We offer the following coverages designed specifically for churches.

"Risks of direct physical loss" except those excluded in the policy such as wear & tear, nuclear incidents, war, flood, etc.; or
Named perils including fire, lightning, explosion, sonic boom, windstorm or hail, smoke, vehicles and aircraft, riot or civil commotion, vandalism, sprinkler leakage, sinkhole collapse, volcanic action, glass breakage, falling objects, weight of ice, sleet or snow and water damage.

When replacement cost coverage is purchased, building limits are automatically increased based on the rate of inflation in the construction industry.

Losses to your building and contents adjusted on replacement cost basis without deduction for depreciation; or
Actual cash value

Includes bodily injury or property damage which you are legally liable for as a result of products you sell or distribute.

Includes bodily injury or property damage which you are legally liable for as a result of losses by contractors that you hired.

Blanket contractual liability

Includes libel, slander, false arrest, wrongful entry or eviction, misappropriation of advertising ideas and infringements of copyrights or trademarks.

$100,000

Automatically included if the pastor lives in the parsonage.

Automatically included if the church owns the cemetery and it is located adjacent to the church.

We offer these unique coverages for no additional charge. Higher limits may be available - contact an agent for more details.

Must be located within 1000 feet of your building
Antennas, Awnings & Canopies: $1000
Fences: $10,000
Signs: $10,000

10% of your building limit can be applied to appurtenant structures and utility buildings located on the described premises.

Up to $5000 for information that leads to the conviction of a person(s) involved in an arson at your property.

$15,000 for loss of money or securities resulting from a fraudulent or dishonest act by an employee.

Medical payments coverage for volunteers and athletes is excess over any other insurance.

$5000 per person for church sponsored trips out of the country. This coverage is excess over any other insurance.

$5000

$2500

$5000

$10,000

$2500

$10,000 on premises; $5000 off premises. The limits will be doubled for 48 hours prior to and following:

• Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday
• Thanksgiving - Thursday through Sunday
• Christmas Sunday through New Year's Sunday
• Maximum of 2 church stewardship services

Provides up to $2,000,000 coverage for up to 180 days for newly acquired buildings.

(Indiana & Illinois - refer to your agent for more details)
Coverage is extended to include non-owned or hired autos. Also includes:
$2000 per vehicle for loss of use or loss of rental income
$1000 per person/$10,000 aggregate for personal property that is stolen or destroyed
$1000 per occurrence/$3000 aggregate for property of others that is stolen or damaged

$100,000 for increased costs of construction due to an ordinance or law.

Included in the Building limit if located within 1000 feet of the building.

$5000 per person; $15,000 per occurrence

$25,000 per clergy member; $50,000 per occurrence

$5000

$50,000 including property in transit
$10,000 for property in a vehicle or at a fair or exhibition

$5000

$2500

$10,000

$2500

Up to 10% of the Business Personal Property limit, subject to a maximum of $20,000.

$500 per item/$5000 per occurrence

Up to $100,000 for lost Tuition Fees, for up to one year.
Up to $50,000 Extra Expense, for up to one year, to continue normal business operations.

$25,000

Up to $2500 per person for lost wages that are the result of a covered Medical Payments claim.

For property used on a church sponsored trip or activity that doesn't exceed 180 days:
$25,000 but not exceeding $2500 on any one item - for perils other than theft.
$2500 but not exceeding $500 for any one item for theft.

• Earthquake
• Stained Glass
• Mechanical, Electrical or Pressure Systems Breakdown - covers mechanical and electrical breakdown of covered electrical, mechanical or pressure systems equipment.
• Hired Auto Physical Damage
• Electronic Data Processing Equipment

• Sexual Acts Coverage
• Pastoral Counseling
• Directors and Officers
• Cemetery Liability

• Sprinklers
• Non-combustible construction
• Alarm systems
• Contents

• Do you keep a record of who has keys to the building or access to the security code? Are keys collected or codes changed when volunteers/employees leave?
• Do you have a security system?
• Are your entrances and parking lot well lighted?
• Do you lock office doors when not in use?
• Are cash, valuables, important documents locked in a safe?
• How do you secure other valuable property such as laptops, musical equipment, and electronic equipment?
• When groups are using the building, do you limit their access to the portion of the building that they are using?

• Traditional drop-side cribs cannot be made or sold; immobilizers and repair kits are not allowed.
• Wood slats must be made of stronger woods to prevent breakage.
• Crib hardware must have anti-loosening devices to keep it from coming loose or falling off.
• More durable mattress supports.
• More rigorous safety testing.

The details of these rules are on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr11/cribfinal.pdf

Child care facilities, family child care homes and places of public accommodation must replace their cribs with compliant cribs by December 28, 2012. If a church provides child care services for a fee, the cribs must comply with the new standards. For churches who charge no fee for child care, the regulations may not apply. Nevertheless, some experts suggest that all churches, regardless of their compensation and fee policies for child care, should comply with the new regulations.

When cribs are replaced, they should not be resold or donated to a thrift store or any other person or organization. The CPSC recommends disassembling the cribs so that they cannot be reassembled and used. Proper disposal also prevents the possibility of a civil lawsuit.

For more information see the Official Blog Site of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:
http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2011/06/the-new-crib-standard-questions-and-answers/

• Basics for Food Safety
• Cooking for Groups - a Volunteers Guide to Food Safety

• Check driving records - order Motor Vehicle reports to make sure that they don't have reckless driving/careless driving convictions, multiple convictions or even a DUI.
• Experience - it's important that drivers are experienced and can handle the type of vehicle that they are driving. Young, inexperienced drivers statistically have more accidents than mature, experienced drivers. The risk is even greater when they are driving an unfamiliar vehicle with many distractions in the vehicle. Establish a minimum and a maximum age for drivers.
• CDL - does your state require a CDL to drive a bus or larger van? Know your state requirements.

• Many churches own or rent 15 passenger vans for short term trips, youth activities, etc. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a Safety Alert for 15 passenger vans based on their rollover potential and involvement in serious accidents.
• In 10 years, between 1994 and 2004, these vans were involved in 1512 fatal crashes. In 2004 alone, 120 occupants died in crashes.
• 15 Passenger Van safety tips

• Does the member have insurance and a valid license?
• How well do you know the driver? Is he/she new to the congregation?
• Ask the member to provide a copy of their insurance ID card, license and a recent Motor Vehicle Report.
• Establish a minimum and a maximum age for drivers.

• Do all trip members have the appropriate vaccinations? Contact your family doctor for their recommendations.
• Have each trip member give copies of important documents, such as passports, credit cards, drivers licenses, airline tickets/boarding passes, vaccination records, etc to the church office or someone at home in case they are stolen or lost.
• Provide a small first aid kit for each member.
• Get a list of emergency contacts (name & phone numbers) for each trip member.
• Has each trip member signed a trip release form?
• Does each trip member have travel insurance?
• Have you discussed how to conceal valuables while traveling?

• Are your counseling procedures in writing and reviewed regularly with all your counselors?
• Do you have guidelines for:
  • Reporting child/elder abuse?
  • Confidentiality of information?
  • Compliance with state laws?
• Do you use consent forms?
• Do you have a network of other counselors for referrals that fall outside the scope of your expertise?
• Do you have guidelines for opposite sex counseling?
• Do you have a second adult present when counseling minors or members of the opposite sex to prevent allegations of sexual misconduct?
• Do you screen everybody that is providing counseling services?
• Where are counseling services provided?
  • Only on church premises?
  • While others are present in the building?
  • Is there a window in the counseling room?
• Are counselors careful not to use language or actions that could be considered intimidating, romantic or sexual?
• Do you have counseling guidelines for your youth ministry workers?

• Is your playground inspected regularly? Do you look for
  • Sharp objects, broken glass or other hazards that could injure children?
  • Worn equipment, broken/damaged equipment, sharp points, splintering wood?
  • Anchors that are secure?
• Are moving parts regularly checked and lubricated?
• Was the playground area designed and installed by professionals?
• Do you have supervision guidelines? Is the equipment age appropriate?
• Is it accessible to the public?
• Is it fenced?
• Is it installed on shock absorbing materials?
• Other resources:
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission Checklist
  • Playground hazards

• Does the organization have a good reputation in your community?
• Do you have a Facility Use form that each organization must complete prior to the rental being approved? Does the agreement require:
  • A minimum amount of required insurance? Their liability limit should be equal to or greater than your liability limit.
  • A Certificate of insurance must be provided?
  • A hold harmless agreement?
  • That your church is named as an additional insured on their insurance policy?
• Was your agreement reviewed by an attorney?
• Do you have a standard procedure to evaluate and review rentals?
• How will the organization be using the facility? Are they planning any high risk activities?

• Sample Policy
• Screening programs: www.reducingtherisk.com
• Sample Forms:
  • Children/Youth Workers Volunteer Application
  • Consent to Treat
  • Travel Permission Form
  • Accident/Allegation Reporting Form
  • Criminal Record Check
• Articles and resources:
  • Reducing The Risk
  • Stop it Now!
  • Darkness 2 Light