Very few people are concerned about insurance until we have to make a claim. However, it is essential for your church insurance cover to be designed for your requirements. This not only ensures your assets are protected, but also that your insurer understands your activities.

Having the right insurance cover that is fit for purpose can provide peace of mind for church leaders and helps to protect those in your church including staff, volunteers, and the wider congregation.

What type of cover do I need?

There are specialist insurers who are experts in their sectors who can offer combined packages to provide a variety of materials damage and liability options, including sector-specific specialist covers for places of worship and connected faith-based organisations.

Core covers can include:

• Public liability and products liability: Covers accidents or injuries to the public caused by your business or its products.
• Employers’ liability: Protects against claims from employees who are injured or become ill due to their work.
• Legal expenses: Covers the costs of legal advice and representation in case of disputes.
• Group personal accident:  Provides financial support to staff or members in case of accidental injury.
• Trustee, Directors, or Officers liability: Protects directors or trustees from claims related to their decisions and actions in their role.
• Material damage: Covers the cost of repairs or replacements if your property is damaged.

Are your risk assessments and policies protecting you – or leaving you exposed?

Good risk assessments are a key part of ensuring your organisation is operating safely and can make a huge difference when submitting an insurance claim. Similarly, your organisation’s Health and Safety policy can play a part in any insurance claims you make.

For instance, if a church volunteer climbs a ladder to adjust a projector, or change a lightbulb, they are technically working at height so need to have received appropriate training and safety instruction. For insurance purposes, volunteers are classed as employees.

Checking these policies is the first step of a claim, so it is important to keep yours updated and relevant.

How much would it cost us to rebuild?

Another important consideration is when you last had a rebuilding valuation carried out on your building. For instance, is the sum insured still enough to cover the cost of site clearance, rebuilding, plus other costs such as legal and planning?

Most policies include an underinsurance clause which means that only some of the costs may be covered if the sum insured is less than the true cost. This can prove very costly in the event of a claim.

Is your insurance cover keeping up with rising legal costs and new risks?

You should consider whether your indemnity limits are still adequate, as claims settlements and legal costs are always increasing.

Dependent on your requirements, you will usually find optional covers like:

• Cyber.
• Loss recovery.
• Employment practices liability.
• Care and treatment included under Public Liability.
• Subsidence cover for buildings.

What equipment do we have and how much is it worth?

It is useful to be aware of your equipment inventory. Do you have an up-to-date record of your equipment?

Maybe you have bought or been given new equipment or disposed of some since you last reviewed your policy.

Most insurance policies are written on a ‘new for old’ basis so the sum insured should reflect the figure needed to replace everything as new.

Are your church events properly insured and compliant?

Finally, when planning church events, it is crucial to know what your insurance cover allows.

Some activities will need special licenses, and if you are using any third-party organisers such as a caterer or inflatables company, you will need to ensure they have adequate insurance cover and agree responsibilities between you.

If you are using any professional caterers at your event, you should check they are registered under the Food Safety Act and with their Local Authority Environmental Health Department and ensure that they are health and safety compliant.

We can help

Kingdom Bank’s specialist insurance brokers are here to help. As an experienced broker with a deep understanding of the specific needs of churches and charities, we’re able to support you with expert advice on the cover you need to protect your organisation and those you serve.

But we’re more than just insurance brokers: we’re committed to helping churches grow. By arranging your insurance through us, you’ll become a partner in that mission by investing in Kingdom ministry across the country.

If you would like to discuss your specific requirements, we would be delighted to chat to you. Get in touch with our friendly insurance team today on 0115 921 7270 or via the ‘Get in touch’ form at the bottom of this page.