UMBRELLA INSURANCE

You Never Know When It Might Rain

Just like the name implies, this type of policy acts like an umbrella, providing protection against a wide range of potential financial dangers, and unforeseeable mishaps.

Umbrella insurance is a form of liability insurance; therefore, it does not cover your own medical expenses and losses to your property.

However, what exactly is covered by your umbrella policy depends on how you decide to set it up. In most cases, umbrella insurance protects you from:

Injuries you cause in a car accident
Injuries someone suffers on your property
Property damage you cause in an accident
Property damage your pet causes
Property damage a dependent or child causes
Attorney fees and other legal costs if you’re sued

Your existing insurance may protect you to an extent, but an umbrella policy goes much further for less cost than upping the limits on your existing policy because it covers for different types of risks. Umbrella insurance is also portable, in most cases; so, it can follow you when and wherever you travel―even overseas.

Since the terms of umbrella insurance policies will vary depending on insurance companies and your own personal needs, a qualified insurance agent from our firm is the best person with whom to discuss the benefits, restrictions, and coverage from each carrier they represent.

Aren't People With a Lot of Assets The Only Ones Who Need Umbrella Insurance?

Anyone with a job who expects to keep the income they earn could benefit from having an umbrella insurance policy.

What would happen, for example, if someone made a delivery to your house, slipped on a sidewalk recently wet by your sprinkler system, and suffered severe head injuries from the fall.

They take legal action and your homeowners insurance kicks in and pays up to its maximum limits. But the jury finds you are responsible for an extra $500,000 over your homeowner’s limits.

How long would it take you to pay that off with your weekly paycheck?

Umbrella insurance covers up to $5 million that exceeds your homeowner’s coverage, sparing you from a financial nightmare, along with paying the attorney to help you survive it.

Are Umbrella Policies Expensive?

Relative to the amount of protection you get, umbrella insurance is highly affordable. Especially since it’s unlikely you will ever have to make a claim against it. Your specific cost will be determined by:

The amount of coverage you purchase
Your insurance carrier’s provisions
Your risk profile and driving record

Real Umbrella Policy Claims¹

An insured’s daughter hated math class as well as the teacher. The daughter made several “disparaging” and false remarks about her teacher online. The teacher sued the parents for personal injury and $750,000 was paid.
The insured’s tenant claims she became ill from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a faulty furnace. The tenant claimed permanent brain damage and demanded $750,000.
A hillside on the insured’s property was covered with concrete to prevent erosion. the concrete had been installed before the insured purchased the property. Approximately 5 feet of the concrete fell to the neighboring property knocking the claimant’s home from its foundation. The resulting claim was settled for $970,000.

You can save even more money by purchasing umbrella insurance from the same carrier who provides your home and/or auto insurance. Check with us to make sure.

¹Provided by The Travelers Companies.