Church Insurance in Maine

Church insurance in Maine is shaped by an unusual rule: a charity’s liability is tied directly to the insurance it buys. Add long winters, coastal storms and many churches built in the 1800s, and Maine congregations have specific reasons to review their limits carefully. Integrity Now Insurance Brokers is an independent broker. We compare Maine church insurance from several carriers for churches from Portland and Bangor to the Midcoast, Down East and the County.

Request a Maine church insurance quote.

Maine Charitable Immunity: Your Policy Limits Matter More Than You Think

Maine still recognizes charitable immunity, but under 14 M.R.S. § 158 a charitable organization is considered to have waived that immunity while it has liability insurance in force. In general, damages can’t exceed the policy limits, and courts reduce verdicts above them. That doesn’t mean a church should carry low limits. A 2023 law, § 158-C, changed the rules for the most serious claims:

• A charity isn’t immune from claims of negligent hiring, supervision or retention connected to sexual assault or exploitation of a minor.
• A charity isn’t immune from intentional torts.
• For those claims, the amount of insurance doesn’t cap the damages.

Dedicated abuse and molestation coverage with meaningful limits is essential for any Maine church with children’s or youth ministry.

What Dupuis (2025) Means for Old Abuse Claims

In 2021 the Legislature tried to revive child sexual abuse claims that had already expired. In January 2025 the Maine Supreme Judicial Court held that revival unconstitutional in Dupuis v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland, 2025 ME 6. Claims that were already time-barred stay barred. Maine eliminated the limitations period for these claims going forward in 2000, though, so claims not yet barred at that point can still be filed at any time. Keep every past liability policy; an older claim is usually covered by the policy in force when the abuse occurred. This is general information, not legal advice.

Snow, Ice and Older Wood-Frame Churches

Snow load and ice dams

Maine winters bring roof collapse risk and ice-dam leaks into sanctuaries and fellowship halls. Confirm collapse from snow and ice is covered and review water-damage limits.

Historic replacement cost

White clapboard churches with steeples and original windows are expensive to rebuild. Insure to replacement cost, add ordinance or law coverage, and decide whether functional replacement makes sense. See church property insurance.

Nor’easters and coastal churches

Review wind deductibles and buy separate flood coverage for low-lying coastal and river properties.

Heating systems

Oil boilers and wood stoves call for equipment breakdown coverage and a fire-safety review.

Workers’ Comp for Maine Churches

Maine requires workers’ compensation from the first employee, with narrow exemptions, according to the Maine Bureau of Insurance employer guide. Corporate officers need a waiver approved by the Workers’ Compensation Board to be excluded. If a church can’t get coverage in the regular market, Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC) is required to provide it. This is general information, not legal advice.

Other Maine Church Insurance Coverage

• General liability, plus an umbrella.
• Directors and officers and employment practices.
• Commercial auto for winter driving to services and missions.
• Crime coverage for offerings and online giving.

See every option on our church insurance coverage page.

Nonprofit Insurance in Maine: Volunteer Immunity and the Driving Exception

Maine extends protection to the people who run nonprofits. Under 14 M.R.S. § 158-A, directors, officers and volunteers of charitable organizations are generally immune from civil liability for personal injury, death or property damage arising from their service, subject to the statute’s conditions. The major exception is driving. When a claim arises from a director’s, officer’s or volunteer’s operation of a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft, the immunity is waived to the extent of insurance. Damages can’t exceed the combined limits of applicable policies, not counting umbrella coverage.

For a Maine food pantry, land trust, school, camp or community organization, that makes auto coverage the key policy for volunteers:

• Hired and non-owned auto for volunteers who drive their own cars for deliveries, trips and errands. Primary auto limits matter because umbrella limits don’t count under § 158-A.
• D&O for governance and employment decisions.
• Abuse coverage for youth programs, given the 2023 § 158-C changes.
• Workers’ comp as soon as the nonprofit hires its first employee.

See our nonprofit insurance page.

Why Maine Churches Work With Integrity Now

We’ve served more than 500 congregations since 2012. Our owner, Kevin Edwards, is a licensed agent and active Youth Pastor. We don’t charge broker fees; carriers pay our commission. We compare several church insurers so a historic building and a small rural congregation are both insured properly. See typical church insurance costs, then start your quote.

Maine Church Insurance FAQs

How does charitable immunity work for Maine churches?

Under 14 M.R.S. § 158, a charitable organization waives its immunity while it has liability insurance, and damages generally can't exceed the policy limits. A 2023 law removed immunity and the insurance cap for negligent hiring or supervision claims tied to sexual abuse of a minor and for intentional torts.

Can old child abuse claims still be filed against Maine churches?

In Dupuis (2025), the Maine Supreme Judicial Court held that claims already time-barred can't be revived. Maine removed the limitations period going forward in 2000, so claims not yet barred at that point can still be filed.

When does a Maine church need workers' compensation?

Maine requires workers' compensation from the first employee, with narrow exemptions. Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company provides coverage to employers who can't get it in the regular market.

How should we insure an older Maine church building?

Insure to replacement cost, add ordinance or law coverage for code upgrades, confirm snow and ice collapse coverage, and add equipment breakdown for heating systems.

Are Maine nonprofit volunteers liable for car accidents?

Under 14 M.R.S. § 158-A, directors, officers and volunteers are generally immune, but that immunity is waived to the extent of insurance for claims arising from operating a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft. Damages are capped at the combined limits of applicable policies other than umbrella coverage.