Pastor Jim had been serving his congregation in Waco for nearly fifteen years. He had walked with them through weddings, funerals, and baptisms. He had prayed with families in their darkest nights and celebrated with them on their brightest days. The church building was not just a gathering place, it was a home.
Because of Jim's long experience with his church, he kept an eye on things that might slip past some folks. He was keenly aware of the church finances and was all about making sure they stayed in a stable position.
So when Jim realized the renewal premiums had gone up again dramatically, he wanted to shop around to make sure the church was getting a fair deal. He gave Insurance For Texans a call and his first request was simple.
“Can you just give me an apples to apples comparison with what we already have?”
It sounded reasonable. After all, if one insurance company charges more and another charges less for the same thing, then the cheaper option must be the better deal. That is the logic many people use when they buy groceries, electronics, or even cars. But church insurance is not the same as a bag of apples at the local HEB.
The truth is that Jim’s request could have done more harm than good. His existing policy had coverage gaps, outdated coverage limits, and insurance exclusions that left the church exposed to unnecessary risks. If we had simply matched it line for line, he would have carried the same broken protection for another year. The price might have been lower, but the real cost could have been devastating if a claim had come.
If you're short on time, here are the three reasons your current apples may be rotten.
If you want to skip the story, there are FAQs at the bottom of the article. Now back to Jim's Story.
When most people ask for an apples to apples comparison like Jim did, what they really want is reassurance. They want to know they are getting the best deal without having to dig into confusing insurance terms. On the surface, that feels like a smart shortcut.
The problem is that this shortcut creates a false sense of security. Especially if you haven't reviewed your current church insurance policy in several years, if ever.
It assumes the old policy was correct in the first place. It assumes all insurance carriers offer the exact same coverage. And it assumes that nothing has changed since you last reviewed it. None of those assumptions are accurate.
Insurance reviews are not about matching line items. It should be about protecting people, property, ministries, and the mission of your church. When you only compare surface-level details, you risk ignoring the deeper question of whether your risks are actually covered.
Imagine that a church bought its first insurance policy twenty years ago when the congregation was smaller and the building was half the size. Over the years, additions were built, a new wing for children’s ministry was added, and expensive sound equipment was purchased. But your policy never changed.
If you copy that old policy line for line, you are simply repeating the same mistakes. The building will be undervalued, leaving you short if a fire destroyed it. Liability coverage might be outdated and not reflect today’s risks. Specialized ministries like a daycare or food pantry likely are not even included.
This is exactly what we found in Pastor Jim’s case. His old policy was missing endorsements that would have mattered during a serious storm. By asking for apples to apples, he was unintentionally asking us to keep those same mistakes alive.
Insurance companies are not identical. Each carrier has their own policy forms, exclusions, and coverage limit choices. What one company excludes outright, another might cover without any hassle.
For example, one carrier might exclude water damage from a backed-up drain while another includes it automatically. One might require high wind and hail deductibles while another provides more flexibility. You cannot line those two policies up perfectly because they are built differently from the ground up.
If you only chase apples to apples, you are forcing a false comparison. You may be ignoring opportunities for better protection because you are too focused on whether two pieces of paper look the same.
When most people think of insurance costs, they focus on the premium. But premiums are just one part of the total cost of risk for Texas churches. Deductibles, exclusions, claim handling, and payout terms all impact what you actually spend when a disaster happens.
A policy that looks cheaper in an apples to apples comparison may leave you with thousands of dollars in extra costs when an insurance claim hits. On the flip side, a slightly higher premium with better coverage might actually save your church tens of thousands in the long run.
Pastor Jim’s old policy had a deductible that looked small on paper but came with an endorsement that limited coverage for wind and hail damage. If a storm hit, the church would have been out far more money than they realized. By matching it apples to apples, we would have kept that risk hidden.
Instead of chasing apples to apples comparisons, the better approach is to focus on protecting your unique risks. That means asking detailed questions about your buildings, your ministries, your people, and your finances.
An experienced church insurance agent should take the time to understand how your ministry operates, what assets need protecting, and what future changes may be coming. Only then can they present coverage options that make sense for your unique circumstances. The right comparison is not about matching old paperwork. It is about evaluating how different options address your real risks.
At Insurance For Texans, we do not believe in shortcuts that put your church at risk. We know it is tempting to look at insurance as just another expense to minimize. But when the storm comes, the only thing that matters is whether your policy does what you need it to do. Don't find this out after a claim denial.
That is why we take the time to uncover your risks and explain your options. True Texas Church Insurance will walk you through the pros and cons of each approach. We highlight where coverage is strong, where it may be weak, and how different companies respond in Texas. Most importantly, we give you the freedom to make an informed decision without pressure.
Our mission is built on transparency, trust, and doing what is right for your church every single time.
If someone tells you they will give you an apples to apples comparison, stop and think about what that really means. Matching a broken policy does not protect your ministry. Comparing paperwork instead of coverage leaves you vulnerable.
Pastor Jim thought he needed a quick comparison. What he really needed was a guide who could show him where his risks were exposed and how to fix them. When he saw the differences, he understood that the lowest premium on a flawed policy is not a bargain. It is a liability.
Your church deserves better. It deserves the Promise of Certainty.
Click the button below to schedule a review with a Texas church insurance specialist who will look beyond surface comparisons and help you build real protection for your ministry.