Umbrella Policy / Excess Liability Insurance

What is Umbrella / Excess Liability Coverage?

Companies both large and small encounter new and complex exposures in today's environment of rapid technological changes and increasing litigiousness. Umbrella Policies and Excess Liability Insurance Policies provide a method for companies, organizations and priviate individuals to protect themselves from the financial burden of a catastrophic jury award.

Umbrella Liability Insurance:

• Provides additional liaiblity limits over the scheduled underlying policies
• Insures against bodily injury, property damage, personal injury and advertising injury losses on an occurrence / offense basis, when no underlying insurance applies

Excess Liability Insurance:

• Follows the insurance form, limiting gaps in the underlying insurance coverage by adopting the provisions of your scheduled primary policies (with few exceptions)
• Allows greater flexibility in adapting to various or unique primary insurance policies, such as miscellaneous professional / errors and omissions liability, global, aviation, marine and liquor

Umbrella liability coverage is often offered as an optional coverage at an additional premium on a Business Owners Policy (BOP)  or Commercial Package Policy (CPP). Either Umbrella Coverage or Excess Liability Insurance can also be included in a customized commercial insurance plan.

Shopping for Umbrella / Excess Liability Insurance?

Brunswick Companies' team of commercial insurance specialists provides the expertise to help you identify your exposures and simplify your insurance purchase, providing the information you need to make an informed decision. We will work with you one-on-one to identify the umbrella policy or excess liability coverage plan that suits your specific needs. 

Comparing Umbrella Liability Coverage 

Brunswick Companies offers umbrella policies and excess liability insurance policies from wide range of top ranked insurers. All of the insurers we represent have received ratings of A- (excellent) or better from A.M. Best Company.

There is no standard umbrella policy. Therefore, coverage comparison is a must. With over 35 years of commercial insurance experience, we have the know-how and industry contacts to match your needs with the plan that best suits your goals.  Key ares of comparison are:

• Exclusions
• Retentions
• Whether a follow-form is offered over unusual underlying exposures
• Limits
• Defense Cost (in or out of limits)
• Pays on behalf or reimburses

Who Should Consider Purchasing an Umbrella or Excess Liability Policy? 

Businesses or associations should consider carrying either an an umbrella or an excess liability policy because of the potential for catastrophic loss due to the number of persons in the establishments who could be suffer a loss.

Private individuals may also purchase personal umbrella liability insurance to provide protection over and above their home insurance and auto insurance coverage.