The cost of umbrella insurance varies by state and by your location in that state. The cost is different for the same reasons that traditional insurance is different, so whatever factors influence the cost of your traditional auto insurance can be expected to play a part in the cost of your umbrella policy. A good range of cost for umbrella insurance is between $200-$300 per year. For that small amount of money, the insurance can contribute up to five million dollars of a lawsuit claim, making it well worth the small increase in the cost of premiums.

Because of the nature of umbrella insurance, it carries a high deductible, sometimes of more that $200,000. Of course, you are not paying that amount out. This is the amount that "you" have to pay before it kicks in, but "you" if often your primary car or homeowners' insurance. Most companies that sell umbrella insurance will require that you have auto insurance and homeowner's insurance that is equal to your deductible. This ensures that you don't have to pay any more out-of-pocket than necessary.

There are times that it's better be "self-insured." This simply means that you are responsible for paying all of your insurance costs, which translates into an easy concept: you don't have insurance! Those who choose to be self-insured do so because they don't expect to ever need it. For example, if you don't drive but once a week, or you're a hermit and don't invite people to your home, you could possibly afford to be self-insured. But if you're a typical, extroverted American who uses a vehicle on a daily basis, it would be to your benefit to consider an umbrella insurance policy.

Tristan Andrews is a writer for California Car Insurance.