Commercial Umbrella and Excess Liability for Contractors

What it may help with

Subject to the actual policy or bond form, its terms, limits, and exclusions.

• Additional limits above the underlying policies listed on the umbrella or excess policy.
• Meeting contract requirements for higher total liability limits.
• In some umbrella forms, coverage for certain claims not covered by underlying policies, subject to a retention.

Keep in mind

• An umbrella does not extend over every policy you own. It only sits over the underlying policies it schedules, and it typically follows the terms and exclusions of those policies or its own.
• Underlying policies usually must carry minimum limits required by the umbrella carrier.
• Umbrella and excess forms are not the same. Excess policies typically follow the underlying form more strictly.

Questions we'll review with you

• What total limits do your contracts require?
• Which underlying policies do you have now, and with what limits?
• Do you have any large commercial or public-entity contracts coming up?