Shield Coverage Intelligence — v2.4.1LIVE DATA

Every policy has a ceiling.
Yours is lower than you think.

Most owners don't know what's exposed until it's too late.

$0

Average small business lawsuit cost

When a claim goes to judgment

U.S. Chamber Institute, 2024

0%

Of owners carry no umbrella coverage

Exposed above their standard policy

IIABA Small Business Survey, 2025

$0/mo

Median umbrella premium

For $1M in additional coverage

NAIC Market Data Report, 2025

2-minute assessment · No account required
The Gap Analysis

Three claims that destroy businesses every week.

Standard policies have hard ceilings. Umbrella coverage starts exactly where they end.

Scenario 01 — HVAC ContractorHVAC / Mechanical

Employee trips a pedestrian. Judgment lands at $1.4M.

A technician's unsecured ladder strikes a passerby outside a commercial job site. The injured party is a software engineer, 38, with documented lost wages. The jury awards $1.4M. Your general liability policy caps at $1M.

Standard policy leaves a gap — owner personally liable

Without umbrella coverage

GAP EXPOSED

Total claim judgment

$1,400,000

$1,000,000 GL

General Liability pays
$1,000,000
Gap — owner pays out of pocket
$400,000
Legal defense costs
$68,000
Claim covered71%

29% exposed — owner liable for the difference

Scenario 01 — ResolvedHVAC / Mechanical

Shield catches the $400K that punched through your GL limit.

The umbrella policy activates the moment your general liability limit is exhausted. It covers the $400,000 judgment gap and $68,000 in additional legal costs — for a policy that costs $52/month.

Shield umbrella absorbs 100% of this claim

With Shield umbrella coverage

SEALED

Total claim judgment

$1,400,000

$1M GL + $2M Umbrella

General Liability pays
$1,000,000
Umbrella covers excess
$400,000
Legal defense costs
$68,000
Claim covered100%

Full claim absorbed — business assets protected

Scenario 02 — Restaurant OwnerFood & Beverage

Delivery van rear-ends a family. Three injuries, one permanent.

Your driver runs a red light on a catering delivery. The other vehicle carries a family of three. One passenger sustains a spinal injury. Total damages, including future medical care: $2.1M. Your commercial auto policy limit: $500K.

Standard policy leaves a gap — owner personally liable

Without umbrella coverage

GAP EXPOSED

Total claim judgment

$2,100,000

$500,000 Commercial Auto

Commercial Auto pays
$500,000
Gap — business assets at risk
$1,600,000
Future medical monitoring
$220,000
Claim covered24%

76% exposed — owner liable for the difference

Scenario 02 — ResolvedFood & Beverage

Umbrella stacks above your auto limit. Restaurant stays open.

Commercial auto pays its $500K limit. Shield's umbrella activates and covers the remaining $1.6M judgment plus ongoing medical costs — protecting your equipment, your lease, and your liquor license.

Shield umbrella absorbs 100% of this claim

With Shield umbrella coverage

SEALED

Total claim judgment

$2,100,000

$500K Auto + $3M Umbrella

Commercial Auto pays
$500,000
Umbrella covers excess
$1,600,000
Future medical monitoring
$220,000
Claim covered100%

Full claim absorbed — business assets protected

Scenario 03 — Landscaping OperatorLandscaping / Grounds

Crew damages a $900K irrigation system. Client sues for lost harvest.

A crew working on a 40-acre vineyard severs an underground irrigation line. The vineyard loses 60% of its summer harvest. Replacement costs plus consequential damages total $870,000. Your GL covers property damage up to $300K.

Standard policy leaves a gap — owner personally liable

Without umbrella coverage

GAP EXPOSED

Total claim judgment

$870,000

$300,000 GL Property

GL Property Damage pays
$300,000
Consequential loss gap
$420,000
Legal and expert witness fees
$55,000
Claim covered34%

66% exposed — owner liable for the difference

Scenario 03 — ResolvedLandscaping / Grounds

Consequential loss covered. Twenty other client jobs protected.

Shield's umbrella bridges the $420K gap in property damage and covers legal costs. Your business credit, equipment loans, and contracts with 20 other clients remain intact — because one job site incident didn't cascade.

Shield umbrella absorbs 100% of this claim

With Shield umbrella coverage

SEALED

Total claim judgment

$870,000

$300K GL + $2M Umbrella

GL Property Damage pays
$300,000
Umbrella covers excess
$420,000
Legal and expert witness fees
$55,000
Claim covered100%

Full claim absorbed — business assets protected

Coverage Gap Assessment

Find your coverage gap in 2 minutes.

Five questions. A concrete number you can take to any carrier — or use to start a 15-minute call with a Shield specialist.

1. What type of business do you operate?
0/5
2. How many employees (including yourself)?5
12550+
3. Commercial vehicles on the road?2
01020+
4. Current general liability / auto limit?
3/5
5. Annual business revenue?
4/5
Complete all 5 fields to see your analysis

Your Risk Score

18/ 100

Low Exposure

Preliminary estimate

Recommended coverage: $1,000,000

Estimated monthly: $38 – $55/mo

Estimate updates as you answer. Final quote requires underwriting review.

Client Stories

Claims that would have ended businesses. Didn't.

Commercial Auto Excess

$780,000

"One of my guys backed a truck into a loading dock and the owner sued for $780,000 in lost inventory plus the dock repair. My commercial auto topped out at $500K. Shield's umbrella covered the $280K gap — I didn't even have to touch my business account."

$280,000 covered by umbrella

Marcus Okonkwo

Owner, Precision HVAC Services

Columbus, OH

Premises Liability Excess

$1,200,000

"A customer slipped near the bar at closing. Claimed a brain injury. The jury came in at $1.2M — way past my $1M GL. I'd been in business 14 years. That $200K gap would have closed the restaurant. Shield caught it."

$200,000 + legal fees covered

Carmen Delgado

Owner, La Hacienda Restaurant Group

San Antonio, TX

Property Damage / Consequential Loss

$430,000

"A crew accidentally cut a fiber line running under a client's property. The telecom company sued for service disruption — $430K. My GL had a $300K property sub-limit. The $130K difference would have wiped out two years of profit. The umbrella was $44 a month."

$130,000 covered by umbrella

Brian Terhune

Principal, Terhune Grounds & Irrigation

Fresno, CA

One question left

How much would a $1.4M judgment cost your business?

The assessment is free. The gap analysis is yours to keep. A specialist call is 15 minutes.

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