Policy Limits Checker.
Compare the coverage the defense disclosed against benchmarks for defendants of the same type. When disclosed limits sit well below typical, that's the signal that umbrella or excess coverage may be hidden — and an umbrella trace will pay for itself ten times over.
The defendant + the disclosure
How this disclosure compares
Select a defendant type and disclosed limits.
Typical coverage profile for this defendant type
Recommendation
How this checker works
The tool uses observed-coverage benchmarks for defendants of the type you select. The benchmarks reflect typical primary limits, typical umbrella ceilings, and the likelihood that an additional layer exists above the disclosed primary. When your disclosed limit sits at or near the bottom of typical, the chances are high that umbrella or excess coverage exists and is undisclosed.
Why disclosed coverage routinely understates the truth
The defense has no obligation to volunteer umbrella or excess coverage pre-suit. They have every incentive not to. A carrier letter citing "policy limits" typically references only the primary. Identifying the rest of the tower requires either subpoena (post-suit, slow, expensive) or a professional policy trace (pre-suit, fast, fixed-cost).
Defendant categories used
- Individual driver — personal auto: Primary typically $25K-$300K. Umbrella present in 30-40% of cases when defendant owns home or has visible assets.
- Affluent individual: Primary $300K-$500K plus umbrella nearly universal (often $1M-$5M+).
- Small trucking carrier: Primary $1M (federal minimum) with excess present on most. Common: $1M / $5M / $10M tower structure.
- Large trucking carrier: Primary $1M plus excess routinely $10M-$50M total tower.
- Apartment complex: Operator GL $1M-$5M plus umbrella; landlord/owner carries separate primary; management company carries third layer.
- Hotel / restaurant chain: Operator $5M-$25M plus franchisor coverage often layered on top.
What this checker does NOT do
It does not confirm what coverage actually exists. It compares your disclosure to benchmarks. To convert the suspicion into a verified coverage map, commission an actual umbrella policy trace or full limits trace.