Liability · Insurance Term
Products-Completed Operations (PCOH)
Definition
Products-completed operations is the part of general liability coverage for injury or damage caused by a product you sold, or by work you finished, after it has left your hands. Most policies give it its own aggregate limit.
In Plain English
In a commercial general liability policy, products-completed operations covers claims arising from your products or from your work after it is completed. A typical example is a contractor's faulty installation that causes an injury a year later.
This coverage usually has an aggregate limit separate from the general aggregate limit. Under an occurrence policy, the policy in force when the injury or damage happens generally responds — which may be years after the work was done.
For owners and developers, this matters most for construction defect claims. The contractors you hire should carry it, and you should ask for proof that it continues after the project ends.
Not sure how your policy handles this? Have us review it, or get a quote.
Example
Hypothetical and simplified: a contractor installs a balcony railing on an apartment building in 2025. In 2027 the railing gives way and a tenant is hurt. The contractor's liability policy in force in 2027, including its products-completed operations coverage, would usually be the one that responds, subject to its terms.
What to Watch For
- Require contractors to keep products-completed operations coverage for a set number of years after the job.
- Ask for additional insured status for completed operations, not just ongoing work.
- Check the products-completed operations aggregate on certificates you receive.
- If you sell products, such as fuel or food, confirm the coverage applies to them.
Last updated October 14, 2026 · Primesure editorial team · How We Write