Umbrella Insurance - How it Works & What it Covers (2024)

Umbrella Insurance - How it Works & What it Covers (1)What is umbrella insurance?

Umbrella insurance is extra insurance that provides protection beyond existing limits and coverages of other policies. Umbrella insurance can provide coverage for injuries, property damage, certain lawsuits, and personal liability situations.

How does an umbrella insurance policy work?

An umbrella insurance policy helps protect your assets and your future in two important ways:

  1. Umbrella insurance may provide coverage when your homeowners, auto, and boat insurance policies limits are exhausted.
  2. Umbrella insurance provides coverage for claims that may be excluded by other liability policies including claims like false arrest, libel, slander, and liability coverage on rental units you own.

What does umbrella insurance cover?

Umbrella insurance provides coverage beyond the limits of your other insurance policies, or for claims that may not be covered by liability policies. Umbrella insurance generally provides liability coverage for:

  • Injuries
  • Damage to property
  • Certain lawsuits
  • Personal liability situations

Who needs umbrella insurance?

You're thinking, "I have auto and homeowners insurance that covers some of these situations." True! But umbrella insurance insures you above and beyond the limits of those policies and covers some situations not covered by the other types of policies. Call us at (866) 272-5192 to get an umbrella insurance quote today – the rates are less than you think!

Umbrella Policy Coverage Examples:

Bodily injury liability covers the injuries sustained by another person because of the accident. Examples include the cost of medical bills and/or liability claims due to injuries caused by:

  • A serious auto accident where you're at fault
  • Harm caused to others by your dog*
  • A guest in your home falls
  • A neighbor's child falls while playing in your yard

Property damage liability covers the cost of damage or loss to another person's tangible property. Examples include the cost associated with damage to vehicles and other property due to an auto accident where you are at fault.

Owners of rental units help protect against liability that you may face as a landlord. Examples include the cost of liability claims due to:

  • Someone tripping over a crack in the sidewalk of your rental property and suing you for damages
  • Your tenant's dog* biting someone and you being held responsible for the injuries

Coverage is also provided if you're sued for:

  • Slander: An injurious spoken statement
  • Libel: An injurious written statement
  • False arrest, detention, or imprisonment
  • Malicious prosecution
  • Shock/mental anguish

What is not covered by an umbrella policy?

An umbrella policy generally does not provide coverage for:

  • your injuries or damage to your personal property
  • a criminal or intentional action causing damage to someone else
  • liability you assume under a contract

How can umbrella insurance help protect you?

Let's look at an example to help you better understand how an umbrella policy would work to protect you. Let's say you cause a car accident and the cost of the injuries you cause to others is $500,000. Let's also say that the bodily injury limits on your auto insurance are $300,000. Your auto policy will cover $300,000 of the injuries. But who will cover the remaining $200,000?

Your umbrella insurance policy will. It will cover the amount above the limit set in your auto insurance policy, up to the limit you choose for your umbrella policy.

Here's a breakdown of total cost, where your auto insurance limits might be exceeded, and how umbrella insurance can help protect you:

Total Cost of Car Accident$500,000
Auto Insurance: Bodily Injury Limit$300,000
Umbrella Insurance$200,000

Isn't that the peace of mind you want? Get a free umbrella insurance quote by calling (866) 272-5192.

How much does umbrella insurance cost?

The cost of an umbrella policy depends in part on how much coverage you choose to buy. There are other factors, like your location, the number and types of vehicles you own, if you own multiple houses, and other items, that may affect umbrella policy premiums. Our umbrella insurance agents can help you get a policy that fits your needs.

GEICO requires a minimum bodily injury limit of $300,000/$300,000 and a property damage limit of $100,000 or $250,000/$500,000 and a property damage limit of $100,000 on your auto policy to qualify for an umbrella policy. Homeowners/Renters Personal Liability coverage of $300,000 is also required. Contact us to receive a quote for increased auto insurance limits.

*Restrictions and exclusions apply - not all breeds or animals are covered. See policy contract or contact us for details.

Please Note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors, and are subject to change. For complete details, including exclusions and limitations, please refer to the policy you will receive when you purchase the coverage. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages. Umbrella policies sold by GEICO may be underwritten by either GEICO General Insurance Company, Government Employees Insurance Company, or RLI Insurance Company (https://www.rlicorp.com), an unaffiliated partner. Umbrella insurance claims for policies underwritten by RLI Insurance Company are processed by RLI Insurance Company.

Umbrella Insurance - How it Works & What it Covers (2024)

FAQs

Umbrella Insurance - How it Works & What it Covers? ›

Umbrella insurance is a protection option that provides coverage beyond the limits of your homeowners or auto insurance policy. For example, in the event of a costly legal judgment against you, your umbrella policy would cover the excess costs once your home and auto policies have been reached.

What exactly does an umbrella policy cover? ›

Umbrella insurance generally covers you if you're responsible for damaging other people's property, but it won't pay for damage to your own belongings. Say you get into an accident and cause more damage to other vehicles than your auto liability coverage will pay.

What are the disadvantages of umbrella insurance? ›

Cons of Umbrella Insurance

Your own property will not be covered by umbrella insurance. You will need to purchase a separate business policy. There are some limits on what is covered by an umbrella insurance policy, such as intentional acts of wrongdoing.

How much umbrella policy is enough? ›

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.

How much is a $10 million dollar umbrella policy? ›

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.

Do umbrella policies cover everything? ›

An umbrella policy gives you additional liability coverage. This can help cover the cost of injury to others or damage to their property. It does not cover damage to your own home, car or possessions. Coverage for your business activities requires a separate umbrella.

How much does the average umbrella policy cost? ›

Umbrella policies typically start at $1 million in liability coverage. According to an ACE Private Risk Services report noted by Forbes, the average cost a $1 million personal umbrella policy is $383 per year for an individual with one home, two cars, and two drivers.

Why would anyone ever need umbrella insurance? ›

If your net worth exceeds the maximum liability coverage you can get via your standard insurance policies, you'll need an umbrella policy to help protect your assets in case you're found liable for an incident that has devastating financial repercussions.

Is umbrella insurance good or bad? ›

If the total exceeds the limits of either your auto or homeowner's insurance, then personal umbrella coverage might be a good investment. Without personal umbrella insurance, you will be financially liable for claims that exceed your liability limits, and your assets could even be seized to cover the damages.

Who should get an umbrella policy? ›

In general, Austin says those making $250,000 or more a year should consider at least a minimal umbrella policy, especially as premiums on such policies are relatively low.

What does a $1 million dollar umbrella policy cover? ›

So, if you're ever sued for defamation, are on the hook for someone else's medical costs or need to cover expensive repairs to someone's vehicle – an umbrella policy can help cover you with at least $1 million in liability coverage.

How much does a $1 million umbrella policy cost? ›

A $1 million umbrella policy costs around $150 to $300 per year, with the cost increasing a small amount 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.

How much is a $2 million umbrella policy? ›

A $2 million umbrella policy costs around $225 to $375 per year, on average. Every policyholder's umbrella insurance premium will vary based on their personal risk factors, so individuals who own more cars or properties will be more expensive to insure, as will people who are particularly likely to be sued.

Is state farm umbrella policy worth it? ›

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.

Do retirees need an umbrella insurance policy? ›

After spending years building up your retirement savings, the last thing you want is for an unexpected catastrophic accident to wipe it all out with one lawsuit. The umbrella liability policy is your key instrument for helping to protect your assets.

How to calculate umbrella insurance? ›

How To Calculate How Much Umbrella Insurance You Need
  1. Step 1 – Calculate Gross Amount Or Real Assets At Risk. ...
  2. Step 2 – Calculate Net Amount Or Real Assets At Risk. ...
  3. Step 3 – Calculate Net Present Value Of Future Earnings. ...
  4. Step 4 – Calculate The Net Present Value At Risk Based Upon State Garnishment Laws.

Why would someone need an umbrella policy? ›

Umbrella insurance can provide an added layer of protection for your assets and cover the costs associated with injuries, damages to others that go above and beyond the liability limits of your auto, homeowners, or boat policies.

Does umbrella insurance cover malpractice? ›

No, umbrella insurance does not cover malpractice because umbrella insurance does not cover injuries or damage that occur while performing professional activities. Further, if there are things specifically excluded from your other liability policies, umbrella insurance will not cover them, either.

How much does a $5 million dollar umbrella policy cost? ›

A $5 million umbrella policy costs around $375 to $525 per year, on average. Every policyholder's umbrella insurance premium will vary based on their personal risk factors, so individuals who own more cars or properties will be more expensive to insure, as will people who are particularly likely to be sued.

What are examples of commonly covered and not covered homeowners insurance situations? ›

Damage or destruction due to vandalism, fire and certain natural disasters are all usually covered. So is your liability if someone is injured on your property. Certain catastrophes, like flooding or earthquakes, are generally not covered by basic homeowners policies and require specialized insurance.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 6429

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.