From stained glass and pipe organs to steeples and gymnasiums, this coverage protects your physical property so that if disaster strikes, the mission of the church can continue.
The Storm and the Steeple in Sherman
A historic church in Sherman, Texas, was celebrated for its 80-year-old sanctuary featuring intricate stained-glass windows and a high-reaching steeple. When a microburst storm hit the area, the church’s steeple partially collapsed and several stained-glass panels were shattered.
The church leaders were relieved to find they had a specific policy endorsement that covered these special pieces of property. Because their coverage was tailored for churches and had coverage for the stained glass windows, it covered the specialized craftsmanship required to restore the historic glass. Without an endorsement on their property policy or a specialized stain glass policy, the church would not have been able to pay to restore their beautiful windows.
What Church Property Insurance Covers
A robust property policy protects the church's assets from perils like fire, theft, vandalism, and the infamous Texas wind and hail. It typically includes:
- The Building (Structure): The sanctuary, fellowship halls, classrooms, and detached structures like sheds or gymnasiums.
- Personal Property (Contents): Everything inside the church that isn't nailed down: pews, sound systems, musical instruments, kitchen equipment, and office computers.
- Specialized Church Assets: Items unique to churches, such as baptistries, pipe organs and stained glass windows.
- Signs and Outdoor Property: Fences, monuments, playgrounds, and the church marquee.
Key Concepts Church Leaders Must Know
When reviewing your property policy, pay close attention to these three factors:
- Replacement Cost Value vs. Actual Cash Value: In Texas, you want replacement cost whenever possible. If your 20-year-old pews are destroyed, you want the insurance to pay for new pews instead of a depreciated value.
- The Stained Glass and Sound System sublimits: Standard policies often cap what they pay out for items like stained glass windows and special equipment like sound systems. These items require endorsements or stand alone policies to extend limits of coverage.
- Inflation Guard: Building costs in Texas are rising fast. An inflation guard endorsement automatically increases your coverage limits each year so that you maintain the value of your coverage despite inflation.
Risks Associated with Renting Space
Does your church host a daycare, a private school, or an AA group? If you rent or share your space, your property insurance needs to reflect that usage. Increased foot traffic means increased wear and tear and different risk profiles for your equipment and flooring.
Most carriers require that renters carry their own liability policy and name the church as an additional insured on the policy.
Is Your Foundation Secure?
Your church property is likely the most significant investment your congregation has ever made. Relying on a generic commercial policy can leave your most sacred assets exposed to gaps in coverage.
Is your church covered appropriately? Most church boards don't realize their policy has a standard glass limit until a storm hits. Our personalized risk assessment looks at your specific architecture and equipment to ensure your church is protected from the foundation to the top of the steeple.