Umbrella coverage is aptly named — it gives you added coverage on top of your personal insurance (like homeowners, auto, watercraft, or motorcycle). But how does it relate to you and your current insurance policy? Here’s a basic overview to help you understand the coverage.
1. What is it?
Umbrella coverage provides higher limits to give you extra liability coverage to pay for injuries and damages others sustain due to your negligence. For example, say you are found negligent in an auto accident and are required to pay for the resulting bodily injury. Once you reach the limits of your primary insurance policy, the umbrella kicks in to cover the additional costs above that, up to your limit.
2. Who and what does it cover?
This coverage applies to you and others living in your household, including a spouse, children, or others in your care. It extends the liability limits of your primary insurance policy, including auto, homeowners, watercraft, and recreational vehicle liability; and personal injury liability such as libel, defamation of character, false arrest, and more.
In addition, the coverage follows you, meaning you’re protected worldwide. The most common limit for umbrella coverage is $1 million, but higher limits are available.
3. Why do I need it?
The more assets you have, the more protection you need — particularly when court awards are trending increasingly higher. Umbrella coverage offers that extra layer of security. Plus, the added protection is valuable if you add a teen driver to your insurance policy. A majority of the claims covered by umbrella coverage involve auto losses, so having an umbrella in place can give you peace of mind when your teen driver is on the road.
4. How do I get it?
Umbrella coverage is relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to the amount of coverage you receive. Talk to your independent agent to learn more or to purchase umbrella coverage.
To learn more, contact your insurance agent for a quote, or find an agent near you.
