Personal Umbrella Insurance in McHenry, IL & Northern Illinois
One lawsuit shouldn't undo a lifetime of work.
A personal umbrella policy adds an extra $1 million or more of liability protection on top of your auto and home — for the moments when a regular policy isn't enough.
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Why Choose Ryan P. Conway Agency
Big protection for a surprisingly small premium.
Most people think umbrella policies are just for the wealthy. They're not — they're for anyone who has more to protect than their auto and home policies cover. Illinois jury verdicts in serious injury cases routinely exceed $1 million, and a $1 million umbrella often costs less than a streaming subscription per month — protecting against a single bad day wiping out everything you've built.
Coverage Breakdown
What a Personal Umbrella Policy Covers
An umbrella policy sits on top of your other personal policies and kicks in when their liability limits are exhausted. It also covers some things your underlying policies don't.
Core
Auto Liability Excess
Picks up where your auto policy's bodily injury and property damage limits end. Critical given today's vehicle costs and medical bills.
Core
Home Liability Excess
Adds protection above your homeowners liability — for injuries on your property or damage you cause to others.
Core
Watercraft & RV Liability
Extends over your boat, RV, motorcycle, and similar policies. Often the most overlooked exposure.
Bonus
Slander, Libel & Defamation
Covers legal defense and judgments for things you say or post that are alleged to harm someone's reputation. Increasingly relevant in the social media era.
Bonus
False Arrest & Invasion of Privacy
Covers civil claims most personal policies exclude — things that get serious fast in a litigious environment.
Bonus
Worldwide Coverage
Most umbrellas cover you anywhere in the world for personal activities — international travel, vacation rentals, and more.
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What's Actually At Risk
$500K
Liability limit on a typical home or auto policy
$1M +
Common jury verdicts in serious injury cases
$500K
The gap you'd pay out of pocket — without an umbrella
Your home equity, retirement savings, future wages, and personal assets are all on the line in a judgment that exceeds your underlying coverage. Figures reflect Insurance Information Institute industry guidance and verified Illinois jury verdict data.
The Math of a Lawsuit
Your underlying policy is often less than half the protection you need.
Standard auto and home policies typically cap liability at $300,000 to $500,000 according to the Insurance Information Institute. That sounded like a lot when those limits were set in the 1990s — but vehicle prices, medical costs, and jury awards have all climbed sharply since. A single serious accident or injury at your home can easily produce a judgment larger than your policy's ceiling, and once that ceiling is hit, the rest comes from you.
Who It's For
You probably need umbrella insurance more than you think
Umbrella coverage isn't just for the wealthy — it's for anyone with circumstances that increase the odds of being sued. If any of these apply, it's worth a conversation.
Teen drivers
New drivers have higher accident rates. A serious crash involving a teen driver is one of the most common umbrella triggers.
Pool, trampoline, or dog
"Attractive nuisances" and pet-related injuries are among the most common homeowner liability claims nationally — the III reports dog-related injury claims alone average over $58,000 each.
Boat, RV, or motorcycle
Recreational vehicles add liability exposure — and an umbrella that covers all of them is far cheaper than buying excess on each.
Rental property or side hustle
Renting out a property, hosting Airbnb guests, or running a small business from home all increase your liability footprint.
Local Services
Umbrella Coverage Throughout Northern Illinois
Ryan P. Conway Agency is based in McHenry, Illinois, and we write personal umbrella policies for clients throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. We concentrate in McHenry County, Lake County, and the communities along the Wisconsin border, but serve clients in Kane County, Boone County, DeKalb County, and beyond. The cities below are just a sample.
- McHenry
- Crystal Lake
- Woodstock
- Algonquin
- Lake in the Hills
- Cary
- Huntley
- Marengo
- Fox Lake
- Antioch
- Wauconda
- Grayslake
- Lindenhurst
- Lake Geneva
- Genoa City
- Twin Lakes
- Walworth
- Williams Bay
McHenry
Crystal Lake
Woodstock
Algonquin
Lake in the Hills
Cary
Huntley
Marengo
Fox Lake
Antioch
Wauconda
Grayslake
Lindenhurst
Lake Geneva
Genoa City
Twin Lakes
Walworth
Williams Bay
Common Questions
Personal Umbrella Insurance FAQ
How much does a personal umbrella policy cost?
A $1 million umbrella typically runs $15–$30 per month — about $180–$360 a year, per the Insurance Information Institute. Cost depends on the number of vehicles, drivers, properties, and risk factors in your household. The next million of coverage is usually significantly cheaper than the first million.
Do I really need a $1 million umbrella?
You need one if a $500,000 judgment against you would devastate your finances — which describes most homeowners. Jury verdicts in Illinois routinely exceed $1 million in serious injury cases, and once your auto or home liability is exhausted, the rest comes out of your assets, your wages, and your equity.
When would an umbrella policy actually pay out?
A few common examples:
- Serious at-fault auto accident — multiple injuries, lost wages, ongoing medical care exceeds your auto policy's bodily injury limits.
- Slip and fall at your home — a guest is seriously injured on your property, racks up medical bills, and sues for damages above your homeowners liability.
- Teen driver crash — your teenager causes a multi-car accident and the combined damages exceed your auto liability.
- Defamation claim — you're sued for something posted on social media. Legal defense alone can run six figures.
Does an umbrella cover business activities?
Generally no — a personal umbrella is for personal liability only. Business activities, rental property liability (in most cases), and professional services typically require commercial policies. We can help you sort out which exposures need which kind of coverage.
Do I need an umbrella if I rent and don't own a home?
Possibly. Renters with significant assets, teen drivers, dog ownership, or higher-income futures often still benefit from umbrella coverage. The carriers that write umbrellas over renters policies are more limited, but options exist.
Will my existing auto and home limits need to go up?
Maybe. Most carriers require you to carry $250,000/$500,000 auto bodily injury and $300,000 home liability before writing an umbrella, according to standard industry guidance. If your current limits are lower, raising them is usually inexpensive — and necessary to qualify.
Does an umbrella cover damage I do to my own property?
No. Umbrella policies cover liability — what you owe to others. Damage to your own home, car, or belongings is covered by the underlying property coverage on those policies, not by the umbrella.
How much umbrella coverage should I carry?
A common rule of thumb is to carry coverage at least equal to your net worth — and to factor in future earning potential if you're younger. Most clients start at $1 million; $2 million is increasingly common for households with kids, teen drivers, recreational vehicles, or higher home values.