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Commercial umbrella and excess liability insurance

To get a quote or speak with a USAA Insurance Agency commercial specialist, call 800-292-8135.

What’s commercial umbrella insurance?

Commercial umbrella insurance is one way you can get extra liability coverage for your business. If someone files a claim against you and it goes over your underlying commercial policy limits, you may have to pay the remaining costs.‍ ‍ See note 1

Commercial umbrella is available through the USAA Insurance Agency.

How’s it different from excess liability insurance?

Excess liability insurance is another way to get extra protection for your business. Commercial excess insurance can provide coverage over one business policy per claim, while commercial umbrella insurance can provide coverage over multiple business policies.

Example: Let’s say one of your commercial vehicles rear-ends another driver. The repair costs, medical bills and legal defense costs could be more than what your business’ auto and general liability policies will pay. 

Either commercial umbrella or excess liability insurance could help pay extra costs, or they could work together if you have both.‍ ‍ See note 2

Reasons you may need umbrella or excess liability

If you own a business of any size, you may want to consider one or both of these policies to get the limits you need and help protect your assets.

Employees

Your employees could create additional liabilities.

Company Vehicles

Accidents happen whether you have one vehicle or a whole fleet, or employees who drive their own cars for business.

Vendors or Customers

When you allow people to visit your business, property damage and injuries are possible.

Professional Services

Your business may be at a high risk for lawsuits if it provides products or services.

What can umbrella and excess liability cover?

Both can help cover these things if the costs go above the limits of your underlying policies.

  • Someone's injury or damage to another's property
  • Slander or libel
  • Using others' advertising ideas
  • Selling a defective product
  • Copyright infringement
  • Failing to provide services at the level expected
  • Issues around federal and state employment practice law
  • Errors and omissions, like an accountant providing inaccurate financial advice

Why choose us for business insurance?

Whether you need excess liability coverage, umbrella coverage or both, a commercial specialist can help you find the right amount of protection. If you have questions about a policy that fits your needs, call 800-292-8135.

And if you have to report a claim, you can expect USAA-level support throughout the process.

Other ways to protect your small business

Business Owners Policy

This policy bundles three essential coverages: general liability, business income and property.

Learn more business 
owners policy,BOP

Professional Liability

Get coverage in case something goes wrong with the professional services you provide.

Learn more professional liability

Commercial Auto

Get protection if you use your vehicle for business or have large trucks or fleet vehicles.

Learn more commercial auto

Commercial umbrella and excess liability FAQ

There are many factors that determine the costs, including:

  • Size of business
  • Type of business
  • Amount of coverage

Every business is different. The amount you need often depends on the amount of risk you have. 

You may also have some customers, vendors or landlords who require you by contract to have a certain amount of liability coverage.

It depends on the limits and coverages of your current policies. They may not allow you to increase your coverage to the full amount you need. 

Umbrella insurance or excess liability might also be more cost-effective ways to provide higher limits.

Help protect your company’s future.

To get a quote or speak with a USAA Insurance Agency commercial specialist, call 800-292-8135.

Related footnotes:

  1. The above coverage descriptions are intended to provide general information and are not an insurance contract. All coverages are subject to the terms, exclusions and conditions of the insurance policy. Read the insurance policy for complete details. Product, coverage and coverage limits options may vary by insurance company and location. Applications for insurance are subject to underwriting by the insurance company.

  2. The coverage examples or scenarios included above are intended to show the types of situations that may result in claims. They shouldn’t be compared to an actual claim. Whether or to what extent a particular loss is covered depends on the facts and circumstances of the loss, the terms, and conditions of the policy as issued and applicable law.

Related footnotes:

  1. Membership eligibility and product restrictions apply and are subject to change.

  2. USAA Insurance Agency means USAA Insurance Agency, Incorporated or USAA of Texas Insurance Agency (collectively the “Agency”). California License #0D78305, Texas License #7096. 9800 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Texas 78288. The Agency contracts with insurance carriers that are not affiliated with USAA and offers products and services (“third-party insurance products”) on their behalf. Third-party insurance products are not underwritten by USAA or its affiliates. The Agency receives a commission on the sale or renewal of third-party insurance products and may receive other performance-based compensation from them. Purchase of third-party insurance products does not establish USAA membership. Product and coverage descriptions are brief. All coverages are subject to the terms and conditions of your policy. Read your policy for details. Product and coverage availability may vary in some locations and all applications for insurance are subject to underwriting by the insurance carrier.

  3. Small Business Insurance is underwritten by Garrison Property & Casualty Insurance Company, San Antonio, Texas ("Garrison"), or is underwritten by insurance companies that are not affiliated with United Services Automobile Association (USAA) ("third-party insurance companies"). Each company is solely responsible for its insurance products. Any product or coverage descriptions are brief and are informational only. Products, availability, coverages, and terms vary by state and exclusions apply. Applications for insurance are subject to underwriting by the applicable insurance company. All coverages are subject to the terms and conditions of your policy. Read your policy for details. Products underwritten by third-party insurance companies are offered through a relationship between the USAA Insurance Agency (the "Agency") and the third-party insurance company. The Agency contracts with third-party insurance companies to offer products and services ("third-party insurance products") on their behalf. Third-party insurance products are not underwritten by USAA or its affiliates. The Agency receives a commission on the sale or renewal of third-party insurance products and may receive other performance-based compensation from them. When you purchase an insurance product from one of these third-party insurance companies, that company is responsible for protecting your data, and its processes and procedures may differ from those of USAA. USAA Insurance Agency means USAA Insurance Agency, Inc., or USAA of Texas Insurance Agency (collectively the "Agency"). California License #0D78305, Texas License #7096, 9800 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Texas 78288.

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