Do I Need a Commercial Umbrella Insurance Policy?

August 23, 2021 | Insurance 101, Commercial Umbrella

Small businesses that have purchased insurance policies like workers’ compensation, general liability, and professional liability (also called errors & omissions or E&O) from biBERK will sometimes ask, “Do I need a commercial umbrella insurance policy?” 

 The answer depends on factors like the limits on the existing policies (i.e., the maximum amount the insurer will pay). But it’s never a bad idea to have additional coverage to complement your biBERK policy. 

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What is Commercial Umbrella Insurance?

Commercial umbrella insurance is coverage that “sits on top” of other liability policies. It can provide coverage for claims that exceed the limits of those policies. Without umbrella insurance, you may have to pay for any overage out of pocket. This includes things like:

  • Repair costs
  • Legal fees
  • Medical bills

For example, imagine that your employee causes a serious accident while driving a company vehicle. You’re sued and required to pay $1,250,000 for the judgment and court costs, but your commercial auto policy has a $1,000,000 limit. An umbrella policy can kick in to cover the $250,000 difference so that you don’t have to pay it.

What Does a Commercial Umbrella Insurance Policy NOT Cover?

A commercial umbrella policy provides coverage for any incident that an underlying liability policy doesn’t specifically exclude. However, there are certain exclusions, including:

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    Damage to your own property. Umbrella coverage doesn’t apply if you damage your property
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    Intentional or expected damage. If you cause damage on purpose or should reasonably expect that your actions will cause damage, it isn’t covered. 
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    Contractual liability. If you agree in a contract to take on liability, it’s not covered by your umbrella policy.

These are just a few common types of exclusions. It’s important to understand all the exclusions that apply before purchasing an umbrella insurance policy.

What Does Coverage Cost? Get an Umbrella Insurance Quote.

The best way to understand what you’ll pay for coverage is to get a fast, online umbrella insurance quote. Generally speaking, the first $1 million of umbrella insurance will only cost your small business between $17 and $33 per month. 

When business owners consider the amount of protection and peace of mind obtained for a few hundred dollars, most find the cost to be very reasonable. Plus, when you get an umbrella insurance quote and then buy your policy from biBERK, you can save up to 20% over other providers thanks to our no-middleman, direct-to-you approach.

Should I Purchase an Umbrella Insurance Policy?

Typically, the more you and our employees interact with customers or clients, the higher your liability risk is and the more important it is to have an umbrella insurance policy. So, for example, if your customers visit your place of business regularly, your potential for being sued is higher. Your risk may also be higher if you use power tools or operate heavy machinery in your work. 

It’s also important to consider that purchasing an umbrella insurance policy may, in some instances, be more cost-effective than raising your liability policy limits. Our licensed insurance experts can help you crunch the numbers. Contact us at your convenience.

Umbrella Insurance for Small Businesses: Get Coverage in Minutes

It surprises some owners that umbrella insurance for small businesses is so easy to obtain. At biBERK, you can get an umbrella insurance quote and then make your purchase online in a matter of minutes. And, again, licensed insurance experts are available to assist you if you have any questions. Then, if you ever have to file a claim, you can do that online as well.