We got a call from a church leader this past week who sounded uneasy. Very uneasy. They didn't want to give us much, if any, of the information that we need to help them. And the one thing we were sure of is that they desperately needed our help securing new church insurance since they had been non-renewed and were close to their policy end date.
Another insurance agent they reached out to had asked them to sign a disclosure form before doing anything else. The form said the church would only work with that one agency to find a new policy. This made Yesenia uneasy.
She had not given them much more than the name of their church and contact info. She had not seen the agent's credentials. She had not seen a single coverage option yet. No quotes. No plan comparisons. Just a form asking for a commitment to not go anywhere else.
The question was simple. “Should we sign this?”
My answer was just as simple. “No.”
If these three things aren't enough, there are FAQs at the bottom of the page. Now back to Yesenia's story.
Here is the first thing you need to know. These “exclusive agent” agreements are wholly unenforceable. Even if you sign one, it does not legally bind your church to that agency. If you decide to move forward with someone else later, they cannot stop you. It is absolutely a scare tactic so they don't have to do as much work.
However, I also want to be fair about this. Having multiple agents shopping for you at the same time can create confusion. When two or three agencies submit your information to the same insurance company, it can create a mess and delay the proposal process. Especially if there are differing answers on your application. This is why I recommend working with no more than two agencies at one time.
But locking yourself to just one agent before you have seen what they can do for you? That is a problem.
No single agency has access to every church insurance carrier or program. If you sign with one too soon, you might never see better options that could protect your ministry more effectively or save you money.
Every church is unique. Two churches with similar buildings and membership can have completely different insurance needs. Tying yourself to one agency without understanding their process of securing insurance can leave you stuck with a policy that does not match your ministry.
It is important to work with an experienced church insurance agent who I can get you in front of the best insurance companies with the right insurance products for your unique circumstances.
When multiple agents know they are competing for your business, they are motivated to work harder. They ask more questions, present a better representation of your church, search for more competitive carriers, and pay closer attention to coverage details.
If you remove competition too early, the urgency to get you the right deal can disappear. Especially if they have limited options to provide your church with coverage. Without the healthy pressure of knowing they have to earn your business, some agents will settle for “good enough” instead of pushing for the very best.
An agent who tries to lock you in before doing the work is sending you a clear message. They are more concerned about protecting their own business than serving yours.
A trustworthy church insurance specialist earns your trust through expertise, service, and results. They prove their value by asking the right questions, understanding your ministry, and presenting solutions that actually meet your needs. They do not need a signature before they have done any of that.
At Insurance For Texans, our job is to put your church first. That means we start by asking you detailed questions about where you are today, where you are headed in the future, and what special assets you need to protect.
All of this is to give you the information you need to make a confident decision. We explain the differences in coverage. We help you compare the pros and cons of each option. And we give you the freedom to choose without pressure or limitations.
We believe in transparency. We believe in trust. And we believe in doing what is right for your church every single time.
That's why True Texas Church Insurance was created. To serve you well.
Your church’s reputation is built on transparency, trust, and doing the right thing. That is exactly what your insurance should be built on as well. It should never be based on a restrictive agreement that limits your choices before you even see your options.
If you are ever asked to sign an exclusive agreement, stop and ask yourself why. If the agent has not earned your trust yet, they do not deserve that level of commitment.
Click the button below to start a conversation with a Texas church insurance specialist who will focus on protecting your ministry, not boxing you in.