Be aware that commercial umbrella insurance adds an extra layer of protection to an existing, underlying policy. For example, if you don’t have a general liability insurance policy, you can’t get commercial umbrella coverage.
Business Umbrella Insurance Limits
Insurance companies write business umbrella insurance policies with aggregate limits. These limits can range from $1 million to $15 million. This is the maximum amount your insurance company will cover for any claims made during your policy period.
What Is Not Covered by a Business Umbrella Policy?
Commercial umbrella insurance doesn’t cover all liability claims. It also doesn’t extend the limits of certain policies, like
commercial property insurance.
Let’s say a fire significantly damages your business’ equipment. The cost to replace and repair your property exceeds your commercial property limits. You’d have to cover the difference out of pocket because commercial umbrella insurance doesn’t cover business property claims.
Who Should Purchase Commercial Umbrella Insurance?
Typically, the more small businesses interact with clients and customers in person, the higher their liability risks. Your risks can be even greater if your employees use heavy machinery or dangerous equipment.
If you think the cost of a claim could exceed your liability limits, it’s a good idea to consider commercial umbrella insurance. This coverage can help if your business:
- Frequently interacts with customers
- Works on someone else’s property
- Allows the public to visit during open hours
If people can visit your business, it increases the risk of bodily injury. For example, wholesalers often work with machinery to restock shelves during business hours. Using this type of equipment around customers poses a risk of injury. If someone gets hurt, you can face costly medical expenses and lawsuits exceeding your general liability limits.
Working offsite can also increase your business’ liability risk. For example, if your employees are working at a client’s house, there’s a higher risk of property damage. They can accidentally:
- Put holes in the walls
- Break windows
- Damage cars