Nov 14 2025 19:20
Church Coverage: Protection for Property, Liability, and Professional Risks
Comprehensive Insurance Solutions for Churches: Protecting Ministries, Properties, and People
Churches play a vital role in their communities—providing spiritual leadership, outreach programs, charitable services, childcare, events, and more. But with this important work comes a wide range of exposures, from property damage and liability claims to employment practices issues and professional risks. Having the right insurance program in place ensures that ministries can continue their mission, even when the unexpected happens.
At Souders’s Underwriting Group, we offer a robust suite of insurance products specifically designed for religious institutions. Our church coverage solutions help protect ministries from everyday risks as well as complex liabilities—giving leaders peace of mind and financial security.
Church Coverage: A Complete Insurance Package for Ministries
Churches face a unique blend of organizational and operational risks. Our comprehensive program is designed to safeguard:
- Property
- General Liability
- Hired & Non-Owned Auto Liability
- Employee Benefits Liability
- Medical Payments
- Errors & Omissions (including Sexual Misconduct)
- Professional Liability (including Directors & Officers, Employment Practices, and Crime)
This integrated approach ensures ministries are protected from the sanctuary to the administrative offices—and everywhere in between.
Property Insurance for Churches
Church properties often include multiple buildings, community spaces, education centers, and historic structures. These facilities require tailored protection that addresses rebuilding costs, equipment, special features, and multiple locations.
Property Coverage Highlights
- Ability to write up to $50M primary, or take a $50M layer out of a $500M Total Insured Value (TIV)
- Excess options available above the primary layer
- Fast, single-carrier claims handling for simplified processing
- Coverage available for schedules of properties across multiple locations
- 100% replacement cost coverage ensures buildings are restored to like-new condition
- Flexible structures including Primary, Excess, and Full Value basis
Property Limits & Premiums
- Limits available up to $500M
- $50M Primary Limit
- 100% of the first $50M can be placed
- Markets available for high-risk properties with 35K MP
Churches often benefit significantly from high-quality property coverage due to exposures such as:
- Fires, windstorms, and vandalism
- Theft of equipment or electronics
- Damage to stained glass, steeples, or historical features
- Community-center operations
- Natural disasters affecting large campuses
General Liability Insurance for Churches
Churches engage with the public daily—through worship services, youth programs, community activities, daycare centers, and events. This naturally increases liability exposures.
General Liability Coverage Highlights
- Multiple programs available, including Stand-Alone Sexual Misconduct & Sexual Molestation (SMML)
- Premises and Products Liability
- Occurrence or Claims-Made forms available
- Ability to offer Excess limits over policy sub-limits
General Liability Limits & Premiums
- Limits up to $1M / $3M
- SMML Minimum Premium: $2,000
- SMML Minimum Retention: $5,000
- Potential additional $5M limit through reinsurance or excess markets
General Liability is essential for churches due to exposures such as:
- Slip-and-fall incidents
- Large group gatherings
- Youth and volunteer programs
- Off-site events
- Counseling or ministry services
Sexual misconduct coverage is particularly critical, as it addresses one of the most severe and financially devastating risks religious institutions can face.
Professional Liability for Churches
Church leadership must also navigate operational decisions, employment matters, financial management, and digital risks. Professional Liability coverage helps protect the organization, its leaders, and its mission.
Professional Liability Highlights
- Directors & Officers (D&O)
- Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)
- Cyber Liability
- Crime Coverage
Professional Liability Limits & Premiums
- Up to $10M in limits per coverage line
- Most ministries select $500K–$2M
- Coverage up to $1M for defense costs
- $250K for wage & hour violations
- $250K for workplace violence claims
- $100K immigration investigation cost sub-limit (with a $5K deductible; no additional premium)
- Target revenue threshold: $50M or below
Professional Liability is critical for exposures like:
- Board decisions and administration
- Wrongful termination or discrimination claims
- Data breaches or cyberattacks targeting donor information
- Theft or fraud by employees or volunteers
Ready to Quote a Church Risk? Here’s What We Need
To make the submission process as smooth and efficient as possible, please include:
- ACORD Application
- Loss Runs
- Statement of Values (SOV)
The more detailed the information your team provides, the faster we can deliver a competitive and accurate quote.
Protecting Ministries With Purpose
Churches deserve insurance solutions that understand the heart of their mission as well as the realities of their exposures. With tailored property options, broad liability protections, and specialized professional coverages, our programs help safeguard ministries so they can focus on what truly matters—serving their communities.
If you have a church risk ready for submission, our underwriting team is here to help.
