Personal Umbrella Insurance
Personal umbrella insurance through Freedom Insurance Services is available in all 50 states. Freedom is based in California and serves clients nationwide. Commercial lines are also available in all 50 states.
A personal umbrella policy adds liability limits above the liability coverage on your home (or renters) and auto policies. It is meant for large liability claims — injury to someone else, damage to someone else’s property, and related legal defense costs — after the underlying policy limits are used up, subject to the umbrella policy’s terms.
It does not pay to repair your own house or car. Those claims stay with your home and auto policies.
Who needs it
Umbrella coverage is worth discussing if any of these apply:
- You own a home with meaningful equity, or you have savings and investments you want to protect from a large judgment
- You have teen or young drivers in the household
- You host guests often, or you have higher-liability features at home (pool, trampoline, certain dogs — carrier rules vary)
- You rent out property or have other personal liability exposures beyond a basic home/auto package
- Your current auto and home liability limits feel low relative to what a serious claim could cost
You do not have to be wealthy to ask about an umbrella. The right question is whether a claim above your current liability limits would hurt.
What it does on top of home and auto
Think of three layers:
- Auto liability — responds first to a covered auto accident you cause
- Home / renters liability — responds first to a covered liability claim at your residence or under that policy
- Personal umbrella — may respond after those underlying limits are exhausted, up to the umbrella limit, if the claim is covered
Carriers usually require you to carry minimum liability limits on the underlying home and auto policies before they will issue an umbrella. Those minimums vary by carrier. If your current limits are below what the umbrella carrier requires, we may need to raise them first.
Some umbrellas may also address certain personal injury claims (for example libel or slander) that a basic home policy handles narrowly or not at all — wording varies.
What affects the cost
Umbrella premiums depend on underwriting. Common factors include:
- Umbrella limit you choose
- Number of vehicles, drivers, and properties to schedule
- Driving records and claims history
- Underlying home and auto limits and carriers
- Household risk features (young drivers, rentals, animals, pools — carrier-specific)
- Where you live
We do not publish prices here. Ask for a quote based on your household.
How to get a personal umbrella quote with Freedom
- Gather your current home (or renters) and auto declarations pages, including liability limits and driver/vehicle lists.
- Note any rental properties, recreational vehicles, watercraft, or household employees the carrier may ask about.
- Request a quote through the form on our Free Quote page, or call / contact us via Contact.
- An agent reviews your underlying policies and matches umbrella options from available carriers.
- You review limits, exclusions, and premium before deciding. Binding is not automatic.
FAQs
Is umbrella insurance only for wealthy people?
No. It is liability coverage above your home and auto limits. Anyone with assets, income, or higher household risk may want to compare options.
Does an umbrella cover damage to my own car or house?
No. It is liability coverage for claims others bring against you (and related defense costs under the policy), not first-party property damage to your own stuff.
Do I need higher home and auto limits first?
Usually yes. Umbrella carriers set minimum underlying liability limits. We will tell you what a given carrier requires for your quote.
Is this available outside California?
Yes. Personal umbrella is available in all 50 states. California is a primary focus market, and clients in other states are welcome to request a quote.
How much umbrella coverage should I buy?
There is no single right number. People often start by looking at assets, future income, and household risk, then choose a limit with an agent. We will not invent a recommended dollar amount on this page.
Request a quote
Looking for personal umbrella options? Request a quote on our Free Quote page or reach us through Contact.
CA License #0H23461
Related: Personal & Business Insurance · Home Insurance · Auto Insurance · Free Quote