Umbrella Coverage Explained

What is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance protects you, your family and your assets in the event that you are held personally liable for a claim. The GEICO Personal Umbrella Policy protects you from major claims and lawsuits in two ways:

  1. Provides additional liability coverage above the limits of your homeowners, auto, and boat insurance policies.
  2. Provides coverage for claims that may be excluded by other liability policies including: false arrest, libel, slander, and liability coverage on rental units you own.

In an event of a loss, you would first exhaust your home, auto, or boat liability coverage, and then the umbrella policy would begin providing coverage. For a relatively modest cost, the GEICO Personal Umbrella Policy provides the extra layer of liability protection that is so vital to protecting your assets and lifestyle.

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

Bodily Injury Liability – covers the cost of damages to another person's body. Examples include the cost of medical bills and/or liability claims as a result of:

  • injuries to other parties due to a serious auto accident where you are at fault,
  • harm caused to others as a result of your dog,
  • injuries sustained by a guest in your home due to a fall, or
  • injuries sustained by a neighbor's child who falls while playing in your yard.

Property Damage Liability – covers the cost of damage or loss to another person's tangible property. Examples include the cost associated with:

  • damage to vehicles and other property as a result of an auto accident where you are at fault,
  • damage claims incurred when your pet rips a friend's priceless oriental rug to shreds, or
  • damages to school property accidentally caused by your child.

Owners of Rental Units – protects against liability that you may face as a landlord. Examples include the cost of liability claims as a result of:

  • someone tripping over a crack in the sidewalk of your rental property and suing you for damages, or
  • your tenant's dog biting someone and you being held responsible for the injuries.

Coverage is also provided should you be sued for:

  • slander – injurious spoken statement
  • libel – injurious written statement
  • false arrest, detention, or imprisonment
  • malicious prosecution
  • shock/mental anguish, and
  • other personal liability situations.

Do You Qualify for an Umbrella Policy?

To be eligible for umbrella insurance, you must have liability insurance – homeowners, auto, and boat insurance (if applicable) – that is at least equal to certain required limits of coverage.

Call a GEICO Insurance Professional at 1-800-841-4915 to see if a Personal Umbrella Policy is right for you.

Please note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.

GEICO requires a minimum bodily injury limit of $300,000/$300,000 and a property damage limit of $100,000 on your auto policy to qualify for an umbrella policy. Homeowners/Renters Personal Liability coverage of $300,000 is also required. Contact us to receive a quote for increased auto insurance limits. GEICO Personal Umbrella Insurance is underwritten by Government Employees Insurance Company.

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