Church Insurance Can Keep Your Congregation Covered!

With all the recent news stories involving vandalism and property damage to many churches or faith-based institutions, you may want to consider the many benefits of purchasing church insurance. Unlike homeowner’s coverage, insurance for churches is special in that it offers property and liability protection including equipment breakdown, indirect loss, and even stained glass windows. Owner Roger Harkins of Tri-Star Insurance Professionals Inc. is adept at working with churches in the North Dallas, Plano and Frisco area to ensure maximum protection.

In many aspects, insurance for churches differs from property insurance in that there is several specialized packages to choose from that serve the specific needs of religious organizations. In the past, any coverage needed was pretty simple, such as protecting the building from fire or weather damage. However, with the invention of high-tech sound, lighting, and office equipment, modern liabilities must be taken into consideration. Slight mishaps can be expensive, but major incidents may jeopardize an organization’s existence. Insurance for churches can provide protection from the uncertainties of day-to-day operation.

Most general insurance policies incorporate some sort of property coverage such as structural damage or theft. As churches face different challenges, property insurance for churches include non-standard items such as:

• Signs
• Fences
• Building and contents
• Pastor’s personal property
• Off-premise property
• Equipment – computers, boilers, electrical equipment

When contemplating church insurance you may also choose to add the following endorsements to your policy for greater asset protection:

• Crime coverage – covers losses in the event of theft, employee dishonesty, and forgery
• Inland Marine – covers property that is moved from one place to another, as well as chattels of great value such as artwork or structural embellishments

The other main type of church insurance to consider comes in the form of liability coverage. A general liability package protects the church against claims of bodily injury that occurred while on the premises or during operations for which the church may be legally responsible such as:

• Daycare facilities
• Camps
• Auto and physical damage
• Personal or advertising offenses such as libel or slander and pastoral counseling
• Worker's compensation

Coverage for medical expenses is sometimes included regardless of fault. A wide variety of other optional liability coverage may include:

• Employment practices
• Sexual misconduct
• Employee benefits such as life, retirement, and disability
• Hired autos such as vans, buses, or cars

There are certain safety measures that can be implemented to minimize the risks of running a religious organization such as:

• Qualified supervision for church activities including any sports or overnight trips
• Established safety standards
• In-depth screening of church personnel
• Disaster preparedness
• Regular building inspection
• Maintain a safe and secure environment

With the unique insurance requirements faced by churches versus other institutions, Tri-Star’s knowledgeable staff can help you determine the right amount of coverage needed to protect your place of worship. To learn more contact Tri-Star Insurance Professionals today at www.tristarinsurancepros.com or call 214-387-0600 or toll-free at 1-800-880-4600 and talk to an agent about the specific needs of your church organization. Keep your ministry safe!