Church Insurance in Ohio

Church insurance in Ohio works differently from most states in one important way: you can’t buy workers’ compensation from an insurance company. It comes from the state. That one difference creates a coverage gap many Ohio churches don’t know they have. Integrity Now Insurance Brokers is an independent broker. We put together Ohio church insurance that coordinates with the state system and covers everything else from Cleveland and Columbus to Cincinnati, Toledo and small-town Ohio.

Request an Ohio church insurance quote.

Workers’ Comp for Ohio Churches: The BWC and the Stop-Gap Gap

Ohio is a monopolistic state. Employers with one or more employees, full- or part-time, must get workers’ compensation through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), and private carriers can’t sell it. Very large employers may qualify to self-insure, but a church applies directly to the BWC.

Here’s the gap. The state fund pays statutory workers’ comp benefits but doesn’t include employer’s liability. That’s the coverage that responds when an injured employee, or a third party, sues the employer over a workplace injury. Ohio churches close that gap with stop-gap employer’s liability, which we can add to your church’s general liability or package policy. We check for it on every Ohio quote. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your BWC obligations directly with the Bureau.

Ohio Weather and Building Risks

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms

Wind, hail and tornado damage are a recurring source of Ohio church claims. Review your wind and hail deductible and confirm that business income covers the time you’d meet in another location.

Snow, ice and freeze

Lake-effect snow in Northeast Ohio and hard freezes statewide lead to roof collapse, ice dams and burst pipes in buildings that sit empty midweek. Confirm water-damage coverage and add equipment breakdown for boilers and HVAC.

Older urban churches

Many Ohio congregations worship in large, older masonry buildings. Ordinance or law coverage pays for code upgrades after a loss. Insuring to current replacement cost avoids a shortfall when you rebuild. See church property insurance.

Ohio Church Insurance Coverage

• General liability, with stop-gap employer’s liability added.
• Abuse and molestation coverage for any ministry serving minors.
• Directors and officers and employment practices liability.
• Pastoral counseling liability for negligence claims arising from counseling (criminal acts are excluded).
• Commercial auto and hired and non-owned auto.
• Crime coverage and an umbrella policy.

See the full list on our church insurance coverage page.

Nonprofit Liability Insurance in Ohio: What ORC 2305.38 Covers

Ohio protects nonprofit volunteers under Ohio Revised Code 2305.38. An uncompensated officer, trustee or other volunteer of a charitable nonprofit is generally not liable for injuries caused by the actions of the organization’s other officers, employees, trustees or volunteers. The protection is lost in certain cases, such as when the volunteer authorized, approved or actively participated in the conduct. Reimbursed expenses don’t count as compensation. The statute expressly doesn’t change the organization’s own liability.

So an Ohio food bank, after-school program, Christian school or community development nonprofit still needs:

• General liability and D&O for the organization.
• Coverage for the volunteer’s own acts, which the statute doesn’t fully shield.
• BWC coverage as soon as there’s a paid employee, plus stop-gap employer’s liability.

Nonprofit liability insurance in Ohio is part of our nonprofit insurance program.

Why Ohio 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. Because we compare several church insurers, we can find a carrier that writes stop-gap coverage cleanly alongside your BWC policy. Check typical church insurance costs, then start your quote.

Ohio Church Insurance FAQs

Where do Ohio churches get workers' compensation?

From the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Ohio is a monopolistic state, so employers with one or more employees must get coverage from the state fund. Private insurers can't sell it.

What is stop-gap coverage and does our Ohio church need it?

Stop-gap employer's liability covers lawsuits against the employer over workplace injuries, which the Ohio state fund doesn't include. Most Ohio churches with employees should add it to their liability or package policy.

Does church insurance in Ohio cover snow-load collapse?

Most church property policies cover collapse from the weight of snow and ice, but terms vary. Confirm it, and review water-damage and equipment breakdown coverage for winter losses.

Are volunteers of an Ohio nonprofit protected from lawsuits?

Under ORC 2305.38, uncompensated volunteers of charitable nonprofits are generally not liable for the actions of others in the organization, with exceptions. The statute doesn't change the organization's own liability.

Can an Ohio church get pastoral counseling coverage?

Yes. Pastoral counseling liability covers negligence claims arising from counseling by pastors and staff. Criminal acts are excluded, and abuse claims are handled under separate abuse and molestation coverage.