General Liability GL
Offices, shops, and service businesses · Contractors who must give certificates to general contractors
Core protection if a third party alleges bodily injury or property damage arising from business operations.
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Commercial Lines
Commercial Umbrella / Excess Umbrella
Additional limits above primary general liability, auto, and employer’s liability policies.
A commercial umbrella adds more liability limit on top of the policies you already have. When a bad claim blows through $1 million, this is the next layer.
How it works
Many contracts, landlords, and project owners now ask for $2 million, $5 million, or more. Rather than raising every primary policy, businesses buy an umbrella or excess policy that sits above general liability, commercial auto, and employer’s liability. It is for the severe claim — a serious auto accident, a job-site injury to a third party, or a large property-damage event. We size the limit to the work, the contracts, and the balance sheet, not to a round number that sounds safe.
Who this is for
- Contractors bidding jobs that require higher limits
- Property owners and growing operating companies
- Fleets with meaningful road exposure
- Anyone whose primary $1 million limit would not finish a serious claim
What it typically covers
- Liability above the underlying commercial policies
- Contractual limit requirements that exceed primary policies
- Severe third-party injury or damage claims
- Defense as described once the primary policy is exhausted
A simple example
A company driver causes a highway accident with several injuries. The commercial auto policy pays its $1 million. The umbrella is designed to continue from there, up to its own limit.
Good to know
- The umbrella only works if the underlying policies are in force at the required limits.
- Some contracts want a following-form excess policy. We match the form to the requirement.
Coverage, eligibility, and terms vary by location and underwriting.
Guides
Read this before you quote or apply.
Guide
What to review before renewing commercial liability
Limits, additional insureds, class codes, and the claims that actually blow through a $1 million GL policy.
Read guideGuide
BOP vs. separate general liability and property
When a packaged business owners policy is enough, and when a contractor or manufacturer has already outgrown it.
Read guide