Where endorsements have been provided to us by the insurer, they have been considered in the completion of each summary comparison worksheet. Underwriters may, by attaching a single additional endorsement, significantly restrict or broaden coverage. The broker and purchaser of insurance therefore should always review all endorsements to determine their impact on the policy's coverage.You should not assume that all endorsements an insurer may attach to a policy are referred to in the worksheet.

A careful review of the policy by the insured and the agent/broker is necessary to ensure that the policy provides all the needed coverage. For example, an insured with a separate, well-arranged aviation or marine insurance program may not be concerned about nonowned aircraft and watercraft restrictions in an umbrella policy, while insureds with no separate coverage for this exposure should be especially careful to obtain such coverage in an umbrella.

Summary comparison worksheets are useful in identifying differences between policy forms only they are not a description or interpretation of coverage. Neither The Umbrella Book nor any other reference is a substitute for the reader's own ­analysis, due diligence, and careful reading of the policy form(s) being reviewed.