They make it easy to package together small or large portfolios and get one big umbrella mortgage on them.  

I feel like some may say skip the LLC and get an umbrella policy, and purchase all myself but that does not help me with my other side work, I'd like to be able to write off some of that stuff under it as well (now im questioning if i even need the LLC to write that stuff off?

Do people hold rentals in their personal name so they can get more favorable rates/terms/lengths on the financing and just pile on an umbrella insurance policy for protection?

So, I'd get sued personally anyway, whether an improper party or not.I've also read that good insurance and a good umbrella policy should provide sufficient protection under most circumstances.  

To get tax benefit, you need a C-corp where corporate tax rate might be lower than your personal as well as being able to move revenue around from one calendar year to another, but for small number of rental properties, it's not worth it.For me, to feel safer, I'd spend the money to increase the liability coverage and get an umbrella insurance.Even if you have multiple properties, putting them all in one LLC still expose you to the risk of loosing them all, unless you have individual LLC/property.

I would also follow it up with an umbrella policy for between 1-6 million dollars.

In the past, my property and umbrella insurance has provided enough piece of mind for me, though if I am overlooking some other major benefit of the LLC verses the cons, I will reconsider. 

I am a big fan of the peace of mind that comes from insurance and in particular an umbrella coverage (I am not an insurance sales person). 

A commercial umbrella policy might mitigate any liability concerns, and they are pretty inexpensive for the coverage offered.

(LARGE) liability insurance policy on the house and then have that backed up with a LARGER umbrella policy.