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Accidents can happen, no matter how careful you are. Even if you make every effort to help ensure that your house and the surrounding area are safe for visitors, rain, snow, or ice can cause slippery stairs and walkways. You might face an increased risk of having a liability claim filed against you if you have a dog, a swimming pool, a trampoline, employ workers in your home, or own a rental property. Or you could be held responsible for a serious auto accident — a special concern if you have a teenage driver.
American society is litigious, and some legal judgments seem excessive. Standard homeowners and auto insurance policies generally cover personal liability, but you may not have enough coverage to protect your income and assets in the event of a high-dollar judgment. That's when umbrella insurance could be a big help, providing additional coverage, up to policy limits.
On top of the liability coverage amount, an umbrella policy may help pay legal expenses and compensation for time off from work to defend yourself in court. It might also cover situations not included in standard homeowners policies, such as libel, slander, invasion of privacy, and defamation of character.
Umbrella insurance is not just for wealthy households; it is also appropriate for middle-income families with substantial home equity, retirement savings, and current and future income that could be used to satisfy a large jury award. (Home equity might be protected, at least in part, by state law. Qualified retirement plan assets may have some protection from creditors under federal and/or state law, depending on the plan and jurisdiction, but you would still be liable for any judgments.)
Although coverage and costs vary by insurer, you can typically obtain $1 million in coverage for $300 or less per year; higher coverage amounts can be even more cost-effective. Before adding umbrella insurance, however, you generally must purchase a certain amount of liability coverage on your homeowners and auto policies (typically $300,000 and $250,000, respectively), which serve as a deductible for the umbrella policy.1
Your insurer can help you determine how much current liability protection you have, and how much more you can purchase. It might be helpful to consider your assets, potential exposure, and what you consider to be an acceptable risk.