Commercial Excess Liability, A Key Coverage for Your Business

In the year 2000, it was uncommon for a company to be sued for more than a million dollars. In 2021, it is not uncommon for a business to have several large claims going on at the same time. A large judgment against your company could damage your reputation and might even put you out of business. Whether you believe you are at fault or not, you are at risk of being sued and having to defend yourself.

An Umbrella or Excess Liability policy provides additional insurance protection for your business.  Umbrella or Excess Liability coverage applies in excess of or above your Primary policies such as Automobile Liability and General Liability coverage, and may also go over Worker’s Compensation, Professional Liability and Directors & Officers Liability coverage.  Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance kicks in when your primary limits have been exhausted.

Actual Claim Examples:

A delivery van failed to stop at a red light and ran into a vehicle. The result was a $3.5 million dollar judgment for brain damage to the injured party.

A man suffered severe food poisoning at a restaurant after eating food that was spoiled. The restaurant was sued for injuries. The award was for $1.8 million dollars.

There is a distinct difference between an Umbrella and an Excess Liability policy:

Umbrella Liability not only provides excess limits of liability above your underlying policies, but may also provide protection when there is no underlying insurance. It can broaden your commercial insurance to help eliminate gaps in coverage.

Excess Liability Insurance provides you with additional limits of liability above the underlying policies shown in the schedule. This type of policy is more restrictive than an Umbrella Liability policy.

The Excess or Umbrella Insurance policies we provide can be written for most every industry including, but not limited to:

• Nonprofits
• Medical and Health Industries
• Churches
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Distribution
• Technology
• Financial Services
• Retail & Hospitality
• Arts & Entertainment

Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance will not cover everything; there are exclusions just as with any other insurance policy.  However, it still represents an excellent method to help protect your business from catastrophic liability claims. Contact us to discuss securing this valuable form of coverage. It could help preserve your business.