Your first consideration when insuring your property is the ability to continue ministering with minimal disruption — even in the event of a loss. That’s why most churches start with Commercial and Personal Property Coverages. But to ensure “ministry as usual,” you’ll likely need additional coverages.

Below is a list of some typical coverages that churches purchase to achieve adequate protection for their ministry. Remember, though, one size doesn’t fit all. The coverages you select will depend on your specific needs. Your GuideStone P&C agent can help you evaluate your ministry to identify coverage gaps and determine the levels of coverage that are right for you.

Abuse and molestation
Child abuse claims don’t have to be true to negatively affect a church or ministry organization. Even the accusation of wrongdoing can ruin your reputation within the community and create a financial burden for your church and the accused.

With individual claims running as high as $5 million, it’s important to have coverage in place before the need arises. Even if it never made it to court, one such claim — whether it’s true or not — could financially ruin a church.

Directors and Officers
At its most basic, Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance protects your staff from liability that could arise from their regular ministerial duties.

For example, your pastor may provide counseling for couples whose marriages are on the rocks. What if a couple ends up divorced and decides to sue the pastor for giving them poor advice? A D&O policy would provide coverage for the pastor’s defense costs.

Crime
We like to think that ministries are immune to the threats experienced by the secular world. But that’s no longer true. In recent years, churches have been victims of burglary and theft, as well as hate crimes, petty crimes and identity theft.

Crime coverage can help you feel confident that no matter what happens, your ministry’s financial well-being is protected.

Equipment breakdown
What would you do if your sound system or light board broke down? Could you afford to replace them?

Equipment breakdown coverage pays for covered losses to property resulting from a sudden and accidental breakdown. An equipment breakdown policy typically covers computers, telephone systems and other office equipment; sound, lighting and video equipment; air-conditioning motors and compressors; steam boilers and much more.

Umbrella
Umbrella coverage provides protection over and above other liability coverages you may have purchased. So when the liability limits of existing policies are exhausted, additional coverage may be provided by an umbrella policy.

You’ll want to talk with your GuideStone P&C agent to get guidance on the levels of coverage that might be right for your ministry.