Which is a common exclusion that can limit CGL coverage?

• A. Medical payments.
• B. Completed operations.
• C. Pollution.
• D. Property damage to the insured's own building.

Answer: (C)

In CGL policies, a pollution exclusion is a standard clause that limits coverage for claims arising from environmental contamination. It typically bars damages resulting from the release, dispersal, or presence of pollutants in air, water, or soil, whether caused by the insured’s operations, products, or completed work. This exclusion exists because pollution exposures are broad, costly, and difficult to predict, so insurers separate this risk from general-liability coverage.

There can be narrow exceptions or endorsements that provide limited coverage for sudden and accidental releases or legally required cleanup costs in specific circumstances, but these are tightly restricted and often require additional coverage. The other items listed describe aspects that are usually part of CGL coverage rather than exclusions: medical payments is a no-fault, first-aid type coverage; completed operations is typically covered under CGL, sometimes with specific terms; damage to the insured’s own property is generally excluded or addressed by separate lines, not treated as the typical limiting exclusion of CGL.