Understanding Your Personal Umbrella Policy

A personal umbrella insurance policy will provide extra coverage for you and your assets. It can kick in when other insurance coverage is not enough, but it is not a catch-all policy designed to cover everything. Personal umbrella insurance provides two basic types of coverage – liability and defense costs.

What Is Personal Umbrella Coverage?

An umbrella policy can cover what primary insurance excludes or provide additional coverage beyond the limits of your other insurance policies. In today’s litigious society, a personal umbrella policy can provide critical protection if you are held liable for bodily injury, property damage, or another type of personal injury. If you are found to be legally responsible for someone else’s damages, your umbrella policy can help cover related costs. It can also help cover your legal fees and expenses involved in defending against the accusations.

Situations In Which You Might Need Personal Umbrella Coverage

Having a personal umbrella insurance policy can help protect your assets and savings in case someone comes after you with a lawsuit or claim. Examples of such situations include:

Teen Drivers

If you have a teenage son or daughter on your auto insurance policy, having additional umbrella coverage is a good idea. Teen drivers lack experience and are more likely to be involved in a crash. Although you are required by law to carry liability auto insurance, the state-required minimums may not be enough if your teen driver is at fault for an accident. Purchasing an umbrella policy may be the best way to get additional liability coverage at a lower cost.

Intoxicated Party Guests

When you host a party or other gathering at your home, you try not to let anyone drive away intoxicated. But not every situation is within your control. If a guest leaves your home drunk and causes a collision, you could be held liable for the accident if you live in a state with dram shop laws. These laws, which exist in a majority of U.S. states, hold a business or host who serves alcohol to an intoxicated person liable for injury caused by the drunken patron or guest.

Homeowners Liability

Being a property owner comes with specific legal responsibilities. Under premises liability laws, you could be held financially responsible for injuries or damages someone else suffers on your property. For example, a child having a sleepover with your son or daughter could break an arm or leg in an accidental fall. When you are out walking your dog, the animal may feel threatened by another dog or person and bite someone in a mistaken effort to protect you. Falling limbs from a large tree in your yard could damage your neighbor’s home or vehicle. A personal umbrella insurance policy can provide additional coverage beyond your homeowners insurance limits in any of these situations.
If you are considering a personal umbrella insurance policy, speak with our friendly agent. We can advise you on how much coverage you need and help you find the best quote in the area.