Commercial Umbrellas Protect Against Raining Litigation
Commercial Insurance, Umbrella Insurance, What’s New
As a business owner, you have already purchased insurance to protect your liability, property, autos and workers. Throughout this year, the agents at Kasmann Insurance have stressed the importance of certain commercial coverages that we receive a lot of questions about, or feel are often overlooked. Commercial Umbrella insurance is one of those products that is not required for businesses, but should definitely be considered. It provides an extra layer of liability coverage above and beyond the underlying liability limits of the general liability, auto, and employment practices liability policies and it will protect your business in the event of a lawsuit. The agents at Kasmann Insurance did not invent lawsuits or rainy days, but we know how to sell you the best Commercial Umbrella!
What Are They?
We live in a very litigious society where lawsuits are commonplace and the monetary awards can be astonishing. Commercial Umbrella policies are offered at limits beginning at $1 million, and can be written rather effortlessly up to $5 million (higher limits are available subject to underwriting approval). Coverage is designed to “kick-in” when the underlying general liability, auto, or employment practices liability limits have been exhausted due to a claim. The policy can also help with your legal defense costs, possibly appeals, and will protect your business assets against a large financial judgment.
Depending on the specific language they incorporate into their Commercial Umbrella policy, most companies will even protect a business owner from suits brought against them for things like libel, slander, false arrest, mental anguish, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment or wrongful eviction.
You will find that most Commercial Umbrella policies exclude certain situations. The most common exclusions are: liquor liability, worker’s compensation, employers liability and employment related practices, pollution, aircraft, watercraft, or racing, product recalls, and electronic data. One of many reasons that Auto-Owners Insurance is our preferred carrier, is that they do not explicitly exclude liquor liability under their Commercial Umbrella policy. Click here for more information about Auto-Owners specific coverages.
Why Do I Need One?
Your company needs a Commercial Umbrella policy to ensure that it will not only be around tomorrow, but through the coming years. Anyone who operates a business is vulnerable to legal action and significant lawsuit settlements arising from the condition of your location, employee auto accidents, or the negligence of your employees. Certain types of Commercial Umbrella policies will even protect business owners for claims excluded on their underlying liability policies. This protection is not just for large corporations; it has been designed to be comprehensive and affordable for the smaller business owner, as well.
Examples of Covered Commercial Umbrella Claims:
A landlord failed to install carbon monoxide detectors in his rental dwellings with natural gas heating. A furnace malfunctioned resulting in one fatality and three injuries among the tenants.
To avoid hitting a truck and trailered boat pulling out onto the highway, the insured truck veered left, crossed the median, and crashed head-on into a Ford Escort killing the mom and dad in the front seat and injuring the children in the back seat.
An insured was refinishing the floor in a home. When the insured flipped a light switch, a spark caused the vapors from the stripping chemicals to ignite and the house was engulfed in flames, catching an occupant on fire.
Insure With the People You Trust
The Kasmann Insurance Agency is contracted with several different carriers who offer Commercial Umbrella polices. We are happy to assist you in determining an appropriate level of coverage to protect your assets and we can get a plan in place for you today. Commercial umbrella quotes are relatively quick and easy, and can range anywhere from an average of $500-$1500 annually for million(s) of dollars in coverage. Don’t get caught in a litigation downpour! Contact us to help you select the right umbrella for your business’s needs.
