks, months, or years after the contractor's work is done. Completed operations coverage, which is typically included within your GL policy, extends your protection past the job completion date.
Why This Matters for Elevator Work
An elevator isn't just a product — it's a life-safety system. A floor-leveling error that goes undetected, a door sensor calibrated incorrectly, a rope tension set outside spec — these defects may not cause injury until months later. Without completed operations, you have no coverage for those claims.
How It Works
- You complete elevator modernization in January
- In July, a passenger is injured when the cab fails to level correctly
- Completed operations coverage responds — even though the job was "done" months ago
What's NOT Covered
- Damage to your own work (rework costs) — that's a performance/warranty issue
- Intentional shoddy workmanship
- Damage caused by ongoing operations (that's covered under the operations portion of GL)
Common Questions
How long does completed operations coverage last?
Standard GL policies include completed operations coverage for claims that occur during the policy period, regardless of when the work was done. For longer tail protection, extended reporting periods (ERP) can be purchased.
Is completed operations separate from GL?
No — it's usually included within your GL policy, listed as a separate sub-limit. Some policies exclude it or low-limit it; we verify your GL specifically includes adequate completed ops limits.