Excess liability capacity
for complex commercial risks

Excess liability insurance provides additional limits of liability above one or more scheduled underlying policies. It generally responds only after the applicable underlying limit has been exhausted by a covered loss, subject to the excess policy's own terms, attachment point, exclusions, and any follow-form provisions. Greenwood General places it wholesale for retail agents and brokers who need more capacity than the primary policy provides.

An excess policy sits above a scheduled underlying policy at a defined attachment point. When a covered loss exhausts the underlying limit, the excess layer responds for amounts above that limit, up to its own limit and subject to its terms. Multiple layers can be stacked — a lead layer above the primary, then buffer or higher layers — to build the total limit a broker needs. How each layer responds depends on its form, the underlying coverage, and the loss.

The terms are often used together but are not always interchangeable. Excess liability generally adds limits over scheduled underlying policies and typically follows their terms. A true umbrella may, depending on the form, provide somewhat broader coverage or drop-down features over a gap in underlying coverage. Because the label does not guarantee the coverage, brokers should confirm the actual policy form rather than relying on the product name. Greenwood does not represent that every placement includes umbrella drop-down features.

Follow-form excess generally adopts the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the underlying policy it sits above, applying them at the excess level. It does not necessarily mean the two policies are identical — the excess policy can still carry its own exclusions, definitions, conditions, and endorsements that modify how it follows form. Brokers should review both the underlying and excess forms to confirm how coverage actually lines up.

Supported excess refers to additional limits placed above an underlying policy that is written as part of the same overall account structure. Because the underlying and excess are coordinated, placement can be more straightforward. Availability, limits, and terms still vary by risk and are subject to underwriting.

Unsupported excess is coverage placed above a qualifying primary policy issued through another market. Because the underlying is written elsewhere, the excess underwriter reviews the outside carrier, policy form, limits, endorsements, and exclusions for acceptability before offering terms. Eligibility varies by class, underlying coverage, and jurisdiction.

A lead excess layer is the first excess layer attaching directly above the required underlying limits. It sits closest to the primary and is generally the first excess coverage to respond once the underlying is exhausted. Additional buffer or higher layers can attach above it to reach the requested total limit.

A buffer layer is an excess layer that attaches above the primary or a lower excess layer to help build the requested total limit — often bridging a gap between the underlying and a higher target attachment. Buffer and higher-attachment options may be available depending on the risk, underlying limits, loss history, and requested capacity.

Yes, excess coverage can be placed over claims-made underlying policies, but claims-made placements require careful attention to continuity of retroactive dates and reporting provisions. The excess and underlying triggers must line up, so brokers should provide the underlying retroactive date, form, and endorsements. Follow-form excess over occurrence underlying coverage may also be available, depending on the market.

Excess limits may be available over qualifying Commercial Auto liability when the required underlying limits are maintained — commonly a $1 million combined single limit, though requirements vary by market. Auto exposures are underwriting-intensive, so submissions should include vehicle count and type, radius, commodities hauled, driver information, applicable filings, and loss history. Employers Liability and other lines may carry their own separate underlying minimums.

Underlying limit requirements vary by risk and market. As a representative example from one available market, common minimums may include Commercial General Liability at $1M each occurrence / $2M general aggregate / $1M products-completed operations, Commercial Auto at $1M combined single limit, Employers Liability at $500,000 / $500,000 / $500,000, and Liquor Liability at $1M / $1M where applicable. These are not universal Greenwood requirements — the acceptable limits, carriers, forms, and endorsements are confirmed on each submission.

Capacity of up to $10 million may be available for qualifying Excess Casualty risks, subject to the class, attachment point, underlying coverage, loss experience, and underwriting approval. It is not guaranteed on every account, and higher or lower capacity may apply depending on the risk. Minimum premiums for a layer may start around $1,000, which is also market-dependent.

Excess Professional Liability provides additional limits above a qualifying underlying professional liability policy. Greenwood can pursue excess placements over eligible allied health, healthcare, management liability, and miscellaneous professional liability coverage. Each professional excess placement follows its own applicable underlying policy — excess casualty does not sit over professional liability — so the underlying professional form, retroactive date, and endorsements are reviewed on every account.

Underwriting depends on complete underlying coverage information: the ACORD 125 and Excess/Umbrella application, underlying applications, a full description of operations, and the underlying carrier, form, limits, retentions, classifications, endorsements, and exclusions. Add the requested excess structure (total limit, attachment point, supported or unsupported, lead/buffer/higher), five years of currently valued loss runs with narratives for large or unusual claims, and auto or professional exposure detail where relevant. Submit a risk to get started.