Second; many advocate holding in your personal name for just a couple properties and having an umbrella liability policy to protect you.

Yes, definitely different opinions on this matter: LLC vs hold in personal name with umbrella insurance.I'm currently trying to figure this out for myself.As for how many properties, I think it's better to look at it not just number, but how much equity in each LLC.

I even asked if I could get some other service under the REWW umbrella, and they were not interested.In my view the disconnect was between the sales people and Kent.

While I am indeed a REI newbie I am starting to realize that sipping an umbrella drink on the beach is something that you do to spend time with loved ones.  

I would probably get higher liability, unless you already have a personal umbrella liability policy.Call some local independent brokers who work with investors/landlords.

I've read several strategies for how to separate my personal finances from my business and am ready to get serious about this topic (the only protection I have currently is a $1M personal umbrella policy).

So you can say the managing LLC is an "umbrella" entity holding all.

i get the most adequate replacement cost..you can always buy a separate liability umbrella and they're relatively cheap..of course, an attorney told me that you don't really get the money if the building burns to the ground anyways...they just pay off your note and you're left with the dirt...haven't had to worry about that experience yet (knock on wood), so i don't know for sure...

Is each property LLC bundled under the umbrella of the ABZ Properties LLC?

My rental homes I don't, but I keep an umbrella policy.