Protecting the Epilogue
You’ve worked hard to write a success story. Don’t let a single lawsuit force a tragic ending. Umbrella insurance is the affordable safety net that protects your assets when life gets litigious.
Because “Standard Limits” Aren’t Enough
We live in a litigious world, and Florida is often ground zero. If you are involved in a serious car accident or someone gets injured on your property, standard auto and home policies usually cap out at $300,000 or $500,000.
What happens if the judgment is $1.5 million? Without an Umbrella policy, the difference comes out of your pocket. This could mean liquidating your savings, selling rental properties, or even garnishing your future wages.
At Novel Insurance, we design Umbrella policies that sit on top of your existing coverage, providing an extra layer of $1 million to $5 million (or more) in protection.
Our Coverage Menu (What it Protects)
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Standard policies often stop at the border. An Umbrella policy follows you anywhere in the world, whether you accidentally injure someone on a ski trip in the Alps or crash a rental scooter in Italy.
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Lawyers are expensive. If you are sued, your defense costs can burn through your primary insurance limits before the case even settles. Most Umbrella policies pay for your defense costs in addition to your liability limit.
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If you have a teen driver in the house, your risk exposure skyrockets. An Umbrella policy is the most cost-effective way to sleep at night knowing one mistake by an inexperienced driver won't bankrupt the family.
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In the age of social media, a bad review or a heated comment can lead to a "Personal Injury" lawsuit. Umbrella policies often cover defamation, libel, and slander claims that standard homeowners policies exclude.
How We Review Your Policy
Not all Umbrella policies are created equal. We review the fine print to ensure your safety net actually catches you:
Underlying Limits Check: To buy an Umbrella, your home and auto policies must meet specific requirements (usually 250/500k limits). We audit your current policies to ensure there are no "gaps" that would void your Umbrella coverage.
Rental Property Extension: Do you own investment properties? We ensure your Umbrella extends over all your locations, not just your primary home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or contact us anytime.
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A: Yes. You don't need to be a millionaire to be sued like one. In fact, if you don't have liquid assets to pay a judgment, the court can garnish your future wages. An Umbrella policy protects your potential earnings as much as your current savings.
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A: Surprisingly little. For most families with one home and two cars, a $1 Million Umbrella policy costs between $300 and $500 per year. It is widely considered the "best buy" in the insurance industry.
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A: A Personal Umbrella covers your personal life (home, auto, boat). If you need extra liability for your business, you need a Commercial Umbrella. We can help you set up both to ensure your personal and professional lives are firewalled.
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A: Yes, and you should. Boats and RVs carry high liability risks. We simply ensure your Boat/RV policy has the required "underlying limits" so the Umbrella can sit on top of it seamlessly.
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A: Generally, no. If your underlying home or auto policy covers the claim, the Umbrella kicks in immediately after those limits are exhausted with $0 deductible. However, if the Umbrella covers a claim that your primary policy excludes (like a libel suit), you may have to pay a "Self-Insured Retention" (SIR), which is typically a small amount like $500 or $1,000.
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A: Very quickly—often in 24 hours. However, we first need to verify that your current Home and Auto liability limits meet the "required underlying limits" (usually $250k/$500k for Auto and $300k for Home). If your current limits are too low, we will help you raise them so you qualify for the Umbrella.