Pennsylvania Umbrella Insurance

Homeowners and car owners in Pennsylvania are likely to have homeowners insurance and auto insurance. These policies will provide the coverage you need if you’re responsible for causing injuries or property damage.

But what if you're hit with that once-in-a-lifetime million-dollar lawsuit? In our increasingly lawsuit-happy society, what was once a rare possibility is now something that you must seriously consider when you're purchasing personal insurance in Pennsylvania.

Umbrella insurance can help you bridge the gap between your basic personal insurance policies and a million-dollar (or more) judgment against you. An independent insurance agent in Pennsylvania can help you find umbrella insurance that fits your needs and budget.

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

Auto insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and condominium insurance provide liability coverage. Liability insurance protects you when you or a covered family member causes property damage or physical injury to another person.

Liability insurance pays for repairing or replacing damaged property of others. It also pays for medical expenses for injured parties, and it even pays your attorney fees, court costs, and any financial settlements or judgments you have to pay if you are sued. But both your auto insurance and your home insurance have coverage limits that are specified in the policy. If you’re sued, your policy limits may not be sufficient to cover a large financial settlement.

Umbrella insurance in Pennsylvania offers excess liability coverage that kicks in when the limits of an underlying policy—including homeowners insurance, renters insurance, condominium insurance, or auto insurance—have been exhausted.

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover in Pennsylvania?

Umbrella insurance in Pennsylvania typically covers the following types of claims for any person that is covered under the primary insurance (auto, home, etc.):

• Personal injury
• Advertising injury
• Property damage liability
• Slander
• Libel
• Defamation of character
• False arrest, detention, or imprisonment
• Malicious prosecution
• Mental anguish

Umbrella policies usually provide "follow form coverage." This means that the umbrella policy typically covers what the underlying policy does. What's more, umbrella insurance may offer expanded coverage, including covering you worldwide. It might also cover a few circumstances that the underlying policy does not, such as claims for libel, slander, and false imprisonment.

Save on Umbrella Insurance

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

Request a quote

Who Needs Umbrella Insurance in Pennsylvania?

Does everyone in Pennsylvania need an umbrella policy? Certain lifestyle factors or activities you pursue can increase the likelihood of being the target of a lawsuit and increase your need for umbrella insurance. You might be more likely to be sued if you:

• Own a home
• Own a rental property
• Have a trampoline, pool, or hot tub
• Host large parties
• Have a teenage driver
• Own a dog
• Own a large home

Anyone with significant assets or an obvious “attractive nuisance” (e.g., a pool or a trampoline) should talk to their independent insurance agent about the need for umbrella insurance in Pennsylvania.

But remember, anyone can be sued for any reason, and million-dollar awards in personal injury cases are not uncommon. Consider your ability to pay such a judgment when deciding if you need umbrella insurance.

How Much Umbrella Insurance Do I Need in Pennsylvania?

Umbrella insurance is typically sold in million-dollar increments, such as $1 million, $2 million, or $5 million. Your independent insurance agent will help you decide how much additional liability coverage you need to cover your assets appropriately should you be sued.

You need to have both Pennsylvania home and auto insurance to purchase an umbrella policy in Pennsylvania. The state does not set eligibility requirements for purchasing umbrella insurance. But insurance companies will require that you have a certain level of underlying home and auto insurance to buy an umbrella policy.

Underlying coverage requirements may vary somewhat depending on the insurance company, but typically are as follows:

• Auto Insurance
  • Bodily injury liability coverage of $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident
• Homeowners insurance
  • Personal liability coverage of $300,000

Some umbrella insurance providers require you to have your auto and homeowners insurance with them before they will issue you an umbrella policy. 

Can You Deduct Umbrella Insurance on Your Taxes in Pennsylvania?

Personal umbrella insurance premiums are not usually deductible from your taxes. You may, however, be able to deduct a portion of your premiums as a business expense if you own rental properties that are covered along with other personal assets under one personal umbrella policy.

If you own a business and have a business umbrella policy that supplements your other business liability policies, your premiums may be tax-deductible.

Who Are the Best Umbrella Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania?

It can be simple to find the best umbrella insurance companies in Pennsylvania. A local independent insurance agent can help you get umbrella insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies so that you can select the best policy for your needs and budget.

Why Shop Umbrella Insurance with a Pennsylvania Independent Insurance Agent?

Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent now, and get one-on-one consultation and affordable options for the best coverage for your unique needs. Your agent will work with you free of charge, offering you a variety of options so you can make the best choice.  

What’s more, your agent will be there for you when claim time comes. They know the ins and outs of the process and will make sure your claim is handled appropriately.

Contact an agent today for a free, no-obligation consultation.