Do I Have a Big Enough Umbrella Insurance Policy? (2024)

business

September 26, 2022

Are you familiar with umbrella insurance coverage? This personal excess liability insurance provides coverage in excess of your primary liability policies for your home, auto, etc. Do you have a big enough policy? We explore here.

Personal Excess Liability or “Umbrella” insurance coverage is a vital element of personal insurance programs and one of the best values in insurance, yet many people do not avail themselves of this important protection. Or, if they do, they do not have appropriate coverage limits or are not with a well-suited insurance carrier. Here’s a rundown on this all-important umbrella protection.

What is Excess Liability Insurance?

As its name suggests, this is insurance that provides liability coverage “in excess” of your primary liability policies, such as for your home, auto or watercraft. Primary liability policies respond first against claims by third parties. Once the limit of the underlying primary policy is exhausted, the excess liability coverage kicks in.

How much does it cost?

The reasonable cost for high limits of coverage makes excess liability coverage the best value in personal insurance. For umbrella policies up to $10 Million in coverage limits, annual premiums generally cost in the range of $220 to $225 per Million, depending on the client’s particular underwriting profile. So, the estimated annual premium cost for a policy with a $5 Million coverage limit would be approximately $1125.

How does it work?

Here’s an illustration. You are involved in a serious auto accident and your auto policy has coverage limits of $250K per person/$500K per incident. If you have an excess liability policy, it will pay any covered claim that exceeds your primary coverage limit.

Assume you have a $5 Million umbrella policy and your lawyer has negotiated a settlement payment from the accident of $4 Million. The umbrella policy will cover the amount that exceeds your $500K primary policy limit, namely $3.5 Million.

To be complete, a wealth management plan must include an appropriate level of personal excess liability coverage. Without the umbrella policy in the example above, the auto accident would reduce your personal net worth by $3.5 Million.

What is the state of personal liability risk in society today?

A phenomenon known as “social inflation” has caused a surge in high-value jury verdicts and settlements in personal injury lawsuits. Potential sources of liability include teenage drivers, dog ownership, swimming pools, home entertaining, domestic employees, social media and online activities, board membership and renting out your property. Damage claims by third parties are not limited by your ability to pay or personal net worth.

Why do many successful people have insufficient umbrella coverage?

Many people who have accumulated wealth and assets seek out top wealth management and investment advisors, yet they may not follow the same approach with their insurance program including their personal excess liability coverage. Remarkably, market research shows that most high-net-worth and even ultra-high-net worth individuals do not have their wealth and assets properly covered with appropriate excess liability coverage.

One reason may be that they remain with their legacy middle market insurance companies for decades, which in general do not offer higher coverage limits. In short, if you are wealthy and have your insurance with a company that regularly advertises on television, you will most likely be underserved on umbrella coverage.

In other cases, a client may have remained for many years with an insurance agent or broker who is not sensitized to the client’s wealth accumulation or does not have access to the best insurance markets for this important coverage.

How are legal defense costs treated?

This an important factor that varies among insurance carriers. The policy language of carriers that cater to successful people generally treat legal defense costs as being outside of your excess liability coverage limits. This can be vitally important, as a protracted litigation could generate seven-figure legal defense costs. You are certainly better served if those costs are paid without eating into your coverage limit.

Questions about your policy? Wondering what your excess liability limit should be? We’re here to help. Please contact the KLR Wealth Managementteam or your advisor for an introduction.

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Do I Have a Big Enough Umbrella Insurance Policy? (2024)

FAQs

Do I Have a Big Enough Umbrella Insurance Policy? ›

As a rule of thumb, your umbrella coverage should at least be equal to your net worth. However, it's always wise to have a bit more coverage than your net worth to ensure you're fully protected against any lawsuits or liability claims.

How large of an umbrella policy should you have? ›

Your umbrella insurance policy limits should at least cover the amount of your assets left exposed once your underlying auto or home policy liability limits are exhausted. Speak with a representative about umbrella insurance and get a Progressive umbrella policy quote for up to $5 million by calling 1-877-777-1783.

Is $1 million enough for an umbrella policy? ›

Now, $1 million might seem like a lot, but that number could get eaten up fast during an expensive lawsuit. If you own property, drive a luxury car, have a swimming pool, serve on a board or nonprofit, or are publicly known for your success and wealth, you might want to consider more than the $1 million minimum.

Do I really need an umbrella insurance policy? ›

Standard homeowners and auto policies typically won't offer more than $500,000 in liability coverage, which means you may need an umbrella insurance policy to fully protect your assets if your net worth exceeds $500,000.

How much should umbrella insurance cost? ›

On average, umbrella insurance premiums cost between $200 to $300 per year. When the unexpected happens, your insurance policies are meant to act as a safety net to keep your wallet from feeling the brunt of life's mishaps. Unfortunately, insurance policies do have their limits.

At what net worth should you get an umbrella policy? ›

Key Takeaways. Umbrella insurance is the defensive part of your wealth-building plan. Anyone with a net worth of $500,000 or more should have umbrella insurance. Your umbrella policy limit should be equal to or greater than your net worth.

What is the right size umbrella? ›

For 2 to 4, a 6- to 8 foot umbrella is great. An 8- to 10-footer is perfect for 4 to 6. Tables that seat more than 6 may need two or more freestanding umbrellas.

What are the disadvantages of the umbrella policy? ›

What are the disadvantages of the umbrella policy? While umbrella insurance offers extensive coverage, it doesn't cover personal injuries or property, business losses, and intentional or criminal acts.

What percentage of Americans have an umbrella policy? ›

In fact, only about 20% of homeowners carry an umbrella policy 1. Many that do are sold a $1 million policy though their assets and earnings greatly exceed that number.

Is state farm umbrella policy worth it? ›

What State Farm Umbrella Policies Cover. State Farm's umbrella policies are a good choice for customers with a high net worth who want extra coverage for property damage, injuries, and possible lawsuits that could result from various types of incidents. To be eligible, you will also need an auto policy from State Farm.

How to calculate how much umbrella insurance you need? ›

To decide how much umbrella insurance coverage you need, add up the value of your property, savings and investment accounts. Then, take a look at the liability insurance you already have through your existing policies and buy enough umbrella insurance to make up the difference.

What is not covered by an umbrella policy? ›

Business losses.

Personal umbrella insurance typically doesn't cover other business-related liabilities such as a malpractice lawsuit, or losses in connection with your paid position as an officer or member of a governing board of a for-profit organization.

Why are umbrella policies so cheap? ›

Because any underlying policy limits are used first, insurers typically can write commercial umbrella policies at relatively low rates. This means you'd be able to increase the coverage of several critical policies while controlling your premium costs.

Is umbrella insurance tax deductible? ›

Umbrella insurance is typically deducted as an operating expense on Schedule E of your tax return. This is the form used to report income and expenses from rental property. On Schedule E, you'll list your umbrella policy premiums under “Insurance.”

Do you need umbrella insurance in AARP? ›

An umbrella insurance policy through the AARP® Auto & Home Insurance Program from The Hartford1 can help protect you and your family if: A neighbor sues you after tripping in a hole in your yard, but your personal liability insurance only covers a portion of the claim.

What is the most that the umbrella insurance will pay? ›

For example, if you have a $1 million umbrella insurance policy and you are found liable in a lawsuit, your umbrella insurance will only pay up to that amount. You can generally buy umbrella insurance in increments of $1 million, such as a $10 million umbrella insurance policy.

How much does a $2 million umbrella policy cost? ›

A $1 million umbrella policy costs around $150 to $300 per year, with the cost increasing by $50 and $75 for every additional million. As with any insurance policy, your exact price will depend on individual risk factors, including the number of people in your household and how many cars and properties you own.

Why is umbrella coverage so expensive? ›

The cost of an umbrella liability policy depends on how much coverage you purchase, the state where you live (insurance rates vary by state) and the risk that insuring you presents to the insurance company. The more homes or cars you own, and the more household members your policy must cover, the more it will cost.

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