One accident. One lawsuit. That’s all it takes to wipe out years of savings, put your home at risk, and threaten your future income. Standard auto, home, and boat insurance often cap out long before the bills do—leaving you to cover the difference.
A personal umbrella policy gives you an extra $1M–$5M (or more) in liability protection on top of your existing coverage. Think of it as a financial safety net designed for real life—not just “what ifs.”
And in Florida, the risks are higher: crowded I-95 and I-295 traffic, boating on the St. Johns River or the coast, backyard pools, and rental properties that invite liability. It’s not just the wealthy who need extra protection. It’s anyone who wants peace of mind.
Because you don’t have to be a millionaire to be sued like one.
A personal umbrella policy is extra liability coverage that sits on top of your existing home, auto, or boat insurance. Once your regular policy liability limits are maxed out, the umbrella policy steps in to cover the remaining expenses. It can also offer protection for situations that your standard policies don’t cover, such as libel, slander, or false arrest.
Think of it like a financial safety net: without it, one serious accident or lawsuit could wipe out years of hard work.
Umbrella insurance is designed for the big, unexpected events that can turn into major claims. It can pay for medical bills and legal fees if you’re held responsible for an injury, whether that’s a car accident, a neighbor slipping by your pool, or even a dog bite. It also provides coverage for damage to someone else’s property, and extends to personal injury claims like defamation or invasion of privacy.
Another major advantage is that umbrella policies usually cover legal defense costs. Even if a lawsuit against you is thrown out, attorney and court fees can add up quickly. Many policies also provide coverage worldwide, which means you’re protected whether you’re in Florida, traveling in the U.S., or abroad.
Uninsured driver accident: A woman rear-ended by an uninsured driver was left with $260,000 in uncovered medical bills. Her umbrella policy paid the balance after her auto insurance limit was exhausted.
Work-zone injury: A driver hit a construction worker in a road work zone, causing life-changing injuries. Once the auto policy maxed out, the umbrella covered another $1 million.
Boating incident: A rope injury on the water left a passenger with serious harm. The umbrella filled a $500,000 gap after boat insurance limits were reached.
Home/property accident: A homeowner accidentally injured a contractor while removing a tree. The umbrella paid $800,000 after home insurance limits were used up.
Claims sourced from Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big I) / RLI Personal Umbrella Policy.
In Florida, the average cost for a $1 million personal umbrella policy starts around $350-400 per year. Your price depends on the number of assets to be covered — such as multiple cars, boats, or rental properties — whether you add uninsured motorist coverage, your driving record, and the coverage limits you select. Even at this price, umbrella insurance remains one of the most affordable ways to protect your financial future. For many Jacksonville families, it’s just over a dollar a day for peace of mind.
If you own multiple cars, homes, rental properties, boats, or have teenage drivers, expect higher costs.
Umbrella policies are already one of the most cost-effective policies. You can often save more by bundling home and auto with the same carrier, keeping a clean driving record, considering higher deductibles on underlying policies, and working with an independent agent who can compare multiple companies on your behalf.
A simple rule of thumb is to carry umbrella coverage equal to—or greater than—the total value of your assets and future income. That way, if you’re ever involved in a serious accident or lawsuit, your home, savings, and earnings are better protected from being used to pay a judgment.
Most umbrella policies are offered in limits ranging from $1 million to $5 million, though some high-net-worth insurers will extend coverage up to $25 million. Your agent can help you determine the right amount based on your unique situation.
For Florida residents in particular, adding $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage to your umbrella policy is a wise move. Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of uninsured drivers. If someone with little or no insurance injures you, UM coverage on your own umbrella can step in to help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
We strongly encourage you to speak with your insurance agent for personalized guidance. And if you don’t currently have an agent—or you’d like a second opinion—we’d be glad to walk you through your options and help you choose the right protection.
When you purchase a personal umbrella policy in Florida, insurance companies require you to carry certain minimum amounts of liability coverage on your existing auto, home, rental, or boat policies. These are called underlying requirements. If your underlying coverage is too low, the umbrella company will not issue the policy until you raise your limits.
Here’s how it works: if a claim occurs, your base policy (auto, home, etc.) pays first, up to its liability limit. The umbrella then steps in to cover the rest. But if your underlying limits don’t meet the required minimums, you could be left paying the gap yourself.
Most carriers in Florida recently increased their minimums, especially on auto insurance. Here are the typical requirements now seen in 2025:
Meeting these requirements makes sure your umbrella policy can do its job: protecting your home, income, and future assets from large claims. While raising your auto liability limits may increase your premium slightly, it also gives you stronger everyday protection — even before the umbrella kicks in.
Tip: An independent agent like us -- Augustyniak Insurance Group in Jacksonville can review your current policies, adjust your limits if needed, and make sure you meet today’s umbrella requirements before applying.
Not all insurers offer umbrella coverage the same way. RLI provides a stand-alone umbrella policy, so you don’t need to move your auto insurance — a flexible option if you’re happy with your current carrier with our agency. However, large companies like Nationwide, AAA, Auto-Owners, Progressive, and Geico also offer umbrella coverage, but most require that your auto policy be insured with them through the same agent. An independent agency in Jacksonville can help you compare these paths quickly and clearly.
Myth #1: Umbrella insurance is only for the wealthy. Fact: Even middle-class families in Florida are at risk. If you own a home, car, or have savings, a lawsuit could put your financial future in danger.
Myth #2: My home and auto insurance is enough. Fact: Standard home liability limits often stop at $300,000, and auto insurance limits can also be lower. In Florida, medical bills and lawsuits can easily exceed that. An umbrella policy fills the gap.
Myth #3: Umbrella insurance is expensive. Fact: In Jacksonville, many families pay around $400 per year for $1 million in coverage — far less than the cost of a single accident or lawsuit.
Imagine this: you’re driving down I-295 in Jacksonville when your teenager accidentally causes a major accident. The medical bills and damages total more than half a million dollars. Your auto policy pays up to its limit — but you’re still left owing hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
This is exactly the type of situation where personal umbrella insurance protects you.
Florida is a beautiful place to live, but it also comes with higher risks. We see more lawsuits than most other states, we drive on busy highways, and many families own pools, boats, or rental properties. All of these factors increase liability exposure, which is why umbrella insurance isn’t just for the wealthy — it’s for anyone who wants to safeguard their savings, their home, and their future income.
No, it’s not required by law. But in a state with high accident and lawsuit risks, it’s highly recommended.
In Florida, a typical $1 million personal umbrella policy starts around $350–$400 per year. Your cost depends on the number of assets you cover, whether you add uninsured motorist protection, your driving record, and the coverage limits you choose.
Yes. Liability claims from tenants or guests at your rental or vacation property may be covered once your landlord policy limits are reached.
Yes. With RLI, you can purchase a stand-alone umbrella policy, so your auto does not need to be insured with the same company. However, your auto insurance should be written through the same independent agency that issues your umbrella policy. Most other carriers—such as Progressive, Auto-Owners, Travelers, and Nationwide—require both your auto and umbrella to be with them. Keeping everything through one agency helps avoid coverage gaps and ensures your liability limits meet umbrella requirements
It adds an extra layer of liability protection on top of your home, auto, or boat policy. It can help with injuries to others, damage to someone else’s property, personal injury claims like slander or libel, and even legal defense costs. Some policies also include worldwide coverage.
Some carriers in Florida offer excess uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as an endorsement to an umbrella policy. It usually costs more, but it provides extra protection if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance.
Many people start with $1 million, but if you have multiple properties, a boat, teenage drivers, or a higher net worth, $2–5 million may be a better fit.
RLI offers a stand-alone umbrella policy. Larger carriers such as Nationwide, AAA, Auto-Owners, Progressive, and Travelers also offer umbrellas, but usually require that you place your auto policy with them. An independent agent in Jacksonville can help compare all your options.
At Augustyniak Insurance Group, we understand that protecting your family, home, and future isn’t just about buying a policy — it’s about peace of mind. Our team has helped thousands of families in Jacksonville and across Florida find the right umbrella coverage to fit their lifestyle and budget.
We’ll walk you through your options in plain language, recommend the coverage limits that make sense for you, and compare quotes from multiple carriers — including stand-alone policies like RLI. With over 2,000 Google Reviews, local families already trust us to help protect what matters most.
👉 Get your free umbrella insurance quote today and take the first step toward stronger protection for your assets, income, and future.