Lawsuits can be a pain. Even when you are on the right side of justice, a bogus lawsuit can waste your time, and even worse, be ruled against your favor. While the American justice system gives you a fair trial, it’s the civil litigious nature that has a vague reputation. 

With lawsuits raining in the country, you need protection when cases are ruled against you. While you may have a boat, home, or auto liability coverages, they may not help when you face substantial liability claims. And folks, that’s where umbrella insurance comes into play. Still not convinced that you need umbrella insurance? Hang on as Western Insurance Associates of Spokane, WA, shares more insights. 

What does umbrella insurance cover?

Umbrella insurance is the safety net that saves the day when you are faced with claims exceeding your current insurance plans. Typically, umbrella insurance protects you against the below. 

• Bodily injury claims: Protects you when you sustain injuries to third parties. For instance, if you cause significant bodily injury to the other motorist in a vehicular accident, you are at fault, umbrella insurance takes over when your auto insurance liability coverage runs out.
• Property damage: It covers physical damage caused to other people’s property.
• Personal liability: The beauty of umbrella insurance is that it covers you against personal liabilities like libel, slander, and false arrest that aren’t covered by typical liability coverages. 

Generally, umbrella insurance covers damages and injuries to other parties and not you or your property. 

Who needs umbrella insurance?

Anyone with anything of value needs umbrella insurance since we can all be sued. However, if you are in the below categories, you need umbrella insurance ASAP since the chances of being sued are high. You need umbrella insurance if you:

• Own a home, boat, or vehicle
• Own dangerous pets
• Coach youth sports 
• Own a business
• Participate in risky hobbies that can hurt others
• Are a parent

Are you looking for extra liability protection in Spokane, WA? Please contact Western Insurance Associates for an affordable umbrella insurance quote. 

Do you own or manage a business in the greater Spokane, WA area? The team at Western Insurance Associates is proud to work with our business community and share our knowledge of commercial insurance options. As a business grows, its insurance needs can also grow. They can also become more complex, and adding an umbrella policy to existing coverage can create an insurance portfolio with robust coverage. Umbrella insurance is key when primary policies are exhausted due to major covered events. 

Understanding commercial policy limits and how umbrella insurance can cover those gaps

It is typical for commercial policies to have upper limits to their payouts. This means that once the limit is reached, any financial obligation due to an excessive loss is the responsibility of the policyholder. That’s where umbrella coverage comes into play. Once your primary liability protection is reached, the umbrella policy works as a stopgap. It will provide the needed additional coverage up to its limits. This type of protection can be pivotal to a thriving business.

Liability claims and excessive lawsuits can quickly extinguish the protection provided by a primary policy. Because of this, many businesses rely on their umbrella coverage as a way to protect their assets. Experienced, registered agents are able to provide in-depth information about the benefits and limitations of such policies. It is important for business owners to understand their current insurance policy and recognize any limitations therein. 

Find out more about how an umbrella policy can help protect your company

Western Insurance Associates is proud to serve the business community located in the greater Spokane, WA area. Now is a perfect time to meet with one of our knowledgeable agents to find out more. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.

If you are looking for a locally owned and operated independent insurance agency in Spokane, WA,  Western Insurance Associates fits the bill. Our company has been through many changes since it began in 1939 as Fairfield Waverly Insurance. We have changed with the times and today we have an experienced team that is dedicated to helping our customers find the right coverage for all their insurance needs. Umbrella is just one of the types of insurance we are happy to discuss with you. 

Umbrella insurance is often misunderstood. What is it and what it can do for you is not at all mysterious. Umbrella insurance is a type of excess liability insurance. It is not a policy that you buy unless you already own a policy that has liability coverage such as home or auto insurance. You don’t have to be a homeowner, however, to benefit from its coverage. It can be added to a renter or boat policy as well. 

Liability insurance is one of the most important types of insurance that you have. It protects you from legal action that may happen as a result of an accident that you or a family member is involved in. Medical bills for injuries can be very high. When these are combined with legal action against you, they can be devastating to your finances. Many things can result in a suit against you, from a car accident to someone injured while swimming in your pool. You may find out the hard way that the liability limit on your home or auto insurance is inadequate. 

Umbrella insurance usually adds between one and ten million dollars to your liability protection. If you live in or near Spokane, WA, Western Insurance Associates would love to sit down with you and discuss why umbrella insurance is something you need to have.

Umbrella coverage may not be required in Spokane, WA, but it’s recommended if you have assets. Policies are sold in $1 million increments, and the more assets you have, the more coverage you want. 

Look At Your Risk

A car accident can be a common scenario, which results in a significant judgment and would trigger the need for umbrella insurance. Your risk will be higher the more you drive and if you have elderly or teen drivers. Other things in your life can also increase your risk. For example, if you have a condo, then you could be held responsible if you damage other units. You are more at risk if you have a swimming pool, trampoline, boat, RV, or dog. You could be more likely to get sued if you serve on your homeowner’s association board or are active on social media. If you have several responsibilities, then you could be at a higher risk, which means you need more coverage. 

Look At Your Assets

The typical $1 million policy is usually enough for most people. However, if you have more assets, an agent at Western Insurance Associates may be able to help you determine how much more you need. A simple way to get an estimate of your net worth is to add up your belongings, which means your properties, house, retirement, bank accounts, and any investments you have and then subtract your liabilities or debts you currently have. Also, keep in mind your current income, as well as your expected future income. As your income grows and you get more net worth, you may want to increase your coverage. Keep in mind you will also need to meet the minimums required for auto insurance in Spokane, WA and the minimum homeowner’s insurance your lender requires you to have before getting umbrella insurance. 

Contact Western Insurance Associates to get a quote on umbrella insurance. 

Umbrella insurance is a unique type of coverage that is not for everyone. Still, it may benefit certain individuals who have high liabilities and large amounts of personal or business property. Western Insurance Associates provides umbrella coverage to clients in the Spokane, WA area and throughout the state. 

Business owners

Business owners can benefit from large amounts of coverage in several situations. For example, companies that specialize in transportation may have large fleets of vehicles on the roads at all times. If these vehicles are transporting goods or susceptible to large scale losses, it may be best to cover them under an umbrella policy. Some businesses may also have a large inventory or special equipment that is extremely valuable. A typical insurance policy may not be robust enough to cover everything that can potentially happen to these expensive items if they are destroyed or stolen.

Wealthy and high net worth individuals

When someone owns a large amount of real estate or luxury items that are in their personal collection, a standard homeowner’s insurance policy will not provide nearly enough coverage to protect them. An umbrella policy may provide thousands or millions of dollars of additional coverage beyond standard homeowners or auto insurance to protect these investments. The upfront costs of the policy can result in substantial savings if a wealthy individual ever has to deal with an emergency that destroys their home, possessions, or cars. 

Speak with someone who can provide more info about umbrella insurance

To learn more about if you will benefit from an umbrella policy, speak with an agent at Western Insurance Associates. We serve the Spokane, WA area with superior insurance coverage and unparalleled customer service. 

Living in Spokane, WA, you know the benefit of an umbrella when it rains. An umbrella insurance policy does for your assets what an umbrella does for your hair and clothes, it protects them. Western Insurance Associates has a knowledgeable staff to explain the benefits of an umbrella insurance policy and why everyone with any assets needs one.

You need an umbrella policy if you own a home or a car. An umbrella policy is additional liability coverage above and beyond what is provided by the liability portion of your home or auto insurance. Liability coverage may be something that you don’t think a lot about but it is important. It protects you against lawsuits that may be filed against you. If you are in an automobile accident or someone is hurt at your home you can be sued for damages and medical expenses. Owning a dog is also something that makes an umbrella policy a good idea. 

Not only would these types of events result in legal fees but it can also involve a judgment against you. Judgments can be very high and if they exceed the liability on your policy, you are responsible for the additional amount unless you have umbrella insurance. Typically umbrella insurance is between one and five million dollars. If you don’t have umbrella insurance, you could be forced to sell your assets and your wages could be garnished for years to come. A horrible prospect to consider. 

An umbrella policy can give you peace of mind. If you have assets, it is something that you really need to consider. Why not call our office in Spokane, WA and talk to the experienced team at Western Insurance Associates about what umbrella insurance can do for you. You will be surprised at how affordable this important coverage is. 

 

Umbrella insurance is extra coverage you can add to your existing insurance policies. For example, you can add umbrella insurance to your homeowners insurance to cover any events that your policy may not cover. If you have a dog, for example, and it bites a neighborhood kid, the parents may decide to sue. Rather than dip into your savings or 401k for funds to cover litigation, you can use your umbrella insurance to help cover costs. This is just one of many scenarios that could happen unexpectedly and for which you will be grateful to have umbrella insurance. To learn more about acquiring this all-important policy and save money in the process, keep reading. 

1. Compare Quotes

When shopping for an insurance policy, it’s vital to compare several quotes. This way, you can find the best coverage for your particular needs. The team at Western Insurance Associates will help you comb over each quote and find the right one at the right price.

2. Bundle Your Policies

An easy way to save money on a new umbrella insurance policy is to bundle it with your other policies. You probably have auto insurance, life insurance, and homeowners insurance. When you bundle all your policies under one insurance company they will reward you with lower premiums.

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

Agents know the insurance business. They are able to point out differences in policies and help you find the best price for your needs. Working with a reputable agent will guarantee you get the best umbrella insurance policy.

To learn more about umbrella insurance, contact the team at Western Insurance Associates, serving the Spokane, WA area.