How Does Umbrella Insurance Work?

If you’re like most people, you probably have some form of insurance to protect your home, car, and health. But what about protecting your assets? That’s where umbrella insurance comes in. Kingston Insurance Agency LLC South Kingstown, RI is here to explain how this policy works and why you may need it.

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

An umbrella policy is an insurance policy that acts as a safety net, providing liability coverage over and above the limits of your other policies. It kicks in when you’ve reached the limit on those other policies and can help provide financial protection in the event that you’re sued for damages. 

For example, let’s say you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, and the other driver sues you for $500,000. If you have a $300,000 limit on your auto insurance policy, the umbrella policy would kick in to cover the remaining $200,000. Umbrella insurance can also provide coverage for claims that may not be covered by your other policies, such as libel or slander. 

How Much Umbrella Insurance Do You Need?

The amount of coverage you need will depend on several factors, such as the assets you own, the amount of liability coverage you already have, and your risk tolerance. 

As a general rule of thumb, experts recommend carrying umbrella insurance equal to at least 1-2 times your net worth. So if you have a net worth of $500,000, you should carry $1 million to $2 million in umbrella coverage. 

Of course, this is just a general guideline. You may need more (or less) depending on your unique circumstances. A good place to start is by looking at the limits on your homeowners and auto insurance policies and determining whether those limits are adequate to protect your assets. If not, then umbrella insurance is probably a good idea. 

In most cases, umbrella insurance policies start at $1 million in coverage but can go up to $5 million or more. The cost of an umbrella policy will depend on the amount of coverage you purchase as well as factors like your age, gender, credit score, driving record, and claims history. 

Get Umbrella Insurance Today

Umbrella insurance can go a long way in helping you. Now that you know how it works, contact Kingston Insurance Agency LLC in South Kingstown, RI for a quote or consultation.