If you are in charge of managing a church or any other religious organization, you will want financial protection from many risks. An employee might be accused of abusing a member. Members might also file a claim against you for negligence or violation of good faith. Start a church or religious organization safely by getting adequate coverage. In this article, we will discuss the insurance policies you will want to include in your own customized church and religious organization insurance policy.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $300,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | No | Can be included | Can be included |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
| Can you get a certificate of insurance online? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
A general liability policy can be essential to your religious organization insurance. This policy protects you from various third-party liability claims from incidents involving injury and property. Some examples of when to use this policy include:
A congregation member slips and falls in the comfort room
A member of your religious organization is sued for slandering a member of the general public during a religious service
Your religious organization can customize its insurance policy further through the use of policy add-ons that include:
Participant accident insurance–Covers members of your congregation if they participate in a group-sponsored event and get accidentally injured or experience an accidental death
Tools and equipment insurance–Provides financial protection for business tools and equipment in cases where they get damaged or stolen
This type of church liability insurance will have a $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limit.
No, religious organizations and other non-profits are not required to purchase business general liability insurance. However, if your religious organization ever plans to form contracts with clients or hire other businesses for services, they may require that you have adequate general liability coverage.
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
| HIPAA coverage included? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sexual misconduct coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
| License defense coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $50/$10,000 | $500 |
Errors and omissions insurance for religious organizations covers situations where you or your staff members offer bad advice, negligence, or make mistakes that cause a lawsuit to be threatened against your organization. Some coverages include:
A member of your congregation commits misrepresentation against a third party
One of your staff leaders fails to perform an official duty, which causes him to get sued for negligence
Extended reporting period–This gives you more time to file claims beyond your initial errors and omissions policy timeframe
Excess liability–Adds additional coverage beyond the normal coverage limit for an existing eros and omissions insurance policy for your religious organization
The errors and omissions insurance for your religious organization will have a coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $1 million in aggregate. Higher limits are available depending on the insurer.
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| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $260,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $22,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/10,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Included | Excluded |
Your religious institution insurance will no doubt require a commercial property insurance policy to become comprehensive. This helps you get your religious building repaired when damage is done to it. Examples of this coverage include:
A fire engulfs your building, and you must repair structural damage before you can serve your congregation
A thief breaks into your building and steals some equipment
Flood insurance–In places where floods are common, you may need to purchase an additional add-on to cover flood water damage.
Earthquake insurance–Nowadays, many policies will exclude earthquake damage to business property. You will want to purchase earthquake insurance if you feel that the area of your religious building is at risk of an earthquake
The coverage limits for this type of church buildings insurance generally will be around $50,000 for the building and $50,000 for the contents. However, actual coverage limits will depend on the value of your business property.
| CoverWallet | Thimble (Best) | NEXT | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $300,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $500,000 | $260,000 | $25,000 | $75,000 |
| Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A business owner’s policy combines different policies together. It will bundle the coverage of general liability and commercial property insurance into one cohesive policy. Example situations where you can use this type of religious organization and church insurance include:
Someone trips over sound equipment in your religious organization and needs to receive expensive medical treatment for their injuries
A windstorm causes severe damage to the facade of the building of your religious organization
Equipment breakdown–This can help you replace equipment for your religious organization when it breaks down from power surges, power outages, and mechanical processes
Cyber liability–If your religious organization operates on the internet, it can be exposed to data breaches that will result in financial losses. This insurance would cover lawsuits, customer notification, data recovery, cyber ransom, and other related costs
A business owner’s policy for religious organizations will have around $1 million in general liability coverage and between $20,000 and $50,000 of coverage for business property
Yes, even after you purchase your policy, you can make changes through your insurer. You can adjust the coverage amount up to a certain limit, and you can add on extra policies that you originally didn't purchase. Some insurers will also let you adjust the time frame of your policy.
| NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limit | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $15,000/$25,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | No | Yes |
| Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 | $0 |
Tools and equipment insurance for religious organizations protect the tools that you use as part of religious services and any equipment you rely on. Some examples include:
The lights of your pulpit got damaged by accident and need to be replaced
You bring some sound equipment on a religious trip, which is damaged from a sudden drop
Water and flood damage–Protects the equipment your religious organization needs to deliver great services from water damage resulting from floods
Business interruption–Helps cover the costs of lost income to your business resulting from your tools or equipment not functioning
The coverage limits of the tools and equipment policy included in church insurance programs will range between $5,000 and $10,000.
Commercial auto insurance is a policy that protects vehicles used in service of your religious organization. They get protected from liability claims and costs to repair any damage. Example situations include:
A van goes to pick up a member but gets into an accident with another vehicle along the way
Someone vandalizes the commercial vehicle while it is performing services for you
Your religious organization's commercial auto insurance will be made up of several components, which include:
Auto liability–Covers the cost of medical treatment on behalf of third parties in case your religious organization’s commercial vehicle causes an accident
Collision–Covers vehicle repair costs caused if your religious organization’s vehicle gets damaged due to a vehicular accident
Comprehensive–Covers repair costs if your commercial vehicle is damaged by fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils
Roadside assistance–This covers the cost of tire delivery, gas delivery, towing, and other related services
New vehicle replacement–In the event of a total loss, this add-on will help you get a new commercial vehicle. Coverage applies if the commercial vehicle covered is less than three years old
The commercial property policy of your small church insurance program offers a limit of $25,000 per person injured, $50,000 for all people injured, and $25,000 for all property damage in an accident.
Excess liability insurance extends the limits of the primary policy where it’s endorsed. For example, suppose you endorse excess liability insurance to a $1 million general liability insurance. In that case, excess liability insurance can:
Provide further coverage if the general liability policy is exhausted
Cover any remaining costs in case the general liability policy can’t fully cover a claim
Typically, excess liability insurance will provide $1 million-$5 million, but these limits can go as high as $25 million or more.
Workers' compensation insurance pays benefits to employees who get injured while performing their duties. Examples include:
A member of your staff develops a chronic neck issue from helping collect donations from the congregation
An employee is installing a piece of equipment on the stage but suffers a terrible accident that disables his leg
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability insurance | $35 | $420 | $0-$500 |
| Professional liability insurance | $37 | $444 | $500-$1,000 |
| Commercial property insurance | $55 | $660 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Business owner’s policy | $80 | $960 | $1,500 |
| Commercial auto insurance | $64 | $768 | $500-$1,000 |
| Tools and equipment insurance | $43 | $516 | $500-$1,000 |
| Workers compensation insurance | $78 | $936 | $2,000-$5,000 |
The average religious organization insurance cost is $35 per month or $420 per year for a $1 million general liability policy. Factors that affect the cost of premiums are claims history, business history, policy limits, deductibles, location, number of employees, and revenues. Here’s a table showing the cost of a $1 million general liability insurance from the best church insurance providers:
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT | $22 | $264 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for religious organizations and churches |
| The Hartford | $24 | $288 | Workers compensation insurance for religious organizations |
| CoverWallet | $26 | $312 | Comparing religious organization and church insurance quotes online |
| Tivly | $27 | $324 | Comparing religious organization insurance quotes and policies at scale |
| Thimble | $29 | $348 | On-demand coverage for religious organizations |
| Hiscox | $31 | $372 | Business insurance for religious organizations and churches that renews automatically |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Finding that one church insurance company that provides the best coverage might be hard. And so, here are some carriers you might want to consider. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average rate for a $1 million general liability insurance.
Best overall
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Fastest general liability insurance for churches and religious organizations
Great customer service and reputation
Excellent rates
Outstanding value for money
Get a 10% discount if you buy two or more policies
Couldn’t find any
NEXT offers the best overall religious institution insurance options that you need. You get affordable policies that save you more money as you bundle two or more. NEXT has an A- rating with AM Best for its financial security.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for religious organizations and churches
Average cost: $22 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Reliable company that has been in business for over 200 years
Excellent user experience
Renowned company for workers compensation insurance
Limited add-ons to general liability insurance
The Hartford is a long-standing insurer that is a staple in the insurance industry. They offer options for religious associations and nonprofit organizations like general liability, commercial property, and more.
Best for: Workers compensation insurance for religious organizations
Average cost: $24 per month
Our rating: 10/10
HNOA coverage automatically included in general liability insurance
Provides support for bundling policies
Compare quotes online
Not an insurance company but an insurance broker
CoverWallet offers insurance options for religious organizations from top carriers. They have a page dedicated to commercial property insurance that helps you get protected through commercial property and general liability policies. The company also provides protection from perils like cash embezzlements and robbery
Best for: Comparing religious organization and church insurance quotes online
Average cost: $26 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Flexible religious organization policy options through their partners
Solution-centric approach to insurance means you are getting policies that greatly benefit you
Compare quotes over the phone
You need to talk with a representative to get a quote
Tivly is a digital platform for your religious organization insurance needs. They are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and help you navigate its many partners to get the perfect religious institution insurance care. Call now to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing religious organization insurance quotes and policies at scale
Average cost: $27 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Quikly issues an estimate of your rates
Sells general liability insurance as a short-term policy
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
You can’t reach customer service by calling
Thimble helps your religious organization get covered with policies like general liability, professional liability, and workers compensation. You want to go with Thimble if you want a flexible coverage time and want to get your policy up and running quickly.
Best for: On-demand coverage for religious organizations
Average cost: $29 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Great general liability coverage
Vast underwriting experience
Worldwide coverage
14-day money-back guarantee
Online quoting might not be available all the time due to periodic site maintenance
Hiscox has the typical policies you will want for your religious organization, but also includes special protection for houses of worship. They cover losses of revenue, legal liabilities, and things like increased security. AM Best rates Hisox an A for financial stability.
Best for: Business insurance for religious organizations and churches that renews automatically
Average cost: $31 per month
Our rating: 10/10
1 / 5
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
1 / 5
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
1 / 5
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
5 / 5
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
5 / 5
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
Not all those who wander are lost.
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