Protecting your ministry with proper church insurance is the most important thing you will do as a church leader.
While your primary focus is rightly on your congregation’s spiritual and physical well-being, it is important to carry the appropriate amount and type of insurance that is tailored to your specific ministry.
We're here to demystify the subject. Since we covered the basics of insurance in a previous post, we’re going to talk about how and why it is important to find a capable and trustworthy insurance agent.
A good agent is one who is knowledgeable of the inner workings of church leadership as well as the common pitfalls and advantages of certain types of policies.
Here are some steps to take when evaluating a church insurance agent, from our partners at Brotherhood Mutual:
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Have the agent establish his or her credentials as one who specializes in church insurance. A church specialist represents a church specialty insurance company and insures numerous churches.
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Don’t favor agents just because they reside in your community. Local agents may know your community, but they may not understand the special insurance needs of churches.
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Ask the agent what risk management services he or she offers that can help your ministry stay safe and reduce losses.
Once you’ve found a trustworthy agent, it’s time to choose an insurance company.
You see, an independent agent can offer policies from multiple different carriers. Its just as important to choose the right insurance carrier as it is to choose an agent.
Here are a few things to consider:
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Do they specialize in church insurance and are they knowledgeable about the ins and outs of ministry and denominational organization?
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Are they a financially-sound, well-credentialed company with a high rating with A.M. Best Company? (Shoot for an A-rating or higher)
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Do they have a stable history? Have they demonstrated a record of providing coverage for a long time and without dramatically increasing rates or cancelling clients?
Any insurance carrier can offer coverage, but it is important to make sure that carrier is familiar with and experienced in the unique dealings of churches and their various governing bodies. You'll want to make sure that your church's policy is comprehensive enough to protect your specific ministry goals.
It is for this reason that we have made it our mission to serve churches and religiously-affiliated organizations. We have worked with hundreds of them across nearly 30 years in business. Contact us today for a free consultation or a policy review.