WORLD EVENTS

Key takeaways

• Umbrella liability coverage protects against the potential financial fallout of certain types of unforeseen events that lead to property damage or injury, for which the policyholder is held responsible.

• An umbrella liability policy generally takes effect when other forms of insurance (e.g., auto or homeowners) have been exhausted.

• To determine appropriate levels of coverage, consider the total value of the assets you may wish to protect, the perceived scope of the risks you may face, and the impact of a potential loss of future income.

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You probably already buy a variety of insurance policies to protect your assets and your loved ones. But beyond the standard auto, homeowners or life insurance policies, you may have overlooked an important and affordable type of insurance: umbrella insurance. That's largely because the financial protection it provides comes into play only under certain—but often vital—circumstances.

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What is umbrella liability coverage?

Sometimes known as excess liability or personal liability insurance, umbrella insurance doesn't stand alone. Instead, it supplements other liability policies most people already have in place, such as auto, homeowners, or renters insurance. It's designed to kick in when the liability coverage on those policies has been exhausted.

"The main purpose of an umbrella policy is to protect you and your assets from the financial fallout of common risk scenarios like owning a swimming pool or even from certain unforeseen events," explains Matthew Kenigsberg, CFA, CFP®, of Fidelity Financial Solutions.

"Generally, if you get into an automobile accident or someone has a mishap involving your property, you may be held responsible for damages or injuries. Umbrella policies are intended to cover any resulting liability that exceeds the amount covered by your other standard insurance policies," adds Kenigsberg.

In some cases, depending on the provider, umbrella policies can also be written to provide a broader form of coverage, which can cover types of damages not covered by the underlying policies, such as libel or slander, and can help to pay for the costs associated with legal fees.

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Why is umbrella insurance important?

To best answer that question, consider the assets you own, and the role they play in fostering your financial security. When thinking about assets, there are obvious items that come to mind: your car, house, investment accounts, and checking and savings accounts. But more broadly, even your projected stream of future income can be viewed as an asset. In fact, it may even prove to be the most valuable asset of all.

In the event that you become the target of a lawsuit for a substantial sum of money, but don't have enough insurance to cover the damages that may arise, the expenses would have to come out of pocket. This could create significant financial hardship. An umbrella policy can forestall the prospect of financial ruin due to an unintentional misstep or an unforeseeable accident.

You may also wish to consider increasing the liability limits on your auto or homeowners insurance policies. This strategy may suffice for some common mishaps, but may not protect against all potential expenses. For example, a car accident could result in court proceedings, or an idle remark could lead to a lawsuit for slander. Unfortunately, the possibilities are endless.

Umbrella insurance picks up where other liability policies leave off, both in terms of dollar limitations and scope of coverage. Put simply, it provides extra (or "excess") liability coverage and is effectively insurance of last resort, but coverage will not take effect until after other sources of coverage have been used fully.

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How much is umbrella insurance?

The cost of umbrella insurance policy varies depending on the amount of coverage you need to adequately cover your assets. Learn more about umbrella insurance policies and speak to a World Events insurance agent about the level of umbrella coverage that's right for you.

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For more information about personal umbrella insurance, and to find out the right level of coverage for you, speak with a World Events Agent today by calling1-888-389-3900.