FAQs Regarding Church Insurance
If you are a church leader, you likely have a lot on your plate. First and foremost, you are responsible for the spiritual well-being of your congregation. But you are also probably responsible for keeping your church’s financial records in order, scheduling meetings, and making sure the building’s power stays on.
You also have to be vigilant to the potential for damages that can occur in and around your church property. There’s no way around it! Every church is at risk of having to deal with something that may require a lot of time and money to fix. A good church insurance policy can help the church avoid the downtime and stress that comes with needing a lot of money quickly.
Understanding the basics of church insurance is important for any church considering insurance coverage for religious organizations. While the insurance landscape is constantly changing, there are a few aspects of coverage that remain standard among every policy. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you learn more about church insurance.
Why the Need for Church Insurance?
Church Insurance is a financial tool that allows churches to mitigate the unpredictability of life. It also reduces financial risks from your day-to-day activities and also gives churches protection against unexpected losses and damages given the rise in natural disasters and crime. Church insurance can help organizations get the repairs done properly and without putting a strain on their church’s limited budget. Church Insurance is broken down into two main categories: Church Property Insurance and Church Liability Insurance.
What Types of Insurance Should a Church Consider Purchasing?
There are many types of insurance a church must have as part of its operations. Different church insurance products can protect members of the church, volunteers, and employees from any harm that might happen as part of their responsibilities for the church. Insurance policies can also protect the valuable assets of the religious institution. Examples of insurance that a church can buy include business personal property insurance, protection against natural disasters, liability insurance, umbrella insurance, church property insurance, and workers’ compensation. They can even get commercial auto insurance since a church may even have employees and volunteers who are driving church vehicles.
Is our Coffee Shop Covered by our Church Insurance?
Many larger churches now offer a full coffee bar at their local church building. If your church is offering coffee at no charge, there is no additional requirements needed from an insurance perspective. However, if your church charges for your coffee and donuts, then you will need to report the gross income to your church insurance company. The insurance company will include a small additional insurance premium based on the annual gross sales of the coffee shop.
Does Hosting Community Events at a Church Have an Impact on Church Insurance?
Hosting community events at a church can be a great way to build relationships with neighbors, provide a service for your community, and garner exposure for the congregation. All these church events are protected under the church’s general liability insurance policy. This helps protect a church’s property, facilities, and people for regular church events. Just to be extra safe, it is important to review the policy and ensure the proper coverage is provided to the church for all types of activities. It is important to reach out to your church insurance brokers, to ensure the event you are hosting will be covered by your church property insurance companies policy. For instance a skate part could be specifically excluded from coverage. While hosting a BBQ would not be an issue and would be covered automatically.
Get Comprehensive Insurance for Your Church
Church Insurance is something that church leadership tends to think about in the back of their minds at all times. They know they need to have it, but they don’t take the time to research what they need and how they can protect their church.
We at Integrity Now Insurance Brokers are at the forefront of helping churches make this critical decision. Our professional insurance agents help churches in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, and Washington get the best protection for their churches. Our comprehensive suite of services includes church property insurance, church liability insurance, ministry insurance, religious organization insurance, business auto insurance, religious expression coverage, and more.
Email us to get a quote today.