Risk & Business Magazine JGS Insurance Winter 2019 | Page 31

UMBRELLA POLICY PROTECT AGAINST RISKS WITH AN UMBRELLA POLICY I n the event that someone is injured on your property and you are found legally responsible, you could be faced with a costly financial burden. In fact, without a personal umbrella liability insurance policy, any expenses beyond the limits of your standard policy are your responsibility. This applies to your homeowners, renters, automobile and watercraft insurance policies. Personal umbrella liability insurance provides an extra layer of protection over your personal assets for when your standard liability coverage is exhausted. ENGAGING IN EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES CAN PUT YOU AT RISK FOR A LAWSUIT. Simple things like having a swimming pool or entertaining guests in your home can increase the chance that someone will get injured and sue you. To minimize your risk, consider a personal umbrella liability policy. WHY IS A PERSONAL UMBRELLA LIABILITY POLICY IMPORTANT? It works to fill the gaps in your coverage and provides the following benefits: • When litigation ensues, it’s typically for a large amount. If you get into a car accident and injure several people, you could be sued for millions of dollars, well beyond the limits of your automobile policy. You can also be held responsible if your dog bites someone, if your child injures another kid in a fight at school or if a handyman hurts himself at your home. • Umbrella policies cover legal fees because the insurance company assumes the risk, not you. • Coverage is inexpensive and easy to obtain. Just give us a call to add it on to your current policy. • You’ll have peace of mind knowing that you are covered in case of a fluke occurrence. HOW MUCH COVERAGE DO YOU NEED? Take into consideration your total personal assets and your potential for personal risks when determining how much coverage you need. A wide range of factors, such as whether you have hired help, if you have teen drivers at home or if you operate your business out of your home, will determine how much coverage is appropriate for your circumstances. WHAT ARE THE POLICY LIMITS? A $1 million limit is typical and higher limits are available. Contact us today to determine how much coverage is right for you. + BY: CHASE HELWIG, CLCS ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT JGS INSURANCE Having spent seven years working in the home improvement field, it was only natural for Chase Helwig to focus his insurance expertise on the construction industry. Firsthand knowledge of workplace occurrences and operations allow Chase to provide in depth analysis to identify exposures, while providing unique comprehensive solutions suitable for each individual’s needs. 31