Have you ever considered whether you need liability insurance for a church? A church represents more than just a piece of property. It is a place for prayer, community, worship, and more. All of this being said, the activities and services that the church offers can expose the structure to different kinds of insurance needs. These services present an immediate need for liability insurance in order to negate risks. If you are in the area and are looking for an insurance agency to represent your ministry, look no further than Ebensburg Insurance.
What Kind of Insurance is Best for Churches?
The answer to this question can change depending on the property and the activities/ministries that are held there. However, a solid place to start is with property and liability insurance. This should include coverage for the property and operations that occur there. For a lot of churches, an umbrella insurance policy might be the best way to get the coverage you need. This policy can provide additional liability coverage. On top of that, it is mandatory for all employees of the congregation to be offered worker's compensation insurance. This should already be a part of a church’s insurance plan.
What is Umbrella Insurance?
Umbrella Insurance provides further limits over just regular liability insurance. This type of insurance usually comes up when someone is asking how much coverage they need. There is not a definitive answer to this question, but you can add more layers to your insurance by making your policy an “umbrella” policy that adds things to your risk management efforts.
Property Insurance for a Church
Under your property insurance, the building and any contents owned by the church should be covered. This includes items that are permanently attached, such as any pews or organs that are built-in to the property. This means that portable instruments, choir robes, contents of offices, etc. are not included in property insurance and are instead treated as personal property. That being said, you can total the value of all of the items (including the building) and choose a “blanket” policy instead that covers all property on the premises. When choosing this option, it is important to figure out if there are any items that are rare or irreplaceable. You should talk to your insurance agent about these to see if they require special coverage to be protected. Once you establish your property limits, you can make your property insurance plan as expansive as you want it to be. You can even include fire and natural disaster protection, along with theft and vandalism.
Liability Insurance for a Church
All churches can be victims of a lawsuit by members, visitors, or anyone that is using the church at any given time. If you opt for general liability insurance, it can respond to claims from people that are injured or damage that is sustained on the property or at other church activities. Usually, this type of insurance can address litigation costs that come as a result of any of these activities. Don’t fall into the dangerous mindset that nothing will ever happen at your church or there wouldn’t be someone to file a claim against the property. In reality, accidents and other things happen all of the time. People slip and fall, people trip, things happen. As a church, you need to be able to protect your members and their families.
Auto Insurance for a Church
If your church owns any vehicles as an organization, then you also need auto insurance. In most states, including Pennsylvania, this type of coverage is mandatory. Even if someone is using one of the vehicles for a personal endeavor, you still need coverage. If an employee is acting on behalf of the congregation, the church could then be involved in litigation where it requires auto coverage.
Professional Liability Insurance for a Church
Professional liability insurance provides financial protections to the church against any claims of negligence, misrepresentation, or inaccurate advice. This is important for churches because they are exposed to a lot of situations where professional liability may be needed. This can include any directors and officers. It is designed to respond to allegations or wrongful acts by the governing board. This can also include counseling services given by a pastor. If your church is providing advice or guidance in any way, professional liability insurance could be very beneficial to you and your organization.
Contact Us Today with Questions or for Coverage
We know that insurance can be a complicated thing to check off of the to-do list. That is why we are here to help those in our area and community. We want you to and your organizations to be covered. If you have any questions about insurance coverage for a church or other religious institution, the team at Ebensburg Insurance is here to help and inform. Contact us today at 814-472-9557 with any further questions or if you are interested in coverage!
