Houses of Worship share a mission to serve their respective communities, empowering parishioners and others in matters of faith and other needs. Despite the importance of the institution, the facilities can suddenly close due to an unexpected calamity.
How do members of the church, mosque and synagogue protect themselves from the risk of loss, apart from, of course, prayer?
Of course, tailored insurance coverage is a must. But in addition to that, instituting proper risk management policies can prevent and/or reduce the potential for loss from any of the various hazards that exist.
Follow below to see how a house of worship can combat related risk exposure.
Most common liability for houses of worship:
Slip and falls are the leading cause of liability for any business or non-profit, such as a religious center. To prevent or reduce risk, ensure facility parking spaces and sidewalks are crack repaired and winter snow and ice removed. Additionally, caution signs should be posted next to the wet floor, with hazardous areas cordoned off. If a spill occurs, it must be cleaned up immediately.
Applicable insurance must include general liability and incorporate any outreach, charity or special events. Members of the house of worship must be included in the coverage.
Sexual abuse laws are another important issue for board members to consider. To avoid these types of cases, house of worship officials should choose volunteers and employees carefully, focusing on background checks and character reference screenings. Due to the prevalence of incidents, no adult should be alone with a minor and all volunteer and employee activity should be reviewed.
Insurance related to abuse and nuisance should come with general liability coverage.
Counseling risks are normal when the ministry or clergy offer this service, usually at no cost. House of Worship counselors should be on the lookout for cases that require professional referrals. Failure to refer a client for professional advice or medical intervention could result in an errors and omissions lawsuit, as could discussing matters that were said in confidence.
Applicable pastor’s professional liability insurance must be purchased in conjunction with general liability coverage.
Most common property problems
Lightning strikes can do a lot of damage to a house of worship building along with the items it contains. It should be noted that lightning can pass through pipes and power lines, as well as telephone lines. This can cause fires, along with power surges and shock waves, which can lead to damage.
Related insurance comes in basic form and special cause of loss coverage.
Storm damage is another big concern for places of worship. To mitigate the potential for loss, board members must be aware of maintenance and repair work. Particular attention should be paid to roof problems, overgrowing tree branches and security at entry points, while sandbags should be placed in strategic areas when there is a threat of flooding.
The corresponding insurance must include replacement costs and wind and hail insurance.
Pickpocketing and theft is one of the issues to note because thieves are constantly taking copper from air conditioning units. This can cause serious breakdowns and costly repair and/or replacement costs. Supervising staff should cover the air conditioning unit with a cage, and musical instruments can be protected from theft by installing a burglar alarm at the central station heard by the police.
Related insurance covers churches, mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship.
Unfortunately, pipe bursts and winter are a reality that places of worship need to be very aware of because the resulting damage can be devastating. Preventive measures include sufficient insulation of pipes, along with a plumber’s maintenance and repair schedule.
Applicable insurance must include water damage for places of worship.
Last but not least, there is the risk of fire in a place of worship. With candles often an integral part of services, this is a real show. Using smokeless candle brands will eliminate this risk. In addition, faulty and outdated wiring and the risk of arson must be considered. An electrician’s repair and maintenance program is an important aspect of prevention.
Related fire damage insurance must be included in both basic and special cause of loss insurance.