Higher liability limits
Commercial umbrella insurance for higher liability limits
A serious accident or lawsuit can cost more than your primary policy limits. A commercial umbrella policy adds another layer of liability protection above your general liability, commercial auto, and employer’s liability coverage. Kaufman Insurance Group compares commercial umbrella options for businesses of many sizes.
- Extra limits above your main liability policies
- Help meeting contract and lease insurance requirements
- One layer that can sit over multiple policies
Personal & Commercial · Quick Quotes – Good Rates · Great Companies
As an independent agency, we compare commercial umbrella insurance from the companies we work with, and we can also shop many other commercial insurance companies through wholesale partners. The companies that can quote you depend on your type of business, your underlying policies, where you operate, and each company’s own rules.
These logos show some of the insurance companies Kaufman Insurance Group may be able to quote as an independent agency. Showing a logo does not mean the company endorses us. Which companies can offer you coverage depends on the type of insurance, where you live, and each company’s own rules.
The basics
What commercial umbrella insurance is
Your general liability, commercial auto, and employer’s liability policies each have limits. If a covered claim goes past those limits, your business could be responsible for the rest.
A commercial umbrella adds another layer of liability protection above those policies. It usually only pays after the underlying policy has paid its full limit.
Umbrellas are common for businesses with vehicles on the road, customers on site, or contracts and leases that call for higher limits.
Umbrella
A layer above multiple policies that may, in some cases, be broader than the policies beneath it.
Excess liability
A layer that generally follows the terms of the policy beneath it.
Know what you are choosing
What a commercial umbrella can sit over
Coverage depends on your underlying policies and the umbrella’s own terms.
General liability
Injuries and property damage tied to your premises, operations, and products.
Commercial auto
Accidents involving your business vehicles and drivers.
Employer’s liability
Lawsuits over employee injuries, as part of a workers’ compensation policy.
Legal defense
Many umbrellas help with defense costs for covered claims, depending on the policy.
Contract requirements
Higher limits that customers, landlords, and general contractors may require.
Multiple locations
One umbrella can often sit over policies for more than one location.
Is it right for you
Businesses that often carry an umbrella
If one serious claim could go past your current limits, an umbrella is worth a look.
Businesses with vehicles
Fleets, contractors, and delivery businesses with vehicles on the road every day.
Contractors
Trades working on job sites where contracts call for higher limits.
Property owners
Commercial landlords and owners of buildings open to the public.
Businesses with customers on site
Stores, restaurants, and service businesses where the public comes and goes.
Did a contract ask for higher limits? An agent can help you find a way to meet it.
How Kaufman helps
How we help you add an umbrella
We look at the policies you already have and find an umbrella that fits over them.
Share your current policies
Send your general liability, auto, and workers’ compensation declarations pages and any contract requirements.
We compare companies
An agent reviews umbrella options and explains what limits your underlying policies may need.
Choose your limit
Pick the umbrella limit that fits your contracts and your comfort level.
We focus on Ohio and North Carolina, and we can also help businesses in most other states. Beyond the companies we work with directly, we can also shop many other commercial insurance companies through wholesale partners.
Common questions
Commercial umbrella questions
What is a commercial umbrella policy?
It is a liability policy that pays after your underlying policies, such as general liability, commercial auto, and employer’s liability, reach their limits. It adds more total protection for covered claims.
What is the difference between umbrella and excess liability?
The terms are often used together. An excess policy generally follows the terms of the policy beneath it. An umbrella can sometimes be broader and may cover some claims the underlying policy does not, subject to its own terms. Each policy’s wording controls.
Do I need an umbrella if my contract requires higher limits?
Often, an umbrella is how businesses meet contract, lease, or customer requirements for higher liability limits. Share the requirement with us so we can look at options.
Does a commercial umbrella cover my professional mistakes?
Usually not. Umbrella policies generally sit over general liability, auto, and employer’s liability. Claims about professional advice or services usually need professional liability coverage.
Is a personal umbrella the same thing?
No. A personal umbrella sits over your personal home and auto policies. A commercial umbrella sits over your business policies.
What do I need to qualify?
Most companies require certain limits on your underlying policies before they will offer an umbrella. We can review your current policies and explain what would need to change.
Related coverage
Coverage that works with a commercial umbrella
General liability insurance
Protection if your business is blamed for injuring someone or damaging their property.
Explore general liabilityCommercial auto insurance
Coverage for the work trucks, vans, and cars your business uses.
Explore commercial auto insuranceWorkers’ compensation outside Ohio
Coverage for employees in North Carolina and most other states.
Explore workers’ compensationFleet insurance
Coverage for businesses that run multiple trucks, vans, or cars.
Explore fleet insurancePersonal umbrella insurance
Extra liability protection over your personal home and auto policies.
Explore personal umbrellaCommercial insurance hub
See all the business insurance we can help with, from liability and property to vehicles and contractors.
Explore commercial insuranceReady to raise your liability limits?
Start a commercial umbrella quote online, or contact us with questions. An agent will help you compare your options.
Prefer to talk? Call (330) 486-8404.