01
Additional limits
Capacity above the underlying general liability — and, where scheduled, above other liability forms — so a severe loss does not exhaust the program at the primary layer.
Coverage · 05
Excess liability, above the primary layer.
Additional limits over the underlying liability — structured so a severe loss does not stop at the first form. The issued wording is the contract.
The layer
What excess is built to hold.
02
Follow form
The excess is written to follow the underlying wording where that is the intent, so the insured is not surprised by a different set of exclusions at the second layer.
03
Drop-down
Where the form provides, the excess may drop down when an underlying limit is exhausted, subject to the remaining terms and any self-insured retention.
04
Defense in the excess layer
Whether defense costs erode the excess limit, sit outside it, or follow the underlying arrangement is a manuscript choice. Read the issued form.
Fit
Excess is a neighbor of the GL. Treat it that way.
An excess layer that does not follow the underlying form can leave a gap the organization only discovers in a claim. Shield writes the excess so limits, wording, and defense sit with the liability already in force.
Attachment points, drop-down, and whether the excess is follow-form or stand-alone are manuscript choices. Read the issued form.
Schedules
Send the underlying. Ask for a reading.
Excess inquiries should include the underlying liability form, its limits, and any existing excess already in force.