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BenefitExcel

Independent Insurance Agency · Corpus Christi, TX · Serving Nationwide Since 1997 Call (361) 808-4988
Umbrella Insurance

One lawsuit could cost you everything you've built.

An umbrella policy adds an extra layer of liability protection  on top of your home and auto coverage for a few hundred dollars a year. BenefitExcel helps you get the right amount for your specific situation.

$1M+

Starting Coverage

$200

Per Year Average

1997

Serving Texas
What Is Umbrella Insurance

A safety net above everything else you own.

Your home and auto policies each include liability coverage but those limits can run out fast in a serious accident. An umbrella policy kicks in when your existing coverage is exhausted, protecting your savings, investments, and future income.

It is one of the most cost-effective forms of insurance available and one of the most overlooked. A $1 million umbrella policy typically costs about $200 per year for $1M of coverage (roughly $17 a month).

Real example: A serious car accident results in $650,000 in medical bills. Your auto liability limit is $300,000. Without an umbrella, you are personally responsible for the remaining $350,000 including your savings, your home, and your retirement.

3

Umbrella Policy

$1M to $5M+ additional liability protection

Kicks in last

2

Auto Insurance

Liability limit: typically $100K to $300K

Exhausted first

1

Home Insurance

Liability limit: typically $100K to $300K

Exhausted first

When a claim exceeds your home or auto limit the umbrella takes over.
What Umbrella Insurance Covers

Protection that goes where your other policies stop.

Umbrella coverage extends your liability protection across many situations some of which your home and auto policies do not cover at all.

Serious Auto Accidents

If you cause a major accident with significant injuries or fatalities, medical bills and lawsuit judgments can easily exceed your auto policy limits. The umbrella picks up the rest.

Injuries on Your Property

A guest injured at your pool, on your trampoline, or by your dog can lead to a lawsuit far exceeding your homeowners liability limit. Umbrella coverage fills that gap.

Libel and Slander Claims

Umbrella policies often cover personal liability claims like libel, slander, defamation, and false arrest. That is coverage your home and auto policies typically exclude.

Landlord Liability

If you rent out a property, you face additional liability exposure. An umbrella policy extends your landlord liability protection beyond what a standard rental policy provides.

Worldwide Coverage

Most umbrella policies provide liability coverage worldwide protecting you from lawsuits that arise while traveling abroad, not just within the United States.

Legal Defense Costs

An umbrella policy covers legal defense fees even if a lawsuit is ultimately decided in your favor. Legal costs alone can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars in a serious case.
Real-World Scenarios

When umbrella coverage saves everything.

These are the situations where a $300,000 liability limit  the standard on most home and auto policies  is simply not enough.

01

The Multi-Car Accident

You run a red light and hit two vehicles. Three people are seriously injured. Medical bills total $820,000. Your auto policy pays $300,000. You are personally liable for the remaining $520,000.

Umbrella covers the $520,000 gap ✓

02

The Pool Accident

A neighbor’s child is seriously injured at your pool. The family sues for $600,000 in damages. Your homeowners liability limit is $300,000. You owe the rest personally.
Umbrella covers the $300,000 gap ✓

03

The Dog Bite

Your dog bites a delivery driver, causing serious injury requiring surgery and months of recovery. The driver sues for $450,000. Your homeowners policy has a $100,000 dog bite limit.
Umbrella covers the $350,000 gap ✓

04

The Teen Driver

Your 17-year-old causes a serious accident while driving. The other driver is permanently disabled and sues for $1.2 million. Your auto liability limit is $300,000.
Umbrella covers the $900,000 gap ✓
How Much Coverage You Need

Start with your net worth. Work up from there.

A general rule is to carry enough umbrella coverage to protect your total net worth including savings, investments, real estate, and future income. We help you calculate the right number.
Situation
Recommended
Est. Annual Cost
Homeowner, 1 car
$1M

$200

Family, 2+ cars
$1M to $2M
~$200 to $280
Teen driver at home
$2M to $3M
~$280 to $380
Rental property owner
$2M to $3M
~$300 to $400
High net worth ($1M+)
$3M to $5M
~$380 to $550

You must own a home

Most insurers require a homeowners policy in force at standard limits to add umbrella coverage.

You must own a vehicle

An underlying auto policy at minimum required limits is typically required before an umbrella policy can be added.

Teen drivers increase your risk

If you have a teen driver in your household, your liability exposure is significantly higher. We strongly recommend increasing limits.

Pools, trampolines, and dogs

These increase your liability risk substantially. We help you get the right coverage for your specific property.

Rental properties require more

Each rental property adds additional liability exposure. A higher umbrella limit is strongly recommended for landlords.
Common Questions

Umbrella insurance questions answered plainly.

Most people have never bought umbrella insurance before. Here are the questions we hear most often  answered directly and without jargon.

Likely yes. Standard home and renters policies exclude flood, and much of the Coastal Bend floods even outside mapped high-risk zones. We’ll tell you straight whether you need it.

Yes. Bundling often lowers your total premium, and because we’re independent we can bundle across whichever carriers price you best.

No. Switching to us doesn’t change your rate by itself. We shop multiple carriers to find you a better one, and there’s no fee to compare.

Enough to rebuild your home, replace your belongings, and protect your assets from a lawsuit. We’ll walk through it with you in plain English.

You call us first. We help you through the process and advocate for you with the carrier.

Free · No Obligation · Real Advisor

Protect everything you've worked for about $200 per year for $1M of coverage (roughly $17 a month)

A real BenefitExcel advisor will review your existing coverage, calculate your liability exposure, and find you the right umbrella policy at the best available price.
Not sure you are paying the right price? Find out in 15 minutes.Call (361) 808-4988Book my 15-min review