Liability Insurance
What is an "umbrella" liability policy?
An umbrella liability policy, also called a "personal excess liability" policy, is designed to protect you in case of a big judgment that would quickly eat up your regular policy coverage. These policies are relatively inexpensive because the insurers are betting you'll never need to file a claim. Their coverage takes up where your home and auto policies leave off; thus you will need to have certain levels of basic home and auto liability insurance before you can qualify for an umbrella policy. Generally, these would be $100,000 in liability coverage on your homeowner's policy and $250,000/$500,000 on your auto ($250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident; or sometimes $300,000 in single-limit coverage).
Your premium for the umbrella policy will be determined based on the number of houses, rental units and vehicles you own. If you have one house and two cars, a typical premium costs $100-150 for $1 million in coverage. You will get $2 million in coverage for only about $50-$100 more in premium costs.
>>What kind of liability coverage is provided by a typical homeowner's policy?
>>What is an "umbrella" liability policy?
>>Who needs an umbrella policy?
Practical Law Home |
The Law & Your Home |
Avoiding Liability
*Liability Insurance* |
Remodeling and the Law