Find an Agent
Contact Us
Everything you need to know about insurance basics, like coverage types, limits, cost and more.
Walk through the home-buying process with this step-by-step guide.
Learn the ins and outs of life insurance through these helpful articles.
When it comes to protecting your financial stability and having peace of mind, umbrella insurance is extra liability coverage that goes above and beyond the limits of your other types of insurance policies. Your umbrella insurance policy may also cover some situations that aren’t covered by your primary policies. The term umbrella is used to reference this broad reaching coverage.
Personal liability umbrella insurance acts like a second layer of financial protection that comes into focus after your primary liability limits have been met and may even cover you in certain situations when your other policies don’t.
Sometimes referred to as umbrella coverage — or an umbrella policy — umbrella insurance is designed by insurance companies to better protect your assets, savings and future income from large liability claims or court judgements that could otherwise devastate your finances.
It’s coverage that only activates after other existing or underlying liability insurance coverage limits have been reached, like those typically found in a renters, car, homeowners or business policy. But the policy has its limitations:
|
What Umbrella Insurance Usually Covers
|
What Umbrella Insurance Usually Doesn’t Cover
|
|---|---|
|
Commercial or landlord liabilities
|
Personal property or belongings
|
|
Personal injury
|
Criminal acts or omissions
|
|
Property damages
|
Contractual liabilities
|
|
Bodily injury
|
Business losses
|
|
Slander or lible judgements
|
Intentional damage
|
|
Lost income to others
|
Contracts — written or oral
|
|
Legal costs
|
Criminal prosecution
|
Several considerations influence the cost of your umbrella insurance policy, such as the amount of coverage, your location, and the number and type of underlying exposures you have (for example, cars, recreational vehicles, homes). Umbrella premium is typically a small portion of your total insurance costs.
If you’re found liable for damages that exceed the coverage limits on your auto or home policies, it’s protection you’ll likely find is worth every penny.
The primary factor in determining cost comes down to one simple question to ask yourself — how much umbrella insurance do I need? The answer to that lies in your location and the property you own. Other risk factors to consider are your net worth and the total value of your assets. Your bundled insurance options will also play a role in your cost in addition to other types of coverages you’re carrying.
Everyone enjoys saving money, much as everyone truly needs insurance to protect families. But, how can bundling insurance help save you on your premium payments?
Bundling is buying multiple insurance policies from the same company. We offer auto & home, auto & renters, auto & life, motorcycle & home, home & umbrella policies, and more.
With our multi-product discount, you can save up to 23% on auto and home insurance. Plus, you can use the MyAmFam app or My Account to easily check your premiums, effective dates, and policy info to save time and simplify the claims process.
Whether an accident occurs at home or on the road, you may be held responsible for injuries or damages. There may be some costs your home or auto insurance won't cover. Umbrella insurance can help you cover what's left after your home and car insurance run out.
Under an umbrella policy, you are covered for damages over and above your primary liability limits. It also covers legal expenses you may have to pay.
Simply put, a good umbrella policy can give you peace of mind and help you save you money.
If you’re looking for extra security, umbrella insurance is an answer that can help to secure future earnings, guard against wage garnishment and protect everything you’ve worked so hard for.
While most people have heard about umbrella insurance, not everyone understands how it works. If you’re asking yourself, “what does umbrella insurance cover,” then look no further. We’ve uncovered five facts about umbrella insurance coverage that may surprise you:
One great way personal umbrella insurance protects you online is with coverage for libel, slander and defamation of character. If you’re found liable for slanderous comments made online, this coverage can help pay for the related costs and legal fees. This important coverage may not be included in your standard homeowners or renters policy.
You’ve saved hard for those things that matter in your life — an umbrella is designed to help protect your goals. Imagine if you accidentally hit a bicyclist and are found liable. If the damages are $1 million and your auto insurance covers up to $250,000, then your umbrella will step in and cover the remaining $750,000, leaving your savings and future earnings intact.
Consider the added financial burden without umbrella insurance coverage in place:
Most people think of an umbrella policy as an extra layer of protection added to their home and auto insurance policies, but it actually extends further. If you enjoy recreational vehicles, you’ll be happy to discover that an umbrella policy can also extend liability over your boat, motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV/UTV, etc. Check with your agent to make sure all your recreational vehicles covered.
If you are sued, your umbrella insurance will cover your defense costs in most cases, regardless of fault. Legal defense costs are covered in addition to your policy limit.
Are you planning on traveling in the future? An umbrella policy is a great travel companion. If you’re involved in an incident or want some extra liability protection during your travels in the United States or abroad, your umbrella policy gives you added security. Other underlying policies may not provide this liability protection.
Umbrella liability policies can cover everyone and are ideal for you if your assets exceed your home and car insurance limits. It can also pay for expensive claims or lawsuits, so you don't have to dig into your savings.
Traveling, building a swimming pool, owning a boat or recreational vehicle, or having children or pets are good reasons to have umbrella protection.
Generally speaking, yes. For earners who wish to protect current and future assets, an umbrella insurance policy is coverage worth serious consideration. With $1 million of umbrella liability insurance, you’re protecting your finances if you’re sued and forced to pay a legal judgement beyond the limits of your current auto insurance coverage.
You must, at a minimum, have an existing auto, renters, condo, manufactured home or home insurance policy. This is because umbrella insurance is offered as an addition to your current coverage. In that underlying policy, your liability limits must meet a minimum threshold of at least $300,000 for American Family Insurance property policies. Be sure to check in with your agent to understand how your coverage can qualify for additional umbrella insurance protection.
Umbrella insurance is a great idea for those with assets and future earnings that need protection. Medical costs and jury awards are trending upwards - the liability limits on your underlying home, auto, or recreational vehicle policies may not be enough to cover injuries or damages from an accident you are liable for.
With Umbrella coverage, you’ll have another layer of protection for your savings after your primary underlying insurance liability limits have been met.
Additionally, you may want to add optional underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage to your umbrella policy as an added layer of protection over your underlying motor vehicle policies.
With personal umbrella coverage, we’ve got your back. At American Family Insurance, we protect more than just you with this great policy. We’ll cover:
Having coverage for lawsuits can make a big difference, particularly with the liability risks of driving a car daily. But there are other good reasons to get covered as well. Some additional reasons to consider an umbrella policy are if you:
If you’d like to take advantage of liability coverage from an umbrella policy, contact your American Family Insurance agent to learn more about how you can benefit and get a personalized umbrella insurance quote today.
*Customers who bundle auto and home insurance policies may save up to 23% on both policies together (as of October 2021).
Discounts may vary by state, property, policy form and company underwriting the auto and/or home policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverages on an auto or property policy.
This article is for informational purposes only and includes information widely available through different sources and does not afford or guarantee any coverage.
Related Topics: Home Insurance , Car Insurance , Insurance Terms , Insurance Needs
