Church Insurance in Rhode Island
Rhode Island churches sit close to the water almost everywhere in the state, and hurricanes and nor’easters are a real threat to coastal congregations in Newport, Warwick, Westerly and along Narragansett Bay. Many Providence-area churches are also historic buildings that are costly to repair.
Rhode Island Church Coverage
- Church property insurance with a clear understanding of hurricane deductibles.
- General liability for worship, schools, festivals and rentals.
- Abuse and molestation coverage for kids and youth.
- D&O insurance for boards and personnel decisions.
- Church auto insurance, since volunteer protection excludes vehicle claims.
Rhode Island Coastal and Historic-Building Risks
Many Rhode Island property policies include a hurricane or named-storm deductible, often a percentage of building value, so ask exactly how it works. Flood and storm surge are excluded from standard property policies, and churches near the coast should consider separate flood coverage. Historic churches need accurate replacement values and ordinance or law coverage.
Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation for Churches
Rhode Island generally requires employers with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation, and the Division of Workers’ Compensation in the Department of Labor and Training oversees compliance. This is general information, not legal advice.
Rhode Island Nonprofit Law: R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-6-9
R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-6-9, part of the Rhode Island Nonprofit Corporation Act, protects unpaid volunteers, directors, officers and trustees of nonprofits from personal liability for their conduct in those roles. The protection does not apply to malicious, willful or wanton misconduct, and it does not cover claims arising from a volunteer’s ownership or operation of a motor vehicle. A separate law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-48, addresses volunteers in youth sports programs.
These laws protect individuals, not the church, which can still be sued. Liability, abuse and D&O coverage are how the church carries that risk. Read more on our nonprofit insurance page. This is general information, not legal advice.
Working With Church Property Insurance on Your Rhode Island Policy
Church Property Insurance has helped congregations since 2012 and has worked with more than 500 churches nationwide. Kevin Edwards is a licensed insurance agent and an active youth pastor, so the questions we ask about your building, your ministries and your volunteers come from someone who serves in a church every week. We do not charge broker fees; we are paid by carrier commission, and any taxes or fees a state requires are shown on your quote. Turnaround depends on the carrier and on how complete your information is, so we will tell you what to expect when we start. Request a church insurance quote to begin.
Rhode Island Church Insurance FAQs
Do Rhode Island churches have hurricane deductibles?
Many do, often as a percentage of building value. Ask exactly how your hurricane or named-storm deductible works.
Are Rhode Island church volunteers protected?
R.I. Gen. Laws 7-6-9 protects unpaid volunteers, directors, officers and trustees except for malicious, willful or wanton misconduct and vehicle claims.
Is the church itself protected in Rhode Island?
No. The statute protects individuals, not the organization.
When does a Rhode Island church need workers comp?
Rhode Island generally requires workers compensation for employers with one or more employees.
Do Rhode Island churches need flood insurance?
Coastal churches often do, because standard policies exclude flood and storm surge.