What is a personal umbrella policy (PUP)?

Protect yourself from a scenario where your “standard insurance” isn’t enough. A personal umbrella policy is called an “umbrella” policy because it provides liability coverage over and above your standard auto insurance or homeowners insurance. It offers protection for you and family in your household against large and potentially devastating liability claims or judgments. In short, a personal umbrella policy kicks in right where your other liability underlying limits have been reached.

Personal umbrella policies are optional, but they do provide extra protection. Here’s an example of why you might want one: You’re at fault for an accident that injures another driver. Your auto policy liability coverage pays up to your limit; let’s say it’s $250,000. But the other driver has a high-paying job, and she can’t work for six months because of her injuries. Now she’s suing you for $1 million, and your car insurance only covers $250,000. Your personal umbrella policy can cover the difference up to your policy limits.

Consider these potential real-life PUP scenarios:

• An accident on your swing set causes serious injuries.
• A guest has an accident around your pool that requires surgery.
• You’re burning leaves and cause a fire that damages neighborhood homes.
• You accidentally crash your boat into another boat.
• Your teen driver accidentally hits a pedestrian.
• A broken step causes your babysitter or a guest to have an accident.
• Your dog bites someone and you are sued for the damages.
• You post a negative online review that results in an alleged defamation lawsuit.

Allstate^® Personal Umbrella Policies cover a wide range of losses, including damages arising out of a covered occurrence* anywhere in the world that you are legally obligated to pay because of:

• Bodily Injury: Medical costs, loss of income and funeral expenses of other people involved in an accident
• Personal Injury: False arrest, invasion of privacy, libel, slander, humiliation or defamation of another person’s character
• Property Damage: Physical destruction of someone else’s property, including the resulting loss of its use

• You and your spouse
• Any person named on the Policy Declarations
• Any relative or dependent living with you

While a PUP can keep you covered for many of life’s unexpected scenarios, there are some occurrences that are not covered under the umbrella policy, such as liability or damages related to your business, your personal belongings, intentional or criminal acts or omissions and any written or oral contract.

Typically, personal umbrella policies are available in million-dollar increments from $1 million to $5 million. Allstate personal umbrella policies can also include coverage for the following situations:

• If you’re sued over an incident covered by your PUP, Allstate may retain and pay for your attorney.
• You’re protected no matter where you are—even when you’re out of the country.
• You could be covered for wages lost due to a court appearance, up to the limits specified in your PUP policy.

In order to purchase an Allstate^® Personal Umbrella Policy, you must have an auto or property insurance policy with Allstate that meets the required limits*. Below are the minimum coverage limits required for auto and property insurance, as well as other policies such as motorcycle, boat and motor home.