What is umbrella insurance?

An umbrella policy sits on top of an existing liability policy and kicks in when the limit of that policy has been reached. The umbrella policy provides an added measure of protection—up to its limit—to coverage like general liability or professional liability (E&O) insurance. For example, if you are required to pay a $125,000 claim but the underlying policy that covers the incident has a $100,000 limit, an umbrella policy can cover the additional $25,000. You must tell your insurance company about your liability policies for the coverage to respond.

What does umbrella insurance cover?

Umbrella insurance can cover costs associated with things like bodily injuries and related medical expenses, damage to customer property, product liability, slander, libel, and copyright infringement. This includes defending against a lawsuit.

What is not covered under an umbrella insurance policy?

Like all insurance, an umbrella insurance policy has certain exclusions. They include damage to property your business owns or leases (since umbrella insurance is only for liability claims), contractual liability, and liability associated with armed conflicts or wars among others. Our insurance experts can provide details.

Do I need umbrella insurance?

The cost of defending just one lawsuit can exceed the limit of liability policies, so it’s a good idea to have the added protection of umbrella insurance. Also, high limits may be required by a contract. Having an umbrella can be a cost-efficient way to have coverage for those limits, especially when the limit requirement is for multiple coverages.

How much umbrella insurance do I need?

The amount of umbrella insurance that a business should have depends on multiple factors. Our insurance experts can help you choose the right amount of coverage.

Why should I get umbrella insurance?

Umbrella insurance can be a cost-effective way to enhance your financial protection without raising your limits. If an underlying policy doesn’t cover the full amount of a claim and you don’t have an umbrella policy, the overage comes out of your company’s revenues or savings.

What should I look for in an umbrella insurance policy?

First, you should be sure it has a limit that’s high enough to cover any amount you’re likely to face over the limit of the underlying liability policy. Second, you should buy insurance from a company you can trust to be there for you when you need them.

Can umbrella insurance protect me from a lawsuit?

Yes, it can, by extending the limit of the underlying liability policy.

Umbrella Insurance From biBerk | Get Coverage Today

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Increase Your Financial Protection With Umbrella Insurance

At biBerk, we've ditched the traditional insurance model in favor of selling our products directly to you online or over the phone. And that means we make it easy to get the umbrella insurance policy you need to pay for damages above and beyond the amounts covered by your existing policies. It's faster, more convenient, and saves you up to 20% compared to other umbrella insurance providers.

What is Small Business Umbrella Insurance?

An umbrella insurance policy helps cover costs associated with:

Bodily injury and related medical expenses
Product liability
Customer property damage
Libel, slander, and copyright infringement
Defending against a lawsuit

In New York, umbrella insurance is known as commercial excess insurance.

How Does Umbrella Insurance Work?

When you have a claim that exceeds the limits of your current policy, umbrella insurance can provide extra coverage to protect your business and assets from financial risk. At biBerk, umbrella insurance is available with existing liability policies.

Keep in mind that umbrella insurance can only be applied to a claim if two things happen:

1. You already have the appropriate underlying liability policy.

For example, if you have general liability insurance with an umbrella policy but you don't have commercial auto insurance, then your umbrella policy only applies to those items covered by general liability.

2. The limits of that policy have been reached.

An Example of Umbrella Insurance in Action

Let’s say Company X is being sued because a customer was severely injured after falling down the stairs when a railing collapsed. She wants Company X to pay her medical bills, loss of wages, and other damages—a total cost of about $2 million. The legal battle drags on, and Company X’s general liability policy maxes out at $1 million. Without their business umbrella insurance policy, Company X would be responsible for the extra $1 million out of pocket if a $2 million verdict is reached. With an umbrella insurance policy, they’re covered for an additional $1 million.

Why biBerk Commercial Umbrella Insurance?

We're the experts when it comes to insuring small businesses.

Save time.

Get a quote entirely online or speak with one of our insurance experts right away for help getting a quote, buying a policy, or answering any questions you may have.

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Save money.

We insure your small business directly, without a middleman or insurance broker, so we pass that savings on to you—up to 20% less than policies with other insurance companies.

Experienced.

We're part of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group with millions of satisfied customers, more than 75 years of insurance experience, and $52.2 billion in paid claims in 2023.

Do I Need a Business Umbrella Policy?

As a business-savvy small company owner or entrepreneur, you’re probably a very risk-aware person. While not generally required, a business umbrella policy that extends the benefits of an underlying liability policy gives you even more peace of mind and security. Just as an umbrella protects you from the rain, a small business umbrella policy tailored to your needs protects your business from expensive claims that fall outside the coverage limits of your other small business insurance policies. Plus, adding umbrella insurance may cost less than increasing the limits of your general liability or commercial auto insurance.

What Does a Business Umbrella Policy NOT Cover?

A business umbrella policy provides coverage for any incident that a liability policy doesn’t specifically exclude. However, as with any insurance policy, there are certain exclusions when it comes to an umbrella insurance policy, such as:

Intentional damage

Damage that you cause on purpose or that can reasonably be expected to result from your actions isn’t covered.

Damage to your property

If you’re held liable for damaging someone else’s property, umbrella coverage may apply, but not when it is your own property.

Contractual Liability

If you agree in a contract to take on liability, it’s not covered by your umbrella policy.

Liability associated with armed conflicts or war.

Costs associated with these types of events aren’t covered by umbrella insurance.

These are just a few examples of umbrella coverage exclusions. If you have any further questions or concerns, our insurance experts can provide more details on the coverages and exclusions of a business umbrella policy.

Enjoy Superior Customer Service from biBerk

When you need assistance of any kind, our licensed experts are just a phone call, email, or chat away. Plus, our small business insurance customers have access to low down payments, all available through biBerk.com. We also offer you and your employees hands-on insurance management and top-of-the-line customer service.

How Much Does Umbrella Insurance Cost?

On Average $200-$400 per Year

As you'll see when you get an umbrella insurance quote from biBerk, on average, the first $1 million of umbrella insurance will cost your small business between $200 and $400 per year. And submitting claims can be done online—no more waiting days or weeks for a claim to go through.

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Add Extra Insurance Coverage

Umbrella small business insurance policies are an affordable way to add extra coverage. Policies are issued in $1 million increments, and the umbrella insurance cost depends on a number of factors, including:

Business activities
Number of employees
Annual revenue
Industry
Number of years in business
Claims history

Other Ways to Protect Your Business with Insurance From biBerk

In addition to commercial umbrella insurance policies, we make it easy to get coverage, report claims, and manage policies online for:

General Liability

Also called commercial liability insurance, this type of insurance covers damages and legal costs associated with incidents like injuries to non-employees (such as in customer or client slip-and-fall accidents at your business location) and property damage. It also covers libel, slander, and copyright infringement, such as in your advertisements. Plus, you can add endorsements to customize your general liability insurance policy, including cyber, employment-related practices liability, and others.

Workers’ Compensation

If your business has employees, your state probably requires you to have workers’ comp coverage. It pays for medical expenses and lost wages from on-the-job injuries or illnesses. It can also pay a death benefit to the family of someone who dies at work.

Professional Liability

Also called errors & omissions insurance or E&O, this type of policy is crucial if you provide professional advice or services. It can protect you if you make a mistake, a client alleges it caused them a financial loss, and they sue you.

Business Owners Policy (BOP)

Also called property & liability insurance, this policy conveniently combines general liability insurance with coverage for the space you operate out of and any property you need to run your business. It also covers business interruption, such as costs to continue or resume your work following a covered loss. You can tailor your BOP with add-ons, including things like cyber and employment-related practices liability.

Commercial Auto

If your company owns or leases vehicles, you likely need commercial auto insurance. It protects the business if someone driving one of your vehicles is at fault in an auto accident that causes third-party property damage or injuries, resulting in a lawsuit.

Cyber

This coverage can be purchased as an add-on to a BOP, general liability, or professional liability policy. It helps cover costs related to system hacks or data security breaches.

Umbrella Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We’re always happy to assist you, but below are answers to some of the questions we’re asked most frequently about umbrella insurance.

What is umbrella insurance?

An umbrella policy sits on top of an existing liability policy and kicks in when the limit of that policy has been reached. The umbrella policy provides an added measure of protection—up to its limit—to coverage like general liability or professional liability (E&O) insurance. For example, if you are required to pay a $125,000 claim but the underlying policy that covers the incident has a $100,000 limit, an umbrella policy can cover the additional $25,000. You must tell your insurance company about your liability policies for the coverage to respond.
What does umbrella insurance cover?

Umbrella insurance can cover costs associated with things like bodily injuries and related medical expenses, damage to customer property, product liability, slander, libel, and copyright infringement. This includes defending against a lawsuit.
What is not covered under an umbrella insurance policy?

Like all insurance, an umbrella insurance policy has certain exclusions. They include damage to property your business owns or leases (since umbrella insurance is only for liability claims), contractual liability, and liability associated with armed conflicts or wars among others. Our insurance experts can provide details.
Do I need umbrella insurance?

The cost of defending just one lawsuit can exceed the limit of liability policies, so it’s a good idea to have the added protection of umbrella insurance. Also, high limits may be required by a contract. Having an umbrella can be a cost-efficient way to have coverage for those limits, especially when the limit requirement is for multiple coverages.
How much umbrella insurance do I need?

The amount of umbrella insurance that a business should have depends on multiple factors. Our insurance experts can help you choose the right amount of coverage.
Why should I get umbrella insurance?

Umbrella insurance can be a cost-effective way to enhance your financial protection without raising your limits. If an underlying policy doesn’t cover the full amount of a claim and you don’t have an umbrella policy, the overage comes out of your company’s revenues or savings.
What should I look for in an umbrella insurance policy?

First, you should be sure it has a limit that’s high enough to cover any amount you’re likely to face over the limit of the underlying liability policy. Second, you should buy insurance from a company you can trust to be there for you when you need them.
Can umbrella insurance protect me from a lawsuit?

Yes, it can, by extending the limit of the underlying liability policy.

Get an Umbrella Insurance Quote Today

Ready to add umbrella insurance to your existing biBerk liability policy?