By October, most roofers are finishing the last of the spring and summer storm work. The trucks are tired, the crews are tired, and the jobs feel done. From an insurance standpoint, though, every roof you installed this year just started its long tail.
What completed operations means
Completed operations coverage is the part of your general liability policy that responds to injury or property damage caused by work you've finished. A roof that leaks into a homeowner's attic and ruins drywall and contents, a flashing detail that lets water into a commercial tenant's inventory, a skylight that fails during the next storm — those claims can arrive months or years after you've been paid.
Why roofers get hit hardest
- Water damage is expensive and often discovered late, after mold has developed.
- Missouri and Kansas allow construction defect claims for years after completion, so your exposure outlives the job.
- Many roofing policies, especially from surplus lines carriers, have limitations or exclusions that matter: residential-only restrictions, exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) exclusions, or limits on work above a certain height.
Protect yourself now
- Read your policy for completed operations limits and any exclusions for prior work or specific roof types.
- Keep job files: photos before, during and after; material invoices; manufacturer warranty registrations; and signed completion sign-offs.
- If you switch carriers, ask how prior completed work is treated. Some policies cover only work done during the policy period.
- Use written contracts with clear scope and warranty language.
Finishing the season strong includes making sure this year's roofs are protected for the years to come.
This material is for general information only. Coverage depends on the actual policy language, and availability varies by carrier.