Umbrella Insurance in Ocala, FL

A personal umbrella policy adds liability protection above the limits of your auto, home, renters or other underlying policies. The NAIC explains that it can pay liability and legal defense costs that go beyond what your primary policy pays, and may cover some liability claims your primary policy doesn't. Covered situations generally include bodily injury, property damage and personal injury claims you're held responsible for, subject to the policy's terms.

An umbrella policy is liability coverage, so it doesn't pay to repair your own home or vehicle. The NAIC gives the example that an umbrella wouldn't cover hail damage to your car if your auto policy doesn't. Exclusions vary by policy, so we go through them with you.

Yes. Umbrella policies sit on top of underlying policies, such as auto, home, watercraft or off-road vehicle coverage, which are listed on the umbrella's declarations page. Massachusetts' insurance regulator explains that if you don't keep the underlying coverage in place, the umbrella may treat those underlying limits like a deductible you pay first. We'll review your current limits before we talk about an umbrella.

There's no rule about who needs one. Regulators point to situations that raise liability exposure, such as owning rental property, having a pool, having inexperienced drivers in the home or taking guests out on a boat. If any of those sound like your household, it's worth a conversation.

It depends on what you own and what you want to protect. Umbrella limits are commonly sold in million-dollar increments. We'll look at your assets, your underlying limits and your household with you, then walk through options.

Not automatically. Under section 627.727(2), Florida Statutes, the requirement to include uninsured motorist coverage doesn't apply to a policy that doesn't provide primary motor vehicle liability insurance, such as an umbrella or excess policy. However, the insurer must make uninsured motorist limits available as part of the application, at the insured's written request, up to the policy's bodily injury liability limits or $1 million, whichever is less. Ask us about it when you apply.

No. Raising the limits on one policy only helps with claims under that policy. An umbrella adds a layer above several underlying policies at once and can include some broader liability coverage. Often the right answer combines both, and we'll compare them with you.

We focus on Ocala, Marion County and nearby towns, including The Villages, Belleview, Dunnellon, Summerfield and Lady Lake. Eligibility depends on your property (or vehicle) and the carrier. We'll review your options with you.