Excess / Umbrella Liability for Truckers & Fleets
What Is Excess / Umbrella Liability?
Excess/Umbrella adds an extra layer of liability limits above your Auto Liability, General Liability, and (when scheduled) Employers Liability. When a large claim exceeds your primary limits, the Umbrella steps in to protect your balance sheet and keep you contract-compliant.
Umbrella doesn’t replace your primaries. It sits on top and typically follows form (subject to terms). You must maintain required underlying limits for coverage to respond.
Coverage Highlights & Common Options
Typically Sits Over: Auto Liability, General Liability, and Employers Liability (WC Part B). Options: $1M–$10M+ layers, follow-form excess, scheduled underlying policies, and additional insured / primary & noncontributory / waiver of subrogation statuses following the primary where applicable.
What’s Covered / Key Exclusions
Covers: catastrophic third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal/advertising injury after underlying limits are exhausted.
Excludes (common): cargo, your own equipment damage, employment practices, professional liability, pollution (unless scheduled), and gaps where required underlying limits aren’t maintained.
Typical Limits: layered $1M–$5M for small fleets; $10M+ for shipper/port contracts or higher-hazard operations.
Who Needs Excess / Umbrella?
Motor carriers & fleets with shipper/port contracts requiring $5M–$10M+ total liability • Owner-operators leased on to carriers with elevated limits • Operations with higher severity exposure (metro traffic, heavy commodities) • Anyone seeking protection from “nuclear verdicts.”
Underlying usually includes $1M Auto Liability and $1M/$2M CGL (where GL is scheduled). Employers Liability limits often at $500k/$500k/$500k. We’ll verify your schedule and close any gaps before binding.
How Much Does Excess / Umbrella Cost?
Pricing depends on requested umbrella limit ($1M–$10M+), fleet size & radius, driver/CSA history, loss runs, commodity/route severity, and your underlying schedule (Auto/CGL/EL). Credits may apply for telematics, cameras, and formal safety programs.
Key Pricing Factors
Requested umbrella limit & number of layers
Fleet size, operating radius, and driver/CSA profile
Loss history & safety/telematics programs
Underlying limits and any SIR/retentions
Exposure mix (commodities, routes, contracts)
Many contracts require a $5M total liability tower; ports/large shippers may require $10M+. We’ll stack layers to fit each contract and issue certificates fast.
Why Choose Us for Umbrella Coverage?
Trucking-specific umbrellas with accurate underlying schedules, shipper/port-friendly wording, and help avoiding hidden exclusions.
Fast certificates, flexible limits, guidance on stacking layers, and clear claims support when you need it most.
Protect your business from large liability claims and meet $5M–$10M+ contract requirements—set up in hours, not days.
👉 Call us at 908-888-0120 or use our quick online form to get started.
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