You typically can’t get umbrella insurance on its own. Instead, it acts as an add-on to your existing policies, and kicks in when your existing coverage has been used up. Most insurance providers offer it as optional add-on when you get insurance, and the amount that you can be covered for differs depending on your needs and the insurance company. Many providers can cover you for up to four million dollars and others even more, depending on your needs. Hirschler suggests getting umbrella insurance that roughly equals whatever your net worth is, so that if you are sued, it is absorbed by the insurance and not by your personal funds. It’s also important to note that umbrella insurance won’t be able to help if the accident is not covered by the policy or if you purposely hurt someone or damage someone’s property – it’s an insurance policy, not a get-out-jail-free card. And like with any other insurance policy, you can save money on your umbrella insurance policy by taking your needs into careful account and comparing different companies for the best rates.