A business umbrella policy is a contract that offers coverages for liability claims above and beyond limits paid by certain underlining liability policies provided by the business. The coverage goes in effect when the other underlining liability coverages terminate. The named insured in the umbrella policy is legally responsible for keeping in force particular scheduled underlining policies. Any changes in the status, terms, and conditions of the underlining policies must be reported to the insurance provider providing the Umbrella coverage.
Coverage Limits of Umbrella: The Umbrella coverage comes with limits of $1 to $5 millions. Many companies may not provide more than $5 millions. However, a number of insurance companies may offer higher limit levels.
Excess Vs Umbrella Liability Insurance: Although used interchangeably, insurance professionals think that there is a substantial distinction between Excess liability policies and Umbrella policies. In most instances, policies labeled 'Excess Liability Insurance' provide only extension of the same coverages provided by the underlining policies, while Umbrella policies will fill some gaps by offering coverages for losses that are not covered by the underlining policies.
Self Insured Retention or SIR: This is the amount which the insured person has to pay before the Umbrella policy kicks in for particular losses that do not have coverage under any underlining policy. For example, if your SIR is $10,000 then your Umbrella policy will pay for certain liability losses that are not covered under the underlining policies, above and beyond that amount of $10,000. SIR may be relinquished by policy amendment but the customer has to pay additional premiums.
Umbrella Underlining Insurance Policies. The following is a list of the underlining policies for Umbrella insurance policies.
- Commercial General Liability. The types, forms, and limits of coverage are vital factors which distinguish one policy from another one.
- Business Auto Liability Types and Limits. In addition to the limits of coverage, special attention is to be paid to the characteristics of drivers, their ages and driving record history. Also, types of trucks and radius of operations, FHWA filing requirements can all become very important factors in determining the rates of umbrella insurance.
- Business Watercraft. The forms and limits of the watercraft policy along with people involved in operating the watercraft will affect the rates and the underwriting guidelines of the umbrella policy.
- Workers Compensation and Employers Liability. Limits of liability and state exposure are important factors that will affect the rates of Umbrella policy.
- Professional Liability Forms, Types and Limits
- Liquor Liability Limits
Factors Affecting Rates and Issuing of Umbrella Insurance
Description of Operations: Umbrella insurance rates differ based on a number of factors, first of which is description of operations. No two Umbrella contracts have the same rates, due to the fact that different businesses have different risk exposures. Other issues lead to elevated risk, hence rates, of the Umbrella insurance. These factors include exposures to habitation, exposure to swimming pools, athletic and sport facilities, as well as exposure to use of liquor and live entertainment.
If there is habitation exposure, full description of that exposure becomes important; such as the number of units, construction type, age and number of stories of the building; nature and rates of occupancy, etc.
In situations where liquor is consumed, insurance companies normally worry about the size of operation, live entertainment available, safety and security provided. Offering and sponsoring sport activities such as swimming or gymnastics may mandate that the business provides to the insurance companies facts about the nature of facilities/ activities, security measures, and other risk management measures.
Searching for an Umbrella policy can be an easy task. Contacting an independent insurance agent is a good start. Independent insurance agents have access to many insurers and can provide more quality quotes at competitive prices.