Umbrella & Excess Liability Insurance
An extra layer of protection above your primary policies
Commercial Umbrella insurance adds a layer of liability coverage above your underlying GL, Commercial Auto, and Employers Liability policies. When a claim exceeds your primary limits, the umbrella activates — protecting you from the kind of catastrophic, business-ending verdicts that primary policies alone cannot absorb.
What's Covered
What this policy covers
- Liability claims that exceed your primary policy limits
- Follows the same coverage as your underlying policies (follow-form)
- Legal defense costs above primary policy exhaustion
- Worldwide coverage for most incidents
- Some umbrella policies drop down to fill gaps in underlying coverage
Who Needs It
Is this coverage right for you?
- Businesses with significant assets to protect
- Companies with high public exposure — venues, events, transportation
- Contractors on large projects where contracts require higher limits
- Businesses required by contract to carry $2M+ in liability coverage
- Any business concerned about multi-million-dollar jury verdicts
FAQ
Common questions about Umbrella / Excess
What is the difference between umbrella and excess liability?
Excess liability sits directly above a single underlying policy and matches its terms exactly. A true umbrella can sometimes "drop down" to fill gaps or cover claims where the underlying is exhausted or doesn't apply — providing broader protection.
What underlying limits do umbrella carriers require?
Typically $1M GL, $1M commercial auto, and $1M employers liability. The umbrella then activates above those. Gaps in underlying coverage can affect umbrella response.
Is umbrella insurance expensive?
No — it's one of the best values in commercial insurance. A $1M umbrella often costs $500–$1,500 per year, far less than increasing your underlying policy limits by the same amount.
Ready to get Umbrella / Excess coverage?
We'll find the right carrier and limits for your specific situation — same-day quotes for most accounts.