If you have traveled around Texas, you have likely seen some amazing architecture. We have amazing buildings, bridges, and other structures. But one thing that never gets old is seeing an historic church with a large, beautiful stained glass window.
There’s an older church in Tyler that’s been part of its community for generations, and it has these beautiful stained glass windows that shine when the sun comes through. Each window tells a story, and the locals and members love what those windows mean to their church.
Last spring, a hailstorm hit the area hard wreaking havoc on the town. The property damage to the roof was a problem. But worse than that, several of the stained glass windows were shattered in the old church building.
The church filed an insurance claim hoping the repairs would be covered by their insurance provider. But when they got the report back, they were shocked. The insurance company would only pay a small amount for the windows. It wasn’t enough to fix even one of them properly.
No one at the church knew the insurance policy had a special limit for stained glass. They assumed the windows were covered like the rest of the building. That mistake cost them dearly.
Damage Doesn’t Always Come from Big Events
Hail was the problem for the Tyler church. And that is certainly a potential risk that is at the top of every Texan's mind. But stained glass can be damaged by many other common risks too. Kids playing in the yard can break a window by accident. Someone could try to break in. Cleaning mistakes or even a small shift in the building can crack old glass.
Not all policies for churches cover these types of damage. Some policies only pay if the glass is broken by a big event, like a hail storm or tornado. Some policies won’t pay at all unless stained glass is named clearly in the policy documents! That’s why it matters to know what your insurance covers before something bad happens to your sacred space.
Most Church Insurance Policies Have a Sublimit on Stained Glass
Whether you are in Tyler, El Paso, or somewhere in between, you have likely not heard the term "sublimit". A sublimit on an insurance policy is a cap or max on a specific type of coverage risk.
This sublimit limits how much the insurance policy will pay for a specified part of the church property if a covered claim does happen. While a church might have $1 million in coverage for buildings, the stained glass might only be covered for $5,000 or $10,000. This is what tripped up the church in Tyler.
The Tyler church had several windows. One of them alone was worth more than what the policy allowed. So when they filed a claim, they only got part of the money needed to fix it. The rest had to come from their budget.
If your church has stained glass, it’s important to ask if there’s a sublimit and what that number is. You may think your church has comprehensive insurance coverage, but that small number could lead to a big surprise.
You May Need a Special Endorsement for Full Protection
Some churches with stained glass don’t have enough coverage simply because they don’t have the right kind of policy. Many insurance policies need an added piece, called an endorsement, to fully cover stained glass windows.
This kind of church property insurance coverage adds protection for the full value of the glass. It lets you replace or restore your windows properly if they are damaged. The endorsement may require an appraisal or a stated value, but it gives peace of mind that you won’t be left short.
The Tyler church later found out they could have added this to their policy. If they had known earlier, they could have avoided the big repair bills.
Why a Church Insurance Specialist Matters
Most churches don’t think about stained glass until it’s too late. An inexperienced insurance agent may not know what questions to ask. They might not look at what’s really unique or valuable about your building. Instead just focusing on your cost of property insurance.
But a church insurance specialist does. They’ve worked with churches before and know how to help protect things like stained glass, steeples, and bell towers. They can help you look at your policy and find what’s missing.
Risk Purchasing Groups are becoming more common place in Texas, and many of them have limited coverage for claims involving stained glass windows. But an experienced specialist can help you find the additional property coverage options to protect those precious windows. That makes a big difference when it comes time to file a claim.
Protecting What Matters with True Texas Church Insurance
Insurance For Texans works with churches all across the state. Our True Texas Church Insurance program helps churches like yours protect what matters most. That includes stained glass windows that carry meaning and memories.
The Tyler church worked with our specialists and made changes to their new policy. She started by asking questions to make sure that they had more comprehensive property insurance. Now they feel confident that if anything happens again, they’ll be ready.
Click the button below to speak with a church insurance specialist who knows what questions to ask and how to help your church get the right coverage.