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Plugging
Leaks in Your Risk Protection Plan
If
you’re on a fixed income, chances are you wouldn’t have the time or
resources to recover from a personal injury lawsuit of $1 million or more. Yet
studies show that juries have become increasingly sympathetic to plaintiffs in
personal injury cases, making the chances of facing such a lawsuit all the more
real.1 Umbrella liability insurance can help
safeguard your savings from the growing trend of personal injury claims.
Personal
injury lawsuits often result from incidents that are beyond your control. For
example, you could be involved in a car accident, a house guest might slip on
your property, or a falling tree from your yard could damage a neighbor’s
home. Having a swimming pool, owning a dog, or possessing substantial wealth may
also increase your chances of becoming the victim of a personal injury claim.
Most homeowners and auto insurance policies max out at about $300,000 in
coverage. But umbrella liability insurance picks up where those policies leave
off, providing an extra layer of protection. Usually sold in increments of $1
million, umbrella liability insurance can be fairly inexpensive. However, you
may be required to boost the liability limits on your home and auto insurance
policies because they act as a deductible for the umbrella policy.
In addition to physical injuries, umbrella liability insurance can also cover
claims that are generally excluded from standard homeowners insurance, such as
libel, slander, invasion of privacy, and defamation of character. Liability
insurance may also help pay legal fees, which can be substantial whether or not
you win the case.
At this time in your life, protecting your hard-earned assets may be your most
pressing financial concern. Umbrella liability insurance can help safeguard your
net worth in the event of an unfavorable personal injury judgment.
1) Jury Verdict Research, May 2, 2002
©
2002 Emerald Publications
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