Products-Completed Operations Aggregate
The separate aggregate limit for all CGL claims arising from the insured's products or completed work during the policy period.
What It Is
The Products-Completed Operations Aggregate is a separate aggregate limit within the CGL policy that applies exclusively to claims arising from the insured's products (products liability) and the insured's completed work (completed operations). It is independent of the general aggregate limit.
The standard products-completed operations aggregate is typically equal to the general aggregate — for a $1M/$2M policy, the products-completed operations aggregate is also $2,000,000. However, these two aggregates exhaust independently. Claims against the products-completed operations aggregate do not reduce the general aggregate, and vice versa.
This separation is important because it ensures that claims from ongoing operations do not consume the limit available for post-completion claims, and vice versa. For manufacturers and contractors, the products-completed operations aggregate is often the more critical limit.
Why It Matters for Brokers
Construction contracts and owner-controlled insurance programs frequently specify minimum products-completed operations aggregate limits, sometimes requiring them to be maintained for multiple years after project completion. Brokers must ensure that the aggregate is sufficient for the client's exposure profile and that it is accurately reflected on certificates. For manufacturers with high product volumes, the products-completed operations aggregate can be the first limit to exhaust.
Real-World Example
A drywall subcontractor completes work on three separate commercial buildings during the 2024 policy year. In 2025, moisture intrusion caused by improper installation is discovered in all three buildings. The claims total $400,000, $550,000, and $380,000 respectively — a combined $1,330,000. All three claims fall under the products-completed operations aggregate because the work was completed. The sub's $2M products-completed operations aggregate covers all three claims, while the $2M general aggregate remains untouched and available for any ongoing operations claims.
Common Mistakes
- 1Assuming the products-completed operations aggregate is included in or shared with the general aggregate — they are separate limits.
- 2Not verifying that the products-completed operations aggregate has not been reduced or excluded by endorsement on artisan contractor policies.
- 3Failing to recommend extended products-completed operations coverage for contractors on projects with long warranty periods.
How brokerageaudit.com Handles This
Policy Checker extracts the products-completed operations aggregate separately from the general aggregate and flags any endorsements that modify, reduce, or exclude it. It compares the aggregate against construction contract requirements that specify minimum products-completed operations limits. COI Manager maps this limit to the correct field on ACORD 25 certificates.