Completed Operations Coverage and Why is it Crucial for You?

For landscapers, the job isn’t done when the tools are packed up. A poorly installed retaining wall, misaligned drainage, or shifting hardscape could cause injuries or property damage weeks, months, or even years after the work is completed.

Completed operations coverage is the only protection your business has after the job is finished — and it’s essential for any contractor or landscape professional.

What Is Completed Operations Coverage?

Completed operations coverage is part of a general liability insurance policy. It protects your business if a client files a claim after the work is done, due to injuries or property damage caused by your finished work.

Why Landscapers Need This Coverage

• Post-completion risk: Soil can erode, walls can fail, water can damage structures long after the job is complete.

• Client protection: Even small mistakes can cost you tens of thousands in repairs or settlements.

• Required in contracts: Many commercial and municipal clients require completed operations coverage for bidding.

• Legal defense included: The policy also covers attorney fees, court costs, and settlements.

What It Covers (And Doesn’t)

✔ Covered:

• Injury to someone caused by your completed work

• Property damage that occurs due to faulty installation

• Legal defense costs

✘ Not Covered:

• The cost to fix your own faulty work

• Damage to your equipment or employees

• Intentional negligence or breach of contract

Real Landscaping Examples

• A walkway you installed shifts and causes a visitor to trip.

• An improperly leveled yard causes water to flood a home’s basement.

• Tree roots from a planting job damage underground utilities.

• A retaining wall collapses, damaging a parked car.

Policy Duration & Limits

• Most policies provide protection for 5 to 10 years after the project is finished — depending on the statute of repose in your state.

• If your insurance lapses, you may lose this protection — even if the issue started earlier.

• This coverage typically shares limits with your general liability policy (e.g. $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate).

FAQs

Do I need completed operations coverage for every job?
If your work can physically impact people or property after completion — yes.

Is it automatically included in general liability?
Often, but not always. Always confirm with your carrier.

Does it cover small jobs?
Yes. If the finished work leads to injury or damage, you’re protected — regardless of project size.

Can a client require this coverage in writing?
Yes. It’s common in HOA, city, and commercial contracts.

Will it cover damage to my own work?
No. It covers damage your work causes to others, not the cost to redo your own labor.

Summary

Completed operations coverage protects your landscaping business from legal and financial fallout long after the job is done. Whether you’re installing sod, irrigation, patios, or trees — the effects of your work can linger. Don’t leave your business vulnerable.

✅ Ready to protect your landscaping projects long after they’re complete?

We work with nearly 100 insurance carriers to find the right combination of coverage and price — including completed operations protection for landscapers and contractors.

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