Understanding Umbrella Insurance: Protection Beyond the Norm

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In the world of insurance, certain policies provide more than just basic coverage. One such policy is umbrella insurance, which offers additional layers of protection for your assets and financial security.

Umbrella insurance serves as a supplementary liability policy that extends beyond the limits of your primary insurance policies, such as auto or homeowners insurance. It acts as a safety net, stepping in to cover costs when the liability claims against you exceed the limits of your existing insurance coverage.

Key Features and Benefits

Umbrella insurance provides extended liability coverage, filling gaps left by primary policies when their limits are reached. It covers a wide range of scenarios, including legal fees, judgments, and settlements for claims like bodily injury, property damage, landlord liability, and even libel or slander.

Despite its comprehensive coverage, umbrella insurance is typically affordable, offering substantial protection for a relatively low premium. This makes it a cost-effective way to enhance your overall insurance portfolio and protect your assets from being seized or liquidated in the event of a lawsuit.

Who Should Consider Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is valuable for anyone looking to safeguard their assets and future earnings from unexpected liability claims. Whether you own property, engage in activities with potential risks, or simply want to feel secure, knowing you’re financially protected, umbrella insurance offers critical security.

It’s particularly beneficial for individuals with significant assets that could be targeted in a lawsuit, as well as those who participate in activities where accidents or incidents could lead to substantial liability claims.

In today’s litigious environment, having adequate liability protection is crucial. Umbrella insurance goes beyond standard coverage to provide robust financial security, ensuring you’re protected against unforeseen legal expenses and liability claims that exceed your primary insurance limits.

Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or someone looking to safeguard your financial future, umbrella insurance offers peace of mind and comprehensive coverage that extends beyond the ordinary. Consider discussing your insurance needs with a knowledgeable agent to determine if umbrella insurance is right for you.

Hiring the Right Roofing Contractor

Spring and summer seem to be the most popular seasons when people start making modifications to their homes. If you’re in the market for a new roof due to its age or because a recent weather event damaged it, you’ll want to make sure that the person you hire will get the job done correctly.

Roofing contractors will not only be more experienced but they will be licensed in the state you live as well as be insured and bonded.

What steps should you take before considering hiring a good contractor to work on your roof?

Get Recommendations

The search for a contractor should begin with getting recommendations – either from a family member or friend who has used one before or by doing your search online. By asking people you know, you can weed out the good from the bad by their positive or negative experiences. By searching online, you can read reviews to see how a contractor’s work has been rated. Another option is to visit your local lumberyard or talk to a building inspector to get their recommendations.

Also, don’t forget to check to see if a contractor is listed positively or negatively on the Better Business Bureau.

Conduct Phone Interviews

Once you have compiled a list of potential contractors for the work you need done to your roof, start calling contractors to check their references, and availability and ask if they can handle a project of your size. You should also check to see how many other projects they have going on during the timeframe you would need them for.

Meet Face-to-Face

Meeting face-to-face should be the next step in the process before picking your roofing contractor. The contractor should see the work they may be accepting and be able to offer you examples of their work.

Get Bids

After interviewing and meeting with potential contractors, you should get bids for the job and compare and contrast the prices. Keep in mind, the cheapest bid might not be the best route because that contractor might not be using the best materials so it’s best to ask all contractors where they would be getting their materials.

Put Everything in Writing

The last step before hiring a contractor is to get everything in writing. The contractor you ultimately choose should draw up a contract which should include detailing the work that will be done, the amount of the project, the expected start and completion dates, the materials and products that will be used, and proof of being insured and bonded in your state.

Remember, if you are making repairs to your roof because of storm damage, be sure to contact us and make a property claim first. Your adjuster will help you through the claims process and let you know what is and isn’t covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Why You Need Condo Insurance

Are you contemplating buying a condominium but aren’t sure if you need condo insurance? While it’s not required by law in many states, most lenders or banks won’t give you a mortgage unless you provide proof you have insurance first. 

Besides, having condo insurance can help protect your personal belongings inside your home and provide personal liability protection should any accidents occur to people or property caused by you, a member of your family or your pets.

Doesn’t my condo association have insurance?


Your condo association most likely has their own coverage but their insurance probably covers the building(s) and commonly owned property. The association’s insurance would not cover incidents that happen inside your condo like water damage or a guest falling and getting hurt.

What does condo insurance cover?

With MAPFRE, the Unit-Owners policy generally covers fixtures, alterations, additions, structures owned by the insured; personal property; additional living and loss of rent. Every circumstance is unique, but these are generally what would be covered by your condo insurance policy.

What wouldn’t typically be covered by your condo insurance policy?

  • General wear and tear
  • Damage from lack of maintenance
  • Damage caused by remodeling your home
  • Flood damage and earthquake damage typically aren’t covered

How much condo insurance do I need and how much does it cost? 

We can help you decide what is specifically covered and what is not, therefore determining how much insurance you need. Those factors would help determine how much you pay for your policy in addition to things like geographic location, how old your property is and what the structure is made of and how much your deductible is. You may also need additional coverage for your more valuable personal possessions like jewelry as there are limits to what is covered under your standard condo insurance policy. You can always ask your Independent Agent about an endorsement for high value property.

If you live in Massachusetts, make sure you have the right coverage for your condo by getting a fast, free quote from us today.  Call us or contact us today. (910) 521-9090

Source:  https://www.mapfreinsurance.com/blog/why-you-need-condo-insurance/