Church Property Insurance – Be prepared for premium increases
I recently returned from a meeting with other conference treasurers, and we heard from an insurance expert who works with churches. His report caught my attention. Property claims have increased dramatically due to fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, hail storms and so on. As a result, insurers are taking significant steps to manage their risk.
· Be prepared for your property insurance to increase more than usual when
your policy is renewed.
· Don’t be surprised if your insurance company does not offer a renewal at any price.
· Be sure to purchase sufficient liability coverage. You may rarely or never make
a claim under your liability policy. If you do, it’s likely to be significant.
As always, keep this guidance in mind. Secure insurance from insurance companies that specialize in churches and church ministries. Work only with agents and representatives who work exclusively with churches or at a minimum have many church clients. These two practices will serve your church well.
The three insurance solutions most commonly recommended to West Ohio churches are:
· Brotherhood Mutual Insurance
٭If you are currently with United Methodist Insurance, you have received a letter requesting you complete a broker of record letter if you wish to remain in the UMPIP program. If you don’t complete the letter, you will remain with Suracy Faith, a firm no longer affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Unsure what coverage your church should have? Click here to read about UMC minimum insurance requirements.
Written by Bill Brownson, CFO for the West Ohio Conference