Overview
J.M. Wilson Corp. offers a Commercial Umbrella Insurance program designed to expand liability limits and provide broader excess coverage for a wide range of small-to-medium commercial classes. As a Managing General Agency and Excess & Surplus (E&S) broker, we place excess and umbrella limits with both admitted and non-admitted markets to give agents flexible placement options for their clients.
Target Classes and Ideal Accounts
Below is a sampling of classes we routinely place on this program. These accounts typically fit when the underlying liability program is standard and loss history is acceptable:
- Apartment buildings
- Bakeries
- Beauty shop supplies distributors
- Beverage stores
- Cable TV companies
- Car washes
- Caterers
- Clubs
- Computer and electronics stores
- Department / discount stores
- Food and drink distributors
- Drywall installation
- Florists & gift shops
- Golf courses / driving ranges
- Hardware stores
- Hotels & motels
- Janitorial services
- Laundries & dry cleaners
- Lawn care services / contractors
- Masonry
- Meat, fish, poultry, seafood stores
- Nail salons
- Paving — sidewalks / parking / drives
- Paint / wall covering stores
- Photographers
- Pet stores
- Plumbing contractors
- Restaurants
- Video stores and theatres
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Limits available up to $20,000,000 to meet higher-limit requirements for premises, products, auto and other liability exposures.
- Placement options include both admitted and non-admitted markets depending on state and class, allowing more flexibility where admitted forms aren’t required.
- Excess/umbrella placements with adjustable attachment points and the ability to consider deletion of a Self-Insured Retention (SIR) where markets permit.
- Competitive minimum premium structure for smaller accounts:
- $1,250 minimum premium for the initial $1,000,000 of limit
- $1,000 minimum premium per additional $1,000,000 of limit
- Typical minimum attachment points often $1,000,000 primary / $2,000,000 excess for lower-hazard classes (subject to underwriting)
Underwriting Appetite and Restrictions
Underwriters prefer accounts with class-appropriate operations, stable or improving loss histories, and standard underlying limits and endorsements. The program favors low- to medium-hazard retail, service, hospitality, and light contracting risks listed above.
Generally not a fit: accounts with severe or repeated liability losses, significant professional or pollution exposures, or operations that require specialized excess capacity (heavy industry, high-hazard manufacturing) unless underwriting reviews and approves placement options first.
Sample Accounts (Agent View)
- Small regional motel seeking $5M excess over a $1M primary — the umbrella can provide a clean excess layer with broader limits for premises liability and guest exposures.
- Landscaping contractor with conservative loss history that needs higher aggregate limits for general and auto liability — the program can offer $1M+ excess limits and alternative attachment structures.
Territories and Availability
This program is available in: GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MS, MO, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV and WI. Admitted versus non-admitted placement depends on the state, class and carrier appetite.
Why Place Commercial Umbrella with J.M. Wilson
- Market access: we represent a number of admitted and non-admitted carriers, giving producers flexibility to place accounts that need admitted forms or E&S capacity.
- MGA & E&S expertise: focused underwriting for umbrella/excess placements with experience handling layered liability structures.
- Streamlined quoting: a focused appetite and clear minimums help agents get quick indications on common small-to-mid sized commercial risks.
Underwriting Notes and Submission Tips
- Include current underlying liability declarations pages and forms so we can confirm attachment points and coverage consistency.
- Provide 3–5 years of loss history when available; include explanations for any losses to speed placement.
- Describe operations, annual payroll/sales and vehicle exposures for contractors and service accounts.
- If you need deletion of an SIR or unusual attachment points, flag that on submission so underwriting can evaluate markets early in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this Commercial Umbrella program?
Retail, hospitality, light contractors, service and distribution classes with standard underlying programs and acceptable loss histories are the primary appetite. The program is designed for small- to mid-size commercial risks that need higher liability limits.
What limits and attachment points are available?
Limits are available up to $20,000,000. Typical minimum attachment points for lower-hazard classes are $1,000,000 primary / $2,000,000 excess, but underwriting will consider other structures based on the account. Minimum premium guidelines apply for each layer.
Which states does this program serve?
The program is available in GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MS, MO, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV and WI. Coverage options and admitted vs. non-admitted availability depend on the state and carrier.
Is coverage placed admitted or non-admitted?
We work with both admitted and non-admitted markets. The placement method depends on the class, state regulation, and the carrier selected by underwriting.
What information should I include with a submission?
At minimum provide current underlying declarations pages, loss runs (preferably 3–5 years), a description of operations, and exposure details (payroll, sales, vehicles). For contractors or hospitality accounts, include any contracts or risk-transfer requirements.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.