Shopping for an Umbrella Policy with Underinsured/Uninsured Coverage

As previously discussed on my website, you need strong underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage that mirrors your auto liability coverage limits.

If you are hit on a bicycle, make sure your auto liability limits match your underinsured/uninsured (UM/UIM) coverage limits. Don't reduce or "step down" your underinsured/uninsured coverage limits in an attempt to lower your policy premium just to save a few bucks. The savings are not big enough, and the potential expense can be devastating. For an insurance company to drop your underinsured/uninsured motorist's coverage effectively, they must obtain written permission from you. See Insurance Code Section 11580.2(a)(2).

For example, if you have a $500,000 liability policy, don't reduce your underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage to save a few dollars of premium.

Many bicyclists have expressed thanks for the above advice, but want to know where to find a back up umbrella policy with the underinsured/uninsured rider if the "bad guy" who hit you failed to have any insurance coverage, or had inadequate limits of coverage. In these economic times, this is all too common. I've briefly surveyed several brokers and companies for you and detail them below.* (If you find a better company, let me know!)

BROKER	LIMITS OF UMBRELLA COVERAGE
Rathbone, King, & Seely/Burns & Wilcox Insurance Services/USAA San Francisco, CA (800) 531-8444	Bodily Injury Limits: $2,000,000 UIM/UM Limits: $1,000,000 (Underlying Liability coverage: ) $300,000/$500,000 Total Cost: $ 1,130.00/year
John Tesoriero www.insurancebyjohn.com Travelers Insurance Company	Bodily Injury Limits: $1,000,000/umbrella UIM/UM Limits: $1,000,000/umbrella Extra Cost: $ 440.00/year
Brooke Roby Barney and Barney Insurance Services (858) 587-7548 Scottsdale Indemnity (800) 423-7675 Brooke.roby@barneyandbarney.com	Bodily Injury Limits: $1,000,000/umbrella UIM/UM Limits: $1,000,000/umbrella Cost: $ 233.00/year
American Alternative	Cost: $ 420.00/year
Anderson & Murison, Inc. Insurance Wholesalers Los Angeles, CA (323) 255-2333 www.andersonmurison.com	Call their personal Umbrella department for a variety of options including Scottsdale and Hudson below
Scottsdale Insurance	$1,000,000/umbrella $ 208.00/year $2,000,000/umbrella $ 375.00/year
Hudson Insurance	$1,000,000/umbrella $ 210.00/year $2,000,000/umbrella $ 380.00/year

If you're injured, hire an experienced trial attorney.

Ride safe, Ride strong! Richard Duquette Bicycle Injury Trial Attorney Since 1983