Church Insurance in Virginia
Virginia churches include colonial-era parishes, Hampton Roads congregations exposed to hurricanes and flooding, fast-growing Northern Virginia churches and rural churches in the Shenandoah Valley and Southwest Virginia. Virginia is also one of the few states that still recognizes a meaningful form of charitable immunity, which affects how churches think about liability.
Virginia Church Coverage
- Church property insurance at replacement cost, with ordinance or law coverage for historic buildings.
- General liability for worship, schools, daycares and rentals.
- Abuse and molestation insurance, especially important because negligent hiring claims are not barred.
- D&O insurance for vestries, boards and employment decisions.
- Church auto insurance for buses and vans.
Virginia Coastal, Storm and Historic-Building Risks
Churches in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore face hurricanes, nor’easters and tidal flooding, and flood is excluded from standard property policies. Inland churches deal with severe storms, winter freeze and occasional earthquakes, like the 2011 Mineral earthquake that damaged buildings across the region. Historic churches need accurate replacement values and code-upgrade coverage.
Virginia Workers’ Compensation for Churches
Virginia generally requires workers’ compensation for employers with more than two part-time or full-time employees, and the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission administers the law. This is general information, not legal advice.
Virginia Charitable Immunity and Its Limits
Virginia courts recognize a limited charitable immunity: a qualifying charity is generally not liable to its beneficiaries for ordinary negligence of its employees and agents, as long as it used due care in selecting and retaining them. Volunteers engaged in the charity’s work can share that immunity as to beneficiaries, as the Supreme Court of Virginia held in Moore v. Warren (1995). The immunity does not protect against claims by people who are not beneficiaries, claims of gross negligence or willful and wanton conduct, or claims of negligent hiring and retention, which the court allowed against a church in J. v. Victory Tabernacle Baptist Church (1988).
Because the doctrine is limited and fact-dependent, Virginia churches still need full liability, abuse and D&O coverage, and careful screening of staff and volunteers. Virginia Code § 13.1-870.1 also limits damages against officers and directors of nonprofits in some cases. More on our nonprofit insurance page. This is general information, not legal advice.
Working With Church Property Insurance on Your Virginia 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.
Virginia Church Insurance FAQs
Does Virginia charitable immunity protect churches?
Partly. A qualifying charity is generally not liable to beneficiaries for ordinary negligence if it used due care in hiring and retaining staff, but not for gross negligence, claims by non-beneficiaries or negligent hiring.
Can a Virginia church be sued for negligent hiring?
Yes. The Supreme Court of Virginia allowed negligent hiring claims against a church in J. v. Victory Tabernacle Baptist Church.
When does a Virginia church need workers comp?
Virginia generally requires workers compensation for employers with more than two part-time or full-time employees.
Are Virginia church volunteers protected?
Volunteers engaged in the charity work can share charitable immunity as to beneficiaries, as held in Moore v. Warren (1995).
Do Hampton Roads churches need flood insurance?
Often yes, because standard property policies exclude flood and tidal surge.