Commercial umbrella insurance is a type of liability insurance that supplements your existing general liability and business auto policies. It provides additional coverage above and beyond the limits of those policies, helping to protect your business in case of a catastrophic lawsuit or settlement.
Commercial umbrella policies typically cover the following:
1. **Increased Liability Limits:** One of the main things that a commercial umbrella policy covers is increased liability limits. If your business faces a large lawsuit that exceeds the limits of your general liability or business auto policy, the umbrella policy will kick in to cover the remainder.
2. **Legal Fees:** Commercial umbrella policies can also cover legal fees and expenses associated with defending your business in court. This can help alleviate the financial burden of hiring lawyers and paying for court costs.
3. **Advertising Injury:** If your business is sued for libel, slander, copyright infringement, or other similar claims related to advertising, a commercial umbrella policy can provide coverage.
4. **Property Damage:** In the event that your business is found liable for causing damage to someone else’s property, a commercial umbrella policy can help cover the costs of repairs or replacements.
5. **Bodily Injury:** If someone is injured on your business premises or as a result of your business activities, a commercial umbrella policy can provide coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.
6. **Contractual Liability:** Some commercial umbrella policies offer coverage for liability assumed under a contract, such as a lease agreement or a vendor agreement.
7. **Personal Injury:** This coverage can extend to claims of invasion of privacy, wrongful eviction, false arrest, and other personal injury claims.
8. **Worldwide Coverage:** Commercial umbrella policies often provide coverage for incidents that occur outside of the United States, giving your business added protection in the global marketplace.
9. **Non-owned Auto Liability:** If your business employees use their personal vehicles for work-related tasks and are involved in an accident, a commercial umbrella policy can help cover any liability that exceeds their personal auto insurance limits.
10. **Excess Employer’s Liability:** In cases where your business’s workers’ compensation insurance does not provide enough coverage for an injured employee’s claim, a commercial umbrella policy can fill in the gaps.
11. **Product Liability:** If your business manufactures or sells products that cause harm to consumers, a commercial umbrella policy can provide coverage for product liability claims.
12. **Unforeseen Situations:** Commercial umbrella policies are designed to provide coverage for unexpected and catastrophic events that could threaten the financial stability of your business.
FAQs:
1. Does a commercial umbrella policy cover professional liability?
No, a commercial umbrella policy does not typically cover professional liability. You would need a separate professional liability insurance policy for that type of coverage.
2. Can a commercial umbrella policy cover cyber liability?
Some commercial umbrella policies may offer optional coverage for cyber liability, but it is not typically included in a standard policy. You may need to purchase a standalone cyber liability insurance policy for comprehensive coverage.
3. Will a commercial umbrella policy cover punitive damages?
Typically, a commercial umbrella policy will not cover punitive damages, as these are considered to be outside the scope of standard liability coverage.
4. Does a commercial umbrella policy cover employment practices liability?
Some commercial umbrella policies may offer limited coverage for employment practices liability, but it is not a standard inclusion. You may need to purchase a separate employment practices liability insurance policy for comprehensive coverage in this area.
5. Can a commercial umbrella policy cover pollution liability?
Most commercial umbrella policies do not cover pollution liability. You would need to purchase a standalone pollution liability insurance policy for coverage in this area.
6. Will a commercial umbrella policy cover professional errors and omissions?
No, a commercial umbrella policy does not typically cover professional errors and omissions. You would need a separate errors and omissions insurance policy for that type of coverage.
7. Does a commercial umbrella policy cover damage to your own property?
No, a commercial umbrella policy is designed to cover liability claims against your business, not damage to your own property. You would need property insurance to cover damage to your own property.
8. Can a commercial umbrella policy cover intellectual property infringement?
Some commercial umbrella policies may offer coverage for intellectual property infringement, but it is not typically included in a standard policy. You may need to purchase a standalone intellectual property insurance policy for comprehensive coverage in this area.
9. Will a commercial umbrella policy cover employee dishonesty?
No, a commercial umbrella policy does not typically cover losses due to employee dishonesty. You would need to purchase a separate crime insurance policy for coverage in this area.
10. Does a commercial umbrella policy cover commercial auto liability?
Yes, a commercial umbrella policy can provide additional coverage for commercial auto liability in excess of your business auto policy limits.
11. Can a commercial umbrella policy cover liquor liability?
Some commercial umbrella policies may offer coverage for liquor liability, but it is not typically included in a standard policy. You may need to purchase a standalone liquor liability insurance policy for coverage in this area.
12. Will a commercial umbrella policy cover contractual liability?
Some commercial umbrella policies offer coverage for liability assumed under a contract, but it is not a standard inclusion. You may need to purchase a separate contractual liability insurance policy for enhanced coverage in this area.