Coverage Overview
Umbrella insurance doesn't stand alone - it sits on top of your existing auto, home, boat, and landlord policies, picking up liability costs once those underlying limits are used up.
How umbrella coverage works
- Adds liability protection above the limits on your auto, homeowners, boat, or landlord policies, typically starting at $1 million in additional coverage
- Covers claims those underlying policies don't fully pay, including large judgments, certain lawsuits, and some claims your base policies exclude
- Requires minimum underlying liability limits on the policies it sits above - your agent sets these when the umbrella is issued
Umbrella Insurance FAQ
How much umbrella coverage do I need?
It depends on your assets and your exposure - rental properties, teen drivers, a pool, a dog, or anything that puts you in regular contact with the public all raise the odds of a serious liability claim. A common approach is enough coverage to protect your net worth above what your underlying policies already provide.
Does umbrella insurance cover my rental properties or boat too?
It can, as long as those properties and vehicles are scheduled under the umbrella and carry the required underlying liability limits on their own policies first.
What underlying coverage do I need before I can buy umbrella?
Most carriers require minimum liability limits on your auto and homeowners (or landlord) policies - often $250,000/$500,000 for auto and $300,000 for home - before they'll issue an umbrella policy on top.