Foundational
Commercial Umbrella & Excess Liability
Extra limits that sit on top of your general liability, auto, and employer's liability when a large claim exhausts them.
An umbrella policy adds a layer of liability limit above your underlying policies. When a single severe claim blows through your general liability or commercial auto limit, the umbrella picks up the rest, which is why most large contracts and leases require it.
What it covers
What this policy responds to
- Excess limits over general liability, commercial auto, and employer's liability
- Large third-party injury and property-damage judgments
- Defense costs once an underlying policy is exhausted
- The higher limits that contracts and landlords increasingly demand
Who carries it
Typical operators on this line
- Operators with contracts requiring limits above $1M
- Businesses with fleet, premises, or product exposure
- Anyone whose net worth exceeds their primary liability limits
FAQs
Common questions
- How much umbrella coverage do I need?
- It depends on your exposure and the limits your contracts demand. A common starting point is $1M to $5M of umbrella over primary limits, scaled up for higher-risk operations or larger contracts.
- Does an umbrella cover professional liability?
- Usually not. Umbrellas extend general liability, auto, and employer's liability. Excess limits for E&O or D&O are bought separately as excess professional or management liability.
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