Business Insurance
Commercial Umbrella Insurance That Protects Everything You've Earned
One serious lawsuit can exceed your existing coverage limits. A commercial umbrella policy provides an extra layer of liability protection—so when the unexpected happens, your business and personal assets stay protected.
- 40+ Years in Business
- 10+ Insurance Carriers
- 150+ Years Combined Experience
The Gap That Could Cost Your Business Everything
Here’s a situation most business owners don’t think about until it’s too late. You have general liability insurance. Maybe $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate.
That feels like a lot—until a serious accident happens on your property and the lawsuit comes in at $3 million. Or a product you sell injures multiple people. Or a vehicle accident involving your employee causes catastrophic damage.
Your underlying policy pays its limit and stops. Everything above that limit is your problem. Business assets. Personal assets. Everything you’ve worked for.
Lawsuits involving serious injuries, multiple claimants, or long-term damages can move past standard liability limits faster than most business owners realize. And in Mississippi, juries can award significant damages. One verdict that exceeds your coverage is all it takes to put a thriving business in serious financial jeopardy.
A commercial umbrella policy solves this problem. It sits above your existing liability policies—general liability, commercial auto, employers liability—and kicks in when those underlying limits are exhausted. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to dramatically increase your liability protection.
Our Approach to Commercial Umbrella Coverage
Most businesses that don’t have a commercial umbrella policy don’t know they need one—until they do. Part of our job is making sure you understand where your current coverage actually ends.
When we review your liability exposure, we look at your underlying policies, your industry, your operations, and the realistic risk of a large loss. Then we help you decide how much additional coverage makes sense given what you have to protect.
As an independent agency with access to 10+ carriers, we can compare umbrella options across multiple companies. Pricing and terms vary more than most people expect on umbrella coverage, so having options matters.
We’ve been helping Mississippi business owners manage their liability exposure since 1982. We’ve seen what happens when businesses don’t have enough coverage—and we’ve helped clients avoid that situation.
HOW IT WORKS
Coverage Review
We review your existing liability policies—general liability, commercial auto, employers liability—to understand where your current limits are and where the gaps might be.
Exposure Assessment
We look at your business operations, industry risks, and what you have to protect to help you determine how much additional coverage makes sense.
Shop the Market
We compare commercial umbrella options across our carrier network to find the right coverage at a competitive rate.
Coordinated Protection
Your umbrella policy is coordinated with your underlying policies so coverage triggers correctly when you need it. We make sure everything works together.
What You Get With Us
Higher Liability Limits
A commercial umbrella adds $1 million, $2 million, $5 million, or more in coverage above your existing liability policies. For many businesses, this coverage can be surprisingly affordable.
Broad Coverage Across Multiple Policies
One commercial umbrella policy can sit above your general liability, commercial auto, and employers liability—providing coordinated excess coverage across all three.
Protection for Major Events
Multi-claimant accidents. Catastrophic injuries. Lawsuits that drag on for years. Commercial umbrella is designed for the big events that standard policies aren't built to handle alone.
Business and Personal Asset Protection
When a lawsuit exceeds your underlying coverage, your personal assets can be at risk. An umbrella policy creates a meaningful barrier between a business loss and your personal financial security.
Claims Advocacy
Major liability claims are complex. When you need someone in your corner, Sybil Waters—our 30-year claims veteran—helps you navigate the process and communicate with the carriers on your behalf.
What Our Clients Say
“I have been with The James Agency for almost 30 years and the customer service is better than it has ever been. Kandie Boutwell routinely goes above and beyond to help me with different needs and issues.”
Rusty Clark
30-Year Client
“They have been taking care of me for over 25 years! When I started with a car, my first home, and after 70 rental properties and two businesses. Roger White and all that preceded him has taken care of me in a very personal way.”
Tena Royce
25+ Year Client
“5 star service every time!”
Randy Albert
Longtime Client
Common Concerns
My general liability limits are already high enough.
That's what most business owners think until they face a serious multi-claimant lawsuit or a catastrophic injury. Standard GL limits that seem substantial can be exhausted faster than you'd expect. The umbrella is there for the moment your existing coverage isn't enough.
I can't afford more insurance.
Commercial umbrella coverage is often one of the most cost-effective insurance purchases a business can make. You're getting significantly higher limits at a fraction of what the underlying coverage costs. We'll show you the numbers.
I've never had a big claim before.
No one expects the big claim. That's exactly why it's so damaging when it comes. One serious accident, one large verdict, one catastrophic event—and years of "no claims" doesn't protect you from the financial fallout.
My business isn't big enough to need this.
Small and mid-size businesses get sued too. In some cases, they're more vulnerable because they have fewer resources to absorb a large loss. If you have employees, customers, vehicles, or property—you have liability exposure worth protecting.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance Questions
What's the difference between commercial umbrella and excess liability?
They’re similar but not identical. A commercial umbrella typically provides broader coverage and can apply over multiple underlying policies. Excess liability usually just extends the limits of a single policy. We’ll explain which applies to your situation.
What underlying policies does a commercial umbrella work with?
Typically general liability, commercial auto, and employers liability. The umbrella kicks in when any of these underlying policies reach their limits.
How much commercial umbrella coverage does my business need?
It depends on your industry, your operations, and what you have to protect. Common starting points are $1 million to $5 million. We’ll help you assess your exposure and decide what’s appropriate.
Does a commercial umbrella protect my personal assets?
It can. If a business lawsuit exceeds your business coverage and reaches toward your personal assets, an umbrella policy creates an additional layer of protection. This is especially relevant for sole proprietors and business partners.
Does a commercial umbrella cover everything my underlying policies cover?
Not necessarily. Umbrella policies have their own terms, conditions, and exclusions. We’ll walk you through exactly what’s covered and what’s not before you purchase.
Can I get a commercial umbrella if I don't have other business insurance with you?
Umbrella policies typically require you to maintain minimum limits on your underlying policies. We can review your existing coverage and coordinate accordingly, whether your underlying policies are with us or another carrier.
How much does commercial umbrella insurance cost?
Pricing depends on your industry, your underlying policy limits, your claims history, and the coverage amount. Many businesses are surprised at how affordable it is relative to the protection provided. We’ll get you a quote.
Get Your Free Commercial Umbrella Quote
The coverage you have is only as strong as the limit on the policy. When a major claim comes—and for many businesses, it eventually does—you want to know there’s more protection behind it.
We’ll review your existing liability coverage, identify where the gaps are, and help you determine whether a commercial umbrella makes sense for your business. One conversation. Clear answers. No pressure.