The Ultimate Umbrella Insurance Guide

Everything You Need To Know To Better Understand Umbrella Insurance

Table of Contents

Whether you need answers to these questions or just want an auto insurance quote, you’ve come to the right place.

What Does Personal Umbrella Insurance Cover?

Personal Umbrella Liability Insurance (or Personal Umbrella) is a very misunderstood insurance coverage. An “umbrella policy” sits over and above your personal insurance policies. These policies can provide liability protection(s) in ADDITION to your primary Personal Insurance Policies (for most consumers these include: Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, & Boat Insurance). While the primary goal is to provide additional liability protection over your primary liability limits, there are some additional coverages provided by the Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy.

Additional Coverages

While these coverages may vary slightly from carrier to carrier, the Personal Umbrella Liability Policy does provide some coverages that are not covered by some underlying insurance policies.
  • Personal Injury Liability
  • Libel
  • Slander
  • False Arrest
  • Wrongful Entry or Eviction
  • Defamation of Character
  • Worldwide Automobile Liability
  • Worldwide Watercraft Liability
  • Liability Arising from Non-Owned Autos and Boats

Can Anyone Purchase Umbrella Insurance?

While EVERYONE has the right to purchase an umbrella, Insurance Carriers to set Minimum Underlying Policy Limits.

While each carrier is a little different, you must have certain limits of liability on your underlying insurance policies (Home, Auto, Boat).

While the actual limits of liability qualifications may vary from carrier to carrier, most often you are required to carrythe following:

  • Auto Insurance Limits (Bodily Injury): $250,000 Per Person / $500,000 Per Accident
  • Auto Insurance Limit (Property Damage): $100,000
  • Home Insurance Limit: $300,000

Do I Need A Personal Umbrella Policy?

Most people classify themselves as either “Wealthy” or “Not Wealthy”.  While providing such limitations to one’s financial status is probably short-sighted, it is nonetheless a fact.  As Insurance Professionals, our job is to identify, analyze, and mitigate loss exposures.  Whether you are “wealthy” or “not wealthy”, a Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy is something EVERYONE could benefit from.  Let’s try and look at the need(s) of both types of people.

The Wealthy Need Extra Liability Coverage

You, as a “Wealthy”, have amassed a large amount of assets.  Those assets be in the form of Cash, Stocks, Private Business, or Real Estate.  Now, for these individuals, most have been very careful with the investments they have made.  They have paid close attention to investment risk.  Now let’s assume that Mr. Wealthy has decided to host a New Year’s Party at his “Estate”.  Mr. Wealthy runs in very exclusive circles filled with other “Mr. Wealthy’s”.

Let’s further assume that one of these guests is a Doctor.  During the course of the evening, Dr. Wealthy decided to go out on the balcony to get a better look at the fireworks show.  While leaning on the banister, the banister gives way, and Dr. Wealthy Falls two stories.  The good news is that Dr. Wealthy survived the fall.  The bad news is that Dr. Wealthy (who happens to be a surgeon) broke both of his hands and suffered extreme nerve damage.  Dr. Wealthy will never be able to perform surgery again.  Dr. Wealthy, at the suggestion of his insurance advisor, had increased his Homeowner’s Liability Insurance to $1,000,000.  The Homeowner’s Liability Insurance paid out $1,000,000 in medical expenses and lost wages to Dr. Wealthy.  However, the Courts decided that the loss of future income for Dr. Wealthy was $3,000,000 (not a big stretch assuming $300,000 and 10 years).  Mr. Wealthy’s assets had to be sold and liquidated to pay the remaining $2,000,000.  Now, our Mr. Wealthy, had to change his name to Mr. Not Wealthy!

The Not Wealthy Need Extra Liability Coverage

You, as a “Not Wealthy”, work hard everyday provide a nice home for your family and save money whenever you can.  You have managed to build up a little savings.  After a long, 12 hour day you are driving home when you run a stop light.  You run into a brand new Mercedes owned and driven by Dr. Wealthy.  Dr. Wealthy is badly injured.  After a month in the hospital, Dr. Wealthy passes, leaving a wife and two kids behind.

You, Mr. Not Wealthy, had better than average Auto Liability Limits of $100,000 Per Person/$300,000 Per Accident Bodily Injury Liability and $50,000 Property Damage Liability.  The vehicle Dr. Wealthy was driving was totaled and the damages estimate was $70,000 ($70,000 – $50,000 PD Limits = $20,000 owed by Mr. Not Wealthy).  The Hospital Bills for Dr. Wealthy total $250,000 ($250,000 – $100,000 = $150,000 owed by Mr. Not Wealthy).  The Courts ruled that while Dr. Wealthy was 5 years away from retirement, the loss of future income totaled $1,000,000.  So, Mr. Not Wealthy owes $1,170,000 over and above his insurance limits.  Now, Mr. Not Wealthy, is Mr. Bankrupt!

While these stories are fabricated, you should see why everyone has a need for a Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy.

How Much Extra Liability Does An Umbrella Provide?

Insurance Carriers may offer a number of different options for the amount of umbrella liability they provide.

Typically, these limits are in bands of $1 Million Dollars.

Standard Umbrella Limit

$1,000,000

Increased Umbrella Limit Options

2,000,000 – $10,000,000

There are specialty carriers that can offer limits in excess of these limits!

How Much Does A Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy Cost?

There is no one price for a Personal Umbrella Policy.

Each risk (person or family) will have different rating factors.

The average family with a home and two cars will pay between $80-$120 a year for a Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy!