Lanco Brokerage > Commercial Umbrella

commercial umbrella

Is commercial umbrella insurance right for me?

Do you worry that your standard policies might not be enough in the event of a serious claim? If you’re a contractor, does your contract require excess liability coverage to begin your job? If your business has high risk exposure or deals with the public frequently, commercial umbrella insurance is a smart layer of added protection.

What risks Do Commercial Umbrella Insurance Policies cover?

Commercial umbrella insurance provides extra liability coverage beyond the limits of your other policies. It steps in when your general liability, auto, or employer’s liability policy reaches its limit and helps cover large lawsuits or catastrophic claims. Also referred to as excess liability insurance, clients or general contractors often require this coverage as a condition for working on certain projects.

  • Provides coverage when other policy limits are exhausted
  • Affordable way to extend liability protection
  • Can cover multiple underlying policies
  • Ideal for high-risk industries or large claims
  • Helps with legal defense and settlements
  • Also known as excess liability insurance
A contractor with commercial umbrella insurance working on a wall.

Government Resources for Commercial Umbrella Insurance

It can be challenging to figure out what coverage you need, or if you even need commercial umbrella insurance at all. Give us a call to find out which coverage is right for you. You can also check out the NY Department of Financial Services (NY DFS) for official government info on many different kinds of business insurance policies. To get to the commercial umbrella insurance section, scroll down to the Excess Liability (another name for commercial umbrella).

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FAQs

1.) Do I need a commercial umbrella policy if I already have high liability limits on my existing policies?

The need for commercial umbrella insurance depends largely on your industry and the size of your business. Even companies with relatively high underlying liability limits can benefit from the added protection of a commercial umbrella policy. Legal judgments and settlements, particularly those involving bodily injury, negligence, or wrongful death, can easily exceed $1 million - $2 million. For businesses in high-exposure industries such as construction or renovation, this level of risk is especially pronounced. Even businesses perceived as lower-risk, like supermarkets, can face substantial liability due to high customer volume. If your company operates a fleet of vehicles, maintains a physical location open to the public, has a high volume of customers/revenue, or offers professional services, commercial umbrella insurance offers essential financial protection against severe, potentially business-ending claims.

2.) Which businesses should consider commercial umbrella coverage?

Commercial umbrella insurance is recommended for any business that could face large lawsuits. Examples include contractors and construction companies, large restaurants and hospitality businesses, retailers with heavy foot traffic, medical offices or clinics (in addition to professional liability insurance), businesses with vehicle fleets or delivery services, warehouses and logistics firms. If a claim or 2 could nearly bankrupt your business, commercial umbrella coverage is a smart risk management move.

3.) What policies does commercial umbrella insurance sit on top of?

Typical underlying policies include general liability, commercial auto, employer’s liability (part B of workers' compensation), and hired/non-owned auto liability. It's essential to ensure your primary policies meet the minimum underlying limit requirements set by the umbrella carrier, or your umbrella policy won’t activate.

4.) Is commercial umbrella insurance required by law?

No, it is not legally required in New York or New Jersey. However, many landlords, clients, and contracts require it contractually. This is especially the case for construction jobs, commercial leases, or municipal contracts. Even when it’s not required, it’s often advisable because the cost of high-severity claims can destroy a business without excess coverage.

5.) How much commercial umbrella coverage do I need?

This depends on multiple factors for your business such as industry risk profile, revenue and asset base, claims history and contractual obligations. Most businesses start with $1 million in umbrella coverage, but insurers can write policies for $2 million, $5 million, or more. High-risk industries may require even higher limits to meet contract requirements or satisfy stakeholders. Give us a call today to figure out which coverage is right for you!

6.) Can commercial umbrella insurance extend across multiple business entities?

It’s possible, but only if those entities are named insureds and your policy lists them properly. Some insurers allow umbrella coverage to span multiple entities under a shared ownership structure, while others may require separate policies. It’s critical to coordinate this with your broker to avoid coverage gaps.

7.) Is commercial umbrella insurance tax-deductible?

The IRS considers commercial umbrella insurance premiums a business expense that qualifies as tax-deductible. However, you should consult with your accountant or tax professional for specifics as we are an insurance agency, not tax professionals.
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