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Excess Casualty
Additional layers of protection for business of all sizes

Commercial Umbrella and Excess Liability Insurance

  • Overview
  • Small Business
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Commercial umbrella insurance covers large unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business, brand reputation and financial stability. While standard liability policies can help protect a company from a broad range of situations, there are certain times when losses may exceed what primary insurance can fully cover. From damaging multi-million dollar lawsuits, to auto accidents, to product liability claims: protecting your company means preparing and planning for the worst case scenario. Travelers' commercial umbrella and excess liability solutions provide you with the extra security and peace of mind so that your business is properly protected in the event of catastrophe.

A commercial umbrella liability policy supplements your existing policy’s general liability, auto liability and employer’s liability limits. The benefits of a Travelers commercial umbrella policy are increased limits in excess of standard primary policies, replacement of primary policies if limits are used up by covered losses and broader coverage than primary policies for certain losses. Our commercial umbrella and excess liability solutions include:

  • A/B Umbrella
  • Excess Liability
  • Excess and Surplus Lines: Northfield

Who Is Commercial Umbrella Coverage Right For?

Travelers offers commercial umbrella and excess insurance coverage across all industries. Find a policy type that’s right for you.

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Umbrella Liability Insurance Cost

There are many varying factors that contribute to the cost of commercial umbrella liability insurance, including the size of your business, the amount of risk associated with your industry and the number of policies that you want covered. The amount of coverage that you want will also influence the cost. Commercial umbrella insurance typically increases coverage in $1 million increments. Therefore, a $1 million increase in coverage will cost less than a $4 million increase in coverage. A commercial umbrella policy can be less expensive than increasing the limits on your other policies.

Commercial Umbrella Policy Coverage

Commercial umbrella insurance is designed to provide extra liability coverage above and beyond the protection offered in your general liability insurance, employer’s liability insurance and commercial auto liability insurance policies. If your underlying coverage reaches its limits due to multiple claims or a large settlement during the year, your commercial umbrella policy coverage bridges the gap to cover any additional liability. Without commercial umbrella coverage, you would have to pay out of pocket when your underlying insurance policy limits are exhausted. Commercial umbrella insurance coverage is a smart way to reduce the risk of the damage that large legal judgments or multiple insurance claims could cause to your company. 

Small Business Commercial Umbrella Insurance

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SPEAKER 1: What is umbrella insurance?

Take a moment to think about the catastrophic impact a large lawsuit could have on your business. There's no way to predict what you might be required to pay in damages and just one lawsuit can put your business assets at risk. Umbrella insurance provides an additional layer of financial protection over and above the coverage limits of your other liability policies.

Say one of your employees uses copyrighted music in an ad for your business without securing licensing rights. The owner of the copyright sues, and the judgment is against your business for 1.5 million dollars in damages. If your liability insurance has a limit of 1 million dollars you would be responsible for the balance. A commercial umbrella policy is designed to bridge the gap and cover the costs of the loss up to the umbrell apolicies limit, and an umbrella policy isvery affordable. It's a small investment that can help protect your assets and keep your business in business.

To get started with commercial umbrella coverage and other business insurance solutions, contact a traveller's independent agent or visit Travelers.com.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Umbrella insurance is liability coverage beyond the limits of your other liability policies. Businesses may have a higher liability risk because they offer products or services to customers – so protecting you and your business is essential to keeping things running smoothly in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. In addition to the standard insurance coverages by business owners, like property insurance, workers compensation, auto insurance and more, umbrella insurance can offer extra protection above and beyond the limits of these standard policies to keep your assets safe.

Umbrella insurance is recommended for business owners because businesses face risks of being sued, whether by customers, other businesses or even employees. Generally, anyone who owns property, has significant assets or engages in any type of behavior that generates risk (such as running a business) should strongly consider umbrella insurance. Just one hefty lawsuit can impact your current assets and your future earning potential. If you’re sued for a significant amount of money and found liable, and you don’t have enough liability insurance coverage to cover the cost, you may be responsible for the amount not covered by your liability policy.

You can usually purchase an umbrella policy from the same insurance company that your other business policies were purchased through. Insurance companies often require you to hold your primary insurance coverage with them in order to add an umbrella insurance policy. You should also expect to maintain certain limits of liability for your primary liability coverage in order to add the extra coverage provided with an umbrella policy.

The cost is largely determined by the policy limit you select and the specific risks facing your type of business. Coverage levels typically start at $1 million and can go well beyond, depending on your needs.

Deciding how much extra liability coverage you need will depend on several factors, and an experienced independent insurance agent can help you decide what you need.

  • How risky is your business? A business that mass-produces a product, engages in advice or consultation, has a hazardous work environment for employees or frequently operates motor vehicles is likely at a higher risk of being sued. These types of activities provide good reasons for purchasing an umbrella policy.
  • What is the value of your business assets? Take a look at what your business owns – including real property, equipment, furniture and other possessions. Generally, the higher the value of those assets, the higher the umbrella policy limits your business will need in order to protect your finances. You should at least have enough insurance to replace your company’s total assets.
  • How would loss of future income impact you? It’s important to consider that a significant lawsuit could cost you more than your current assets. It could threaten your potential future income, too. Factor this in when deciding how much coverage you need on your umbrella policy.

While an umbrella insurance policy can protect you in case a liability claim exceeds your primary policies coverage, it does not exempt you from all legal risk. Umbrella policies generally cover liability that stems from business activities and business property that are covered by your primary policies. Things like uninsured motorists, flood damage and certain instances of property damage may not be covered, so it’s important to discuss what is and isn’t covered with your insurance agent when deciding on an umbrella policy coverage.

Many businesses cannot get the insurance coverage they require in the standard lines marketplace for reasons like multiple claims, a lack of history or unique classification. With more than 40 years of experience, Northfield is able to provide a wide range of coverage for hard-to-place risks so companies can continue to grow with the confidence that they’re properly protected.

Even small businesses can have big liability exposures, which is why Travelers A/B Umbrella is available as part of our wide range of small business solutions to help you grow and stay protected.

In the event you may require an extra layer of protection beyond what primary insurance may cover, Travelers offers excess liability to safeguard your business from potential calamity.

Insights & Expertise

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4 Factors Causing Social Inflation

Claim values in general liability cases are increasing, and social inflation is a major factor contributing to the rise.

Top 100 Verdicts of 2021

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Travelers helps protect against big, unexpected and potentially devastating events like the ones listed in The National Law Journal's Top 100 Verdicts.

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Trial by Fire: 5 Lessons About Surviving a Products Liability Lawsuit

Learn how one electronics manufacturing company fought back against a multimillion dollar products liability lawsuit.

Counterfeit Parts

How to Identify Counterfeit Parts

Counterfeit parts can be costly and dangerous. Help protect your supply chain by watching out for these signs.

Excess/Catastrophic Liability Risk List

Catastrophic Liability Risk List

Learn about 6 trending facts contributing to today's catastrophic liability risks.

Typical Liability Limits Purchased

Typical Liability Limits Purchased

Learning where your business falls on the limits scale can help you determine the level of liability coverage you may need.

Umbrella for Small Business

Travelers offers small business solutions to help you protect and grow your business.


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The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183
This material does not amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy or bond issued by Travelers. It is not a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy or bond. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy or bond provisions, and any applicable law. Availability of coverage referenced in this document can depend on underwriting qualifications and state regulations.
All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries.

Northfield: Nothing stated herein affects the terms, conditions and coverages of any insurance policy issued by Northfield or its affiliates, nor does it imply that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or type of claim under any such policy. The information in this document is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation. The information is for surplus lines licensees only. Advertising of surplus lines products may be restricted by state law; surplus lines licensees are responsible for compliance with all such laws.