why you need umbrella insurance

why you need umbrella insurance
October 1, 2018
By Safeco
Life is unpredictable. Of course, you already know this. But have you considered all the risks you currently face? Distracted drivers. People using social media to expose others' dirty laundry. Teen drivers, carpools, pets, parties, and even your occasional housekeeper are all examples of everyday risks.

Our society is also more litigious than ever, and lawsuits are commonplace. So it isn't a question of whether something unexpected will happen, it's really a question of when, and how bad it will be.

Many people only carry $100,000 of liability coverage. It sounds like a lot of money, and it is! But, when you're talking about serious injury, especially if multiple people are involved, $100,000 doesn't go very far when you consider medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, emotional distress, residual pain and scarring, and more.

Here's the scary question: what happens if someone gets hurt and you don't have enough insurance?

That's why umbrella insurance is so important!

If you're like many people, you’ve never heard of umbrella insurance. Simply put, it adds an extra $1 million, or more, of coverage above your existing policies. It gives you greater peace of mind and protects you against life's unexpected surprises.

You don't have to be a millionaire to be sued like it.

Umbrella coverage isn't just for high earners. It's for everyone, especially if you:
  • Own a home
  • Have regular income
  • Have retirement savings and other assets to protect
  • Entertain guests in your home
  • Have a teenage driver
  • Host sleepovers, children's parties, carpool children or allow your teen to babysit
  • Serve on a volunteer board or participate in your HOA
  • Use social media
  • Own rental properties
  • Travel outside the U.S.
  • Own a watercraft, RV, snowmobile, ATV, golf cart or other "toy"
  • Have pets
  • Own firearms or other recreational weapons
How many of these apply to your life? Each one increases your liability and your need for a risk assessment with an independent agent. Understanding your risk helps you better protect yourself and your family.

What if your home or auto insurance doesn't cover a loss?

Were you aware that home and auto insurance doesn’t protect you against every type of liability?

Consider these two hypothetical scenarios:

You hear a juicy piece of gossip about one of your neighbors. You share it with your closest friends at a neighborhood BBQ and swear them to silence. Of course, as gossip often does, it gets back to this person. You get sued for slander, but many homeowners policies don't cover slander.

Or,

You've saved the money to go on a romantic vacation to Europe. Instead of taking a tour, you decide to rent a car and see all the major sights on your own timeline. Unfortunately, you forget to drive on the other side of the road and cause a collision and someone is hurt — but your auto policy doesn't cover you while you're outside the U.S. or Canada.

In both these hypothetical scenarios, a Safeco umbrella policy may have provided coverage to protect you even though there was no coverage from the primary homeowners or auto insurance (subject to policy limitations and conditions, of course). It might also help with the attorney fees!

The bottom line: a Safeco personal umbrella policy could help protect you from a variety of risks when the unexpected happens.

Peace of mind costs less than you think.

Without an umbrella policy, your assets, savings, and even your future income could be at risk if you are held legally responsible for a claim. For about the cost of a dollar a day, umbrella coverage offers an affordable way to prepare for the unpredictable.

Contact your independent agent for a quote or a risk assessment. Click here to learn more about umbrella insurance
Topics
understanding insurance