Personal Umbrella Insurance in New Hampshire

Accidents happen every day and can lead to lawsuits with expensive defense costs. Many New Hampshire residents have some liability protection through their homeowner's or car insurance, but an accident can exceed policy limits. This is why insurance and financial planners recommend personal umbrella insurance for extra protection.umbrella insurance

What is a personal umbrella Insurance?

A personal umbrella policy, also known as excess liability insurance, provides additional liability coverage over other personal policies, such as home, personal auto, boat, or RV. 

Though you may think that the coverage provided by your primary policies is enough, it may not be, considering liability often provides coverage for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of income to parties in which you are found legally responsible for injuring in a covered claim.

Who in New Hampshire should consider personal umbrella insurance?

If you have assets exceeding your coverage limit, you risk paying the difference between your coverage and settlement amount, plus legal defense. Ouch! Personal umbrella insurance can fill this gap.

Of course, anyone can be sued, but the examples below illustrate how different people might benefit from having personal umbrella coverage:

  • Anyone with assets greater than underlying policy limits, including the equity in their home, regular income, retirement, and other assets
  • Landlords as tenants or guests of a tenant can sue them due to conditions at the rental property
  • Dog owners because NH has a strict liability that holds owners 100% legally liable for the actions of their dog(s)
  • Families with new drivers or young children in the household 
  • Boatowners could be held financially responsible for accidents occurring on the water
  • Anyone who owns and tows a camper/RV, as a minor car accident can cause significant damage

These claims can be expensive to defend against, let alone settle if there is insufficient coverage. Umbrella insurance can help cover such personal lawsuits.

An agent specializing in umbrella insurance can give other examples of when a personal umbrella policy might provide supplemental protection. They can then discuss the insurance with residents to determine whether purchasing a policy makes sense.NH Umbrella Insurance

How much does it cost for a personal umbrella in NH?

Typically, umbrella policies can extend your liability limit to $1 million, but you can purchase more depending on your assets and risk. Your umbrella will only take effect once your other policy's limits have been exhausted, so your premium costs are often relatively low. Though rates vary by company, a typical $1 million umbrella for someone with two drivers, two cars, and a home would be approximately $250. But, again, call your insurance professional for a more precise quote.

Do personal umbrella policies provide property coverage?

Umbrella insurance limits its coverage to liability risks, where a policyholder could be sued for causing injury or property damage to another party. These policies don't offer coverage for a policyholder's physical property.

What are primary insurance policies?

Primary insurance policies generally are the first line of defense against covered claims. Umbrella insurance usually builds upon these policies' protections. Primary policies are sometimes called "underlying policies" because they offer coverage that underlies umbrella policies.  An example of a primary policy would be a personal auto policy, a homeowner policy, etc.

What are the underlying coverage requirements for NH Umbrella Insurance?

Many personal umbrella policies have underlying coverage requirements that primary insurance policies must meet. These underlying requirements ensure minimum coverage is available before the umbrella policy pays on a claim.

A typical umbrella carrier requirement is at least $250,000 per person for bodily injury/$500,000 per accident for bodily injury, $100,000 in property damage on the underlying auto policy, and at least $500,000 liability limit on the homeowner's policy.

A knowledgeable insurance agent can check an umbrella policy's underlying coverage requirements and ensure suitable primary insurance policies meet them.

Can anyone get a NH umbrella policy?

Not everyone can get umbrella insurance due to the potential of a large payout in an umbrella claim.  Insurance companies look closely at loss history, driving records, professions, and other factors when determining eligibility.  If a particular company declines one's umbrella coverage, you may be eligible for another.  Therefore, working with a knowledgeable agent, such as HPM Insurance, can be helpful as they have access to multiple markets.

Where can New Hampshire residents get a quote for a personal umbrella policy?

If you’d like assistance getting a quote on a personal umbrella policy, contact the independent insurance agents at HPM Insurance. Our New Hampshire agents can help find a policy suited for your needs.