Umbrella Insurance for Life's Unexpected Moments.
When the unexpected happens, your standard policy limits may not be enough. Umbrella insurance provides an extra layer of liability protection that kicks in when your home or auto coverage is exhausted.
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What Umbrella Insurance Protects
Umbrella insurance sits on top of your existing home and auto policies, providing additional liability coverage when a claim exceeds your base policy limits.
Excess Liability
Provides $1 million or more in additional liability coverage beyond your home and auto policy limits.
Lawsuit Protection
Helps cover legal defense costs, attorney fees, and settlement amounts for covered liability claims.
Broad Coverage
May cover claims not included in standard policies, such as libel, slander, and false imprisonment.
Worldwide Coverage
Many umbrella policies provide liability protection that follows you anywhere in the world.
Rental Property Liability
Extends liability protection to rental properties you own, subject to policy terms.
Teen Driver Protection
Provides extra liability if a young driver in your household causes a serious accident.
Do You Need Umbrella Insurance?
You Own a Home
Homeowners with significant equity or value in their property should consider umbrella coverage.
You Have Teen Drivers
Young drivers increase your liability risk. Umbrella insurance provides peace of mind.
You Own Rental Property
Landlords face unique liability risks. Umbrella extends protection beyond landlord policy limits.
You Have a Pool or Trampoline
These attractive nuisances increase your liability exposure significantly.
You Host Events
Parties and gatherings increase the risk of injury claims on your property.
You Have Savings or Investments
A lawsuit can target your assets. Umbrella insurance protects your financial future.
How to Determine Your Umbrella Insurance Needs
Figuring out how much umbrella coverage you need doesn't have to be complicated. Here's a practical approach to calculating the right amount of protection for your family.
Calculate Your Net Worth
Add up your assets: home equity, savings, investments, retirement accounts, and future earning potential. Your umbrella limit should at least equal your net worth to protect against lawsuits that could wipe out your savings.
Assess Your Risk Factors
Consider what increases your liability risk: teen drivers, swimming pools, trampolines, rental properties, high-income professions, and frequent entertaining. Higher risk means you should carry higher umbrella limits.
Review Your Base Policy Limits
Umbrella insurance kicks in after your home and auto liability limits are exhausted. Make sure your base policies meet the minimum required limits (typically $250K/$500K auto, $300K home) to qualify for umbrella coverage.
Consider Future Earnings
A lawsuit can garnish future wages. Even if your current assets are modest, high earners should carry umbrella coverage to protect their income stream and future financial security.
Factor in Rental Properties
If you own rental properties, each one adds liability risk. An umbrella policy can extend protection across all your properties, shielding your personal assets from rental-related claims.
Start with $1 Million
Most families start with $1 million in umbrella coverage, which is surprisingly affordable. You can increase to $2 million, $5 million, or more as your assets grow. Each additional $1 million typically costs just $75-150 per year.
What Affects Your Umbrella Insurance Rate in Illinois
Umbrella insurance is one of the most affordable types of coverage, but several factors influence your premium. Understanding these helps you make informed decisions.
Coverage Limit
Higher umbrella limits cost more, but the cost per million decreases. A $2 million policy isn't double the cost of a $1 million policy—each additional million is typically $75-150 per year.
Household Drivers
The number of drivers in your household, their ages, and driving records all affect your umbrella premium. Teen drivers and drivers with violations increase the cost.
Underlying Policies
Your home and auto liability limits and claims history influence your umbrella rate. Carriers require minimum base limits to qualify for umbrella coverage.
Location
Your state and local area's litigation environment and claim frequency can affect your umbrella premium. Illinois is a moderate-cost state for umbrella coverage.
Rental Properties
Owning rental properties adds liability exposure and may increase your umbrella premium. Some carriers require separate commercial umbrellas for large portfolios.
Claims History
A history of liability claims or lawsuits can increase your umbrella premium or make it harder to qualify. A clean record keeps your rates low.
Illinois Umbrella Insurance Considerations
Illinois laws, weather patterns, and driving conditions create unique considerations for umbrella insurance. Here's what Illinois families should understand.
Illinois Minimum Auto Liability Limits Are Low
Illinois requires only $25,000/$50,000 in bodily injury liability. In a serious accident, this is far from enough. An umbrella policy provides $1 million or more in additional protection, which can be the difference between financial security and bankruptcy.
High-Risk Intersections & Traffic
Chicago-area traffic and high-risk intersections increase the likelihood of serious accidents. If you commute in Illinois, especially in the south suburbs, umbrella insurance provides essential protection beyond your auto policy limits.
Winter Driving Accidents
Illinois winters bring ice, snow, and reduced visibility—conditions that increase accident severity. A serious winter accident can easily exceed standard auto liability limits, making umbrella coverage especially valuable.
Swimming Pools & Attractive Nuisances
If you own a pool, trampoline, or playset, you have higher liability exposure. Illinois law holds homeowners responsible for injuries to children attracted to these features, even if they trespass. Umbrella insurance provides critical protection.
Landlord Liability in Illinois
If you own rental property in Illinois, you face liability from tenant injuries, property damage claims, and fair housing disputes. An umbrella policy extends your liability protection beyond your landlord policy limits.
Common Umbrella Insurance Questions
How much umbrella insurance do I need?
A common rule is to carry umbrella coverage equal to your net worth. Most families start with $1 million in coverage, but higher limits are available. We help you calculate the right amount based on your assets and risk profile.
What does umbrella insurance cover?
Umbrella insurance covers liability claims that exceed the limits of your home or auto policy, including bodily injury, property damage, and certain lawsuits. It may also cover claims not included in standard policies, like libel or slander.
Is umbrella insurance expensive?
No. Umbrella insurance is one of the most affordable types of coverage. A $1 million policy typically costs between $150 and $300 per year, depending on your risk factors.
Do I need umbrella insurance if I don't have a high net worth?
Even if your assets are modest, a lawsuit can target future earnings and retirement accounts. Umbrella insurance protects your financial future regardless of your current net worth.
Does umbrella insurance cover my teen drivers?
Yes. Umbrella insurance provides extra liability protection if a young driver in your household causes a serious accident. This is one of the most valuable uses of umbrella coverage for families with teen drivers.
Does umbrella insurance cover my rental properties?
Yes, many umbrella policies extend liability protection to rental properties you own, subject to policy terms. This is essential for landlords who want to protect their personal assets from rental-related lawsuits.
What is not covered by umbrella insurance?
Umbrella insurance does not cover damage to your own property, injuries to yourself, or business liability (unless you have a commercial umbrella). It covers liability for damage or injuries you cause to others.
How do I qualify for umbrella insurance?
Most carriers require minimum underlying liability limits on your home and auto policies (typically $250,000/$500,000 for auto and $300,000 for home). We help you verify your base policies meet the requirements.
Umbrella Insurance Quote Process
Share Details
Tell us about your assets
Review Policies
We check your current limits
Compare Options
We shop multiple carriers
Choose Coverage
Select the right limit
Add an Extra Layer of Protection.
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