--- title: The Importance of Personal Umbrella Policies description: Learn about the importance of personal umbrella policies for protecting your assets in case of serious accidents or lawsuits. Find out why wealthy individuals need to consider getting sufficient coverage. image: https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/SafeHarbor/Blog_Asset/Umbrella-Policy.jpg --- 167 East Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743 [info@InvestSafeHarbor.com](mailto:info@InvestSafeHarbor.com) [(631) 421-4341](tel:(631)%20421-4341) [![Available Property Listings](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21593960/3b103598-ae48-4c52-9462-bef9083faf87.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21593960/3b103598-ae48-4c52-9462-bef9083faf87) [![safeharborlogo-250](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SafeHarbor/safeharborlogo-250.png?width=250&height=77&name=safeharborlogo-250.png "safeharborlogo-250")](https://investsafeharbor.com/) - [Home](https://investsafeharbor.com/) - [About Us](https://investsafeharbor.com/about/) - [Our Leadership](https://investsafeharbor.com/ourleadership/) - [Wealth Management](https://investsafeharbor.com/wealth-management/) - [1031 Exchanges](https://investsafeharbor.com/1031exchange/) - [About 1031 Exchanges](https://investsafeharbor.com/1031exchange/) - [1031 Resources](https://investsafeharbor.com/1031exchange/resources/) - [DSTs](https://investsafeharbor.com/1031exchange/dst/) - [Closed Properties](https://investsafeharbor.com/1031exchange/properties/) - [Blog](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://investsafeharbor.com/contact/) - Client Login - [Available Properties Portal](https://investsafeharbor.com/properties-login/) - [Black Diamond](https://login.bdreporting.com/Auth/SignIn) [![Available Properties](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21593960/24f1e041-ad00-435b-b932-74236070e5c9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21593960/24f1e041-ad00-435b-b932-74236070e5c9) ![Umbrella-Policy](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/SafeHarbor/Blog_Asset/Umbrella-Policy.jpg) [Uncategorized](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/uncategorized) [Adminsafeharbor](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/author/adminsafeharbor) Mar 12, 2020  0  comments - - - - [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.investsafeharbor.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-importance-of-personal-umbrella-policies%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.investsafeharbor.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-importance-of-personal-umbrella-policies](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.investsafeharbor.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-importance-of-personal-umbrella-policies%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.investsafeharbor.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-importance-of-personal-umbrella-policies) # The Importance of Personal Umbrella Policies What would happen if you or your child caused a car accident that resulted in serious injuries or the deaths of others? How would you pay for the treatment and damage of someone who was hurt in your home and claimed negligence? What happens when they claim to have suffered greatly because of the injury? What if your dog was attacked by a stranger on your property and bit the person in self-defense-but you were still sued? These are questions that anyone could face. However, one component of a wealth protection plan that is often overlooked or underused-even by the affluent-is the umbrella policy. Here’s why an umbrella policy can make sense if you have significant assets.   **The Benefits of Umbrella’s** You have insurance policies on your house and vehicles. You might also insure other types of property you own (boats, airplanes, etc.). But do you have enough coverage, considering your personal wealth? If you’re financially successful, the answer may be a resounding no. The reason is that most insurance policies top out at around $500,000 of liability coverage. That may not be enough if you find yourself involved in a serious accident. For example, people who get hurt on your property may seek much much more than $500,0000 in damages. That’s where an umbrella policy (also called an excess liability policy) can make a big difference. An umbrella policy kicks in when your other liability policies (such as your car insurance) hit their limit. For instance, let’s say you are involved in an accident and are being sued for $1 Million, but your car insurance covers only $300,000. In that case, your umbrella policy could cover the difference so you don’t have to use personal assets. Clearly, then, an umbrella policy can be useful in helping to protect your assets from larger claims and lawsuits. To have an umbrella policy, you need to have the other insurance policies, such as car or homeowner’s insurance, already in place. Make sure there isn’t a gap between your other policies and your umbrella policy. Where your car insurance ends, for example, the umbrella should take over-otherwise, you’re on the hook for that gap. And if the underlying car insurance policy is not addressing certain risks, then the umbrella policy can also miss covering these risks.   **A Big Enough Umbrella?** We find that most wealthy individuals and families don’t have large enough umbrella policies to adequately protect their assets. If a legal judgment is greater than your liability coverage, you are going to have to come up with the difference-which may mean selling assets, possibly at fire-sale prices because of the bind you’re in. A general rule of thumb is that if your net-worth is $20 Million or less, make sure your umbrella policy covers what you’re worth. If you’re worth more than $20 Million, it becomes a question of how much risk you’re comfortable taking on. Many ultra-wealthy individuals, for instance, will get as large and comprehensive an umbrella policy as possible. While the odds of having to use it are in their favor and it’s even more unlikely that they will reach the limits of the policy, the possible financial downside from a serious accident and substantial lawsuit is something they prefer not to to even consider. As one person with a $10 Million umbrella policy told us, “It costs less than putting an attorney on retainer to defend you in the event of a suit.” That said, it can be challenging to insure up to the amount you wish. That’s because some insurance companies cap the size of the policies they offer, usually at $5 Million. If you require more than $5 Million in coverage, you may need to enlist a specialty insurance company, which might be able to offer policies of up to $100 Million.   **Coverage Above and Beyond** An Umbrella Policy usually covers bodily and psychological injuries, and can even include slander, libel and defamation. It can also cover damage caused by someone else for whom you’re responsible, such as a child.   **The Cost of Coverage** How much will a hefty Umbrella Policy set you back? A number of factors determine the cost of coverage, including: - Number of homes and where they are located - Number of cars and the number of people being covered (including their driving histories) - Number of boats and planes - Amount of existing liability coverage you have before adding the Umbrella Policy The good news is that umbrella policies tend to be relatively inexpensive, because the severe occurrences that trigger them are uncommon. ***The upshot:*** If you don’t have an Umbrella Policy, run-don’t walk-and get one. If you do have an Umbrella Policy, make sure you’re sufficient;y covered-and boost that coverage amount if you’re not.       *ACKNOWLEDGMENT: This article was published by the BSW Inner Circle, a global financial concierge group working with affluent individuals and families and distributed with its permission. Copyright 2018 by AES Nation, LLC.* #### Tags: [Uncategorized](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/uncategorized) ![The Road to Longevity: Living to 120-and Beyond?](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/SafeHarbor/Blog_Asset/rich-house.jpg) #### [The Super Rich’s Three Big Fears-and How They Work](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/the-super-richs-three-big-fears-and-how-they-work-to-overcome-them) #### [The Road to Longevity: Living to 120-and Beyond?](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/the-road-to-longevity-living-to-120-and-beyond) ![The Road to Longevity: Living to 120-and Beyond?](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/SafeHarbor/Blog_Asset/Elderly-Active.jpg) #### Popular Posts ![Two Stories About AI. One Portfolio That Doesn't Have to Choose.](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/featured-1200x700-1.png) [Two Stories About AI. One Portfolio That Does](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/market-perspective-two-stories-about-ai-one-portfolio) ###### Jun 16, 2026 ![The “Drop & Swap” Alternative In A 1031 Exchange](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/SafeHarbor/ER-Value-Add-Portfolio-2-DST.png) [The “Drop & Swap” Alternative In A 1031 E](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/the-drop-swap-alternative-in-a-1031-exchange-do-as-you-see-fit-with-your-proceeds) ###### Aug 04, 2022 ![Smart Ways to Take Control of a Trust](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/SafeHarbor/Blog_Asset/EstatePlanningRE.jpg) [Smart Ways to Take Control of a Trust](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/smart-ways-to-take-control-of-a-trust/) ###### Jul 28, 2020 --- #### Categories - [Financial Planning (21)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/financial-planning) - [Lifestyle (21)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) - [1031 Exchanges (20)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/1031-exchanges) - [Real Estate (20)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/real-estate) - [Wealth (20)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/wealth) - [Family (19)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/family) - [Asset Protection (17)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/asset-protection) - [Investments (16)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/investments) - [Uncategorized (16)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/uncategorized) - [Professional Advisors (12)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/professional-advisors) - [Business Tips (11)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/business-tips) - [Health (9)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/health) - [Tax Planning (7)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/tax-planning) - [Estate Planning (6)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/estate-planning) - [Insurance (6)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/insurance) - [Wills and Trusts (4)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/wills-and-trusts) - [Philanthropy (3)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/philanthropy) - [DSTs (2)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/dsts) - [Psychology (2)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/psychology) - [AI (1)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/ai) - [Diversification (1)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/diversification) - [Irrevocable Trusts (1)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/irrevocable-trusts) - [Market Perspective (1)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/market-perspective) - [Portfolio Construction (1)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/portfolio-construction) - [Recognition & Awards (1)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/recognition-awards) - [Retirement Planning (1)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/retirement-planning) - [Risk Management (1)](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/risk-management) --- #### Tags [1031 Exchanges](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/1031-exchanges) [AI](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/ai) [Asset Protection](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/asset-protection) [Business Tips](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/business-tips) [Diversification](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/diversification) [DSTs](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/dsts) [Estate Planning](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/estate-planning) [Family](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/family) [Financial Planning](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/financial-planning) [Health](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/health) [Insurance](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/insurance) [Investments](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/investments) [Irrevocable Trusts](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/irrevocable-trusts) [Lifestyle](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) [Market Perspective](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/market-perspective) [Philanthropy](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/philanthropy) [Portfolio Construction](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/portfolio-construction) [Professional Advisors](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/professional-advisors) [Psychology](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/psychology) [Real Estate](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/real-estate) [Recognition & Awards](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/recognition-awards) [Retirement Planning](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/retirement-planning) [Risk Management](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/risk-management) [Tax Planning](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/tax-planning) [Uncategorized](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/uncategorized) [Wealth](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/wealth) [Wills and Trusts](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/tag/wills-and-trusts) [![footer_logo](https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/premium%20footer%20assets/footer_logo.png?width=180&height=45&name=footer_logo.png "footer_logo")](https://investsafeharbor.com/) - Phone: [(631) 421-4341](tel:(631)%20421-4341) Email: [info@investsafeharbor.com](mailto:info@investsafeharbor.com) - - - [Check out our background on Finra's BrokerCheck](https://brokercheck.finra.org/) - [Contact Us](https://investsafeharbor.com/contact/) - [Client Relationship Summary](https://t1t089.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Form-CRS-June-2020.pdf) - [Disclosures](https://investsafeharbor.com/disclosures/) - © 2022 - Safe Harbor Asset Management, Inc. - 167 E Main St, Huntington NY 11743 - (631) 421-4341 ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Adminsafeharbor", "url" : "https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/author/adminsafeharbor" }, "dateModified" : "2024-04-03T17:18:38.337Z", "datePublished" : "2020-03-12T06:10:00.000Z", "headline" : "The Importance of Personal Umbrella Policies", "image" : [ "https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/SafeHarbor/Blog_Asset/Umbrella-Policy.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/blog/the-importance-of-personal-umbrella-policies", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.investsafeharbor.com/hubfs/assets_2022/safeharborlogo-250.png" }, "name" : "Safe Harbor Asset Management, Inc" } } ```