Excess Liability Insurance is structured around the underlying insurance identified in the excess policy. Changing the primary policy can therefore affect how, or whether, the excess layer responds.

Which changes should be reviewed? #

Tell Webber Insurance before:

• Changing the underlying insurer or policy wording.
• Reducing or increasing the primary limit.
• Adding or removing business activities.
• Changing geographic or jurisdictional exposure.
• Accepting new exclusions or restrictions.
• Changing the policy period.
• Cancelling an underlying policy.

The excess insurer may need to approve the change or amend its own schedule.

Can reducing the primary limit create a gap? #

Yes. If an excess policy attaches above $20 million and the primary limit is reduced to $10 million, the business may be responsible for the difference between the two layers.

An excess insurer may still require the underlying limit to be treated as if it remained in place, depending on the wording.

What if the primary insurer changes? #

The excess insurer may need to review the replacement insurer, wording, limits and exclusions. Do not assume the excess policy automatically follows any replacement primary policy.

What if the business changes its activities? #

Material changes should be disclosed across the complete liability program. Each insurer needs an accurate understanding of the risk it is covering.

What should be checked at renewal? #

Review the primary and excess policies together, including limits, attachment points, activities, policy periods, territorial scope and significant exclusions.

Providing every current schedule and wording to Webber Insurance helps us check that the layers continue to align and reduces the risk of an unintended gap.