Skip to content
Extra Protection When You Need It with

Personal Umbrella Insurance

Getting sued can cause financial ruin. You may be at risk if you own multiple homes, cars, and watercrafts, engage in high-risk activities, own dogs, sit on nonprofit boards, employ domestic staff, or have other unique lifestyle characteristics. A personal umbrella insurance policy provides extra liability protection in the event of a lawsuit by extending the limits of your house, auto, or boat policies. It will cover defense costs, attorney fees, and other charges associated with a lawsuit that exceeds the limits of your regular policies. Our experts can explain your options and tailor a plan that is right for you and your lifestyle.

Consider Protecting Your:

  • Income
  • Future earnings
  • Financial position
  • Risk tolerance

Protect Yourself From:

  • Liability for accidents from high-risk activities
  • Opportunistic lawsuits
  • Short-term and long-term medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lawsuits filed by tenants
  • Liability from dog bites
  • Volunteer work accidents
  • Risks not covered by your other policies

FAQ

What is umbrella insurance?

A personal umbrella insurance policy is a secondary form of insurance that supplements the protections afforded by primary, underlying policies.

What is personal umbrella policy?

Homeowners, auto, and other primary insurance policies may provide robust protections, but there’s almost always a limit to how much coverage they afford. For individuals who want additional protection beyond what their underlying policies will provide, it may be appropriate to purchase a personal umbrella policy. Personal umbrella insurance is a secondary form of insurance that supplements the protections afforded by primary, underlying policies. In many cases, personal umbrella policies offer levels of protection that simply are unavailable through only primary insurance policies.

How do personal umbrella policies supplement underlying policies?

Personal umbrella policies may supplement the protections provided by primary insurance policies in two ways. First, an umbrella policy will sometimes fill in coverage gaps left by primary policies, thus providing coverage where there otherwise would be none. Second, an umbrella policy may build on the limits of underlying policies, frequently providing more protection than is offered by underlying policies’ highest available limits.

Who is personal umbrella insurance for?

Anyone who wants more protection than the limits of their underlying insurance policies allow for may be interested in personal umbrella insurance. This may include (but isn’t limited to): People who participate in high-risk activities (e.g. boating or riding motorcycles) and want additional protection in case they’re liable for an accident; Dog owners who want extra liability protection in case their dog bites another person; Landlords who need additional coverage from potential lawsuits filed by tenants; Wealthy individuals who fear they might be targeted by an opportunistic lawsuit; and Volunteers who take on additional responsibilities and may be held responsible for accidents.

Are personal umbrella policies the same as excess liability policies?

Both personal umbrella and excess liability policies are supplemental insurance policies that offer protection beyond what primary policies provide. There is an important distinction between them, though. Personal umbrella policies typically come with their own terms, conditions, definitions, and exclusions. Since they have their own language, personal umbrella policies are often able to supplement multiple underlying policies at the same time, and they can sometimes fill in coverage gaps.

Do personal umbrella policies protect property?

Most personal umbrella policies are strictly liability policies and don’t offer additional protection for property. People who need more coverage for specific property may need to increase the property limits of their current property insurance policy (e.g. homeowners policy), purchase a rider for their current policy, or get a different property insurance policy.

MEET YOUR INDUSTRY EXPERTS

HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

Expert Guidance

What Types of Personal Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

Learn More: What Types of Personal Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

Locations

260+ Locations to Serve You

Decorative map of World Insurance Associates locations. View all locations: 260+ Locations to Serve You

Expert Guidance

How Much Home Insurance Is Enough?

Learn More: How Much Home Insurance Is Enough?