How to Buy Church Insurance

A good church insurance policy is one that frees your leadership to focus on ministry. The key is finding an insurance agent and company that are right for your ministry. Consider the following areas of insurance before you make a purchase.

General property and liability protection

  • Protect your building and its contents against damage caused by fire, water damage, and adverse weather. Look for policies that would allow you to continue operations while your building was being restored because one of these perils had rendered it unusable.
  • Prepare your ministry for worker’s compensation and liability claims brought about by employee work-related injuries or illness.

Additional protection options

  •  A commercial auto policy typically covers injury liability for vehicles that your ministry owns, whereas a non-owned vehicle policy is for borrowed or rented vehicles.
  • Foreign travel insurance for long- and short-term missions may provide coverages for medical care, medical-related evacuation, accidental death, foreign liability, travel assistance, and other services.
  • An excess (umbrella) liability policy can provide excess liability protection, if needed, and extend the limits of other coverages.
  • A multi-peril policy offers optional coverages to protect against lawsuits alleging injury resulting from sexual misconduct, pastoral counseling, directors’ and officers’ liability, employment discrimination, equipment breakdown coverage, and other coverages that address specific ministry needs.

What to look for in an insurance agent

  • Choose an agent who works for you, not a single insurance company. A captive agent is a paid employee of the insurance company he or she represents, while an independent agent can sell products from multiple companies.
  • Ensure that the agent has certifications and experience specific to insuring churches and ministries.
  • Seek endorsements from ministries similar to yours.
  • Review printed materials and other educational resources the agent offers, and determine their relevance to your own risks.
  • Determine whether the agent understands how ministry organizations operate.

What to look for in an insurance company

  • Choose a company that gels with your mission and values.
  • Choose a company that offers policies designed to meet the unique needs of ministries.
  • Ensure that the company has a reputation for satisfying customer claims in a complete and timely manner.
  • Consult the A.M. Best Company ratings and other indicators of fiscal integrity.
July 22, 2021
Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit
Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit

Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.

Tags: ERC, payroll, tax credit
February 25, 2021
Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles
Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles

Did you know that the precious metal Rhodium is more than 10 times more valuable than gold?  It has increased from $650 an ounce in 2015 to $22,000 an ounce in 2021.

Tags: protect, theft, vehicle
November 23, 2020
COVID-19 and the Christmas Season
COVID-19 and the Christmas Season

Preparing for this Christmas season may require additional creativity, due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 may bring in our local community.

Tags: COVID-19, health, health safety, protect, coronavirus, Christmas, risk management
October 28, 2020
Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy
Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy

A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.

Tags: coverage, protect, liability, damages, youth
October 1, 2020
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness

Organizations that obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the CARES Act can have their loans forgiven, turning them into grants. To qualify, each borrower must file a forgiveness application with its PPP lender, proving that it followed the rules. If your church, school, college, or camp meets all the criteria, 100% of its loan can be forgiven.

July 21, 2020
Tips for Beating the Summer Heat
Tips for Beating the Summer Heat

Not only can summer heat be uncomfortable, but it can also pose a threat to your health. The heat can be especially dangerous for the elderly and for infants. Regardless of your age, don’t let the summer heat get the best of you!

Tags: damages, insurance, claims
March 31, 2020
CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now
UPDATED: CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now

Learn about the CARES Act and two loans for which ministries may be eligible, since Congress authorized additional funding April 23. 

March 6, 2020
Coronavirus and Your Ministry: Tips for Prevention
Coronavirus and Your Ministry: Tips for Prevention

As concern over the dangers associated with the spread of a new coronavirus, COVID-19, spreads, our agency and Brotherhood Mutual want to keep you informed and provide best practices for managing the spread of this and similar illnesses at your ministry.

January 29, 2020
Hosting a Game Day Bash? Brush Up on Copyright Basics
Hosting a Game Day Bash? Brush Up on Copyright Basics

The first Sunday in February is a big day for sports fans. In fact, many Americans view Super Bowl Sunday as a national holiday. Friends and families will gather this year to watch the big game, enjoy delicious snacks, and of course, critique the commercials that go along with game day.

Are You Covered If You're Injured Overseas?
Are You Covered If You're Injured Overseas?

Recently, we learned about two major overseas incidents involving pastors on mission trips. The first incident involved a pastor being hit by a motorcycle while running. The second was a bus accident involving two pastors. The runner and one of the two bus passengers sustained extensive injuries.

Tags: missions, insurance
IRS Announces More Church Audits Regarding ACA Compliance
IRS Announces More Church Audits Regarding ACA Compliance

Last month, the IRS announced that its initiating hundreds of church exams to test compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While many provisions only apply to churches with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), even smaller churches could potentially violate provisions applicable to health benefit plans with as few as 2 plan participants.

Tags: ACA, IRS
July 3, 2019
Celebrate Safely This Independence Day
Celebrate Safely This Independence Day

July 4th is synonymous with food, fun, and fireworks. If your church is planning an event this Independence Day, remember to keep a focus on safety, so that everyone can have fun.

Tags: firework safety
June 28, 2019
Insurance is one of those things we forget about until we need it
Insurance is one of those things we forget about until we need it

National Insurance Awareness Day falls on June 28 this year to remind people everywhere that insurance is vital to their companies and ministries.

Tags: damages, insurance, claims
May 5, 2019
May 5-11 is Hurricane Preparedness Week
May 5-11 is Hurricane Preparedness Week

The National Weather Service (NWS) has designated May 5-11, 2019, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Is your ministry prepared?

Tags: damages, protect, weather emergency
April 9, 2019
Vehicle Registration Guidelines for Ministries
Vehicle Registration Guidelines for Ministries

Do you use commercial vehicles that transport more than 15 passengers or carry cargo from one state to another as part of your ministry? If so, you are required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and obtain a USDOT number.

Tags: vehicle safety, auto insurance, liability
September 21, 2018
Measles Reported in 21 States, Including North Carolina
Measles Reported in 21 States, Including North Carolina

The Centers for Disease Control says 107 cases of measles have been reported in 21 states, including North Carolina, since January 1.

Tags: damages, insurance, claims
June 1, 2018
June Is National Safety Month - Week 1: Emergency Preparedness
June Is National Safety Month - Week 1: Emergency Preparedness

The National Safety Council has designated June as National Safety Month, so we want to make sure your ministry is doing everything it can to protect its people, property, and programs. Each week in June, we’ll tackle a different topic. Up this week: Emergency Preparedness.

Tags: disaster prep, fire prevention, lightning, medical emergency, medical team, storms, weather emergency
April 18, 2018
Collect Online Donations? This New Scam Targets You
Collect Online Donations? This New Scam Targets You

There’s a new scam in town, and ministries and other organizations collecting donations are the primary target. If your ministry collects tithes or donations, you could be targeted by scammers practicing donation overpayment fraud.

Tags: donations, finances, fraud, cyber security
February 21, 2018
Remembering Billy Graham
Remembering Billy Graham

Beloved evangelist Billy Graham was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at the age of 99.

Tags: Billy Graham
February 9, 2018
Flu Is Widespread: Protect Your Congregation
Flu Is Widespread: Protect Your Congregation

For the first time in its 13 years of influenza monitoring, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that every state in the continental U.S. is seeing widespread flu activity. Get tips on how to keep your congregation healthy this flu season.

Tags: health safety, risk, protect, health, flu