Plugging Leaks in Your Risk Protection Plan

If you’re on a fixed income, chances are you wouldn’t have the time or resources to recover from a personal injury lawsuit of $1 million or more. Yet studies show that juries have become increasingly sympathetic to plaintiffs in personal injury cases, making the chances of facing such a lawsuit all the more real.¹ Umbrella liability insurance can help safeguard your savings from the growing trend of personal injury claims.

Personal injury lawsuits often result from incidents that are beyond your control. For example, you could be involved in a car accident, a house guest might slip on your property, or a falling tree from your yard could damage a neighbor’s home. Having a swimming pool, owning a dog, or possessing substantial wealth may also increase your chances of becoming the victim of a personal injury claim.

Most homeowners and auto insurance policies max out at about $300,000 in coverage. But umbrella liability insurance picks up where those policies leave off, providing an extra layer of protection. Usually sold in increments of $1 million, umbrella liability insurance can be fairly inexpensive. However, you may be required to boost the liability limits on your home and auto insurance policies because they act as a deductible for the umbrella policy.

In addition to physical injuries, umbrella liability insurance can also cover claims that are generally excluded from standard homeowners insurance, such as libel, slander, invasion of privacy, and defamation of character. Liability insurance may also help pay legal fees, which can be substantial whether or not you win the case.

At this time in your life, protecting your hard-earned assets may be your most pressing financial concern. Umbrella liability insurance can help safeguard your net worth in the event of an unfavorable personal injury judgment.

1) Jury Verdict Research, May 2, 2002

© 2002 Emerald Publications

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