What are the pros and cons of umbrella insurance?

Umbrella insurance covers claims that exceed your home and auto liability coverage or that involve situations not covered by a standard liability policy, such as libel or slander. Because it extends your liability insurance, an umbrella policy covers injuries to others or damage to their property. But umbrella insurance does … read full answernot cover claims that are excluded outright from liability insurance, such as intentional damage or damage to your own property.

What Umbrella Insurance Covers

• Liability in excess of auto/home insurance policy limits
• Libel and slander
• Malicious prosecution
• Psychological harm and mental anguish
• Legal defense costs related to liability claims
• Liabilities when traveling overseas
• False arrest

Umbrella insurance is typically recommended for individuals who have a high net-worth that can’t be covered by a standard liability policy. To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to umbrella insurance.

An umbrella insurance policy does not cover your own injuries or damages to your own home, car or property. Personal umbrella insurance also will not cover intentional acts, criminal behavior, damage caused while you’re performing business activities, or damage from certain dogs or vehicle types. If you need umbrella insurance for business purposes, you can purchase a commercial umbrella policy.… read full answer

What Umbrella Insurance Does Not Cover

• Your own injuries or property damage
• Property damage or injuries that you intentionally cause
• Damage that you cause while committing a criminal act
• Property damage or injuries that you cause while performing business or professional activities
• Any liability that you assumed through a contract prior to the incident
• Property damage or injuries caused by dog breeds or recreational vehicles that are specifically excluded from your policy

Because umbrella insurance extends the limits on an existing home or auto liability insurance policy, it does not apply to anything that is specifically excluded from the underlying coverage. To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to umbrella insurance.

A $1 million umbrella policy costs around $150 to $300 per year, with the cost increasing a small amount for every additional million. As with any insurance policy, your exact price will depend on individual risk factors, including the number of people in your household and how many cars and properties you own.… read full answer

A $2 million umbrella policy will cost about $75 more than a $1 million policy, by the way. Every additional million in coverage after that will add about $50 to the total cost.

Umbrella insurance provides liability coverage beyond the limits of an auto or personal property policy. For instance, policyholders can file an umbrella insurance claim if they are at-fault in a car accident that causes damage beyond their car insurance limits. Most umbrella policies also cover claims for things like libel, slander, and accidents that occur abroad.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s complete guide to umbrella insurance.