By Jared Morgan
Managing Partner and Agent Lightwell Insurance Advisors
When it comes to protecting your ministry, I've seen firsthand how important it is to have the right liability coverages in place. It can make a big difference and shouldn’t be overlooked.
When we talk about general liability, we're covering the basics that every commercial policy should include—bodily injury, property damage, and personal advertising injury. Liability insurance generally kicks in when an organization is found negligent and causes harm to someone else. Think of it this way: if you dig a hole and forget to put up a warning sign, and someone gets hurt, you're liable for their injury.
Ministry-Focused Matters
But here's where it gets interesting for ministries and where ministry-focused liability coverages come into play. You're not just dealing with the usual risks. You've got a board making financial decisions, minors in your care, employees offering spiritual advice, and youth groups engaging in all sorts of activities, from freeze tag to dodgeball. There's a lot going on, and each of these activities brings its own set of risks.
Let's not forget about cyber liability and electronic giving. With everything moving online, the potential for storing records electronically adds another layer of complexity. And then there's the issue of church security teams—volunteers who are ready to protect the church, sometimes with deadly force. It's a lot to manage, and a standard general liability policy just doesn’t cut it in most instances.
One of the most challenging claims I've handled involved a church camp where two minors engaged in inappropriate behavior. It’s not only about working closely with the camp leaders to help them understand how their coverage works in a situation like this, but also about the spiritual and emotional well-being of the kids involved. Our first concern in any claim, especially abuse claims, is the victims and how they're being taken care of. Our approach is to support the ministry in addressing these issues holistically. We walk alongside our clients to guide them through the immediate crisis, ensuring they get the right counsel and support to take care of their ministry and those harmed.
How Risk Management Comes Into Play
Risk management is another key area where we provide support. For example, we help ministries understand the importance of having and following a child protection plan with written policies and procedures that describe having a two-adult rule or a rule of three with minors when it comes to supervision, conducting background checks on everyone working with kids, and enforcing a six-month waiting period before new members can volunteer.
Likewise, when it comes to church security teams, we're not the tactical experts who train your team on how to respond to threats. Instead, we help you set up a team by advising on the kind of training they need, identifying good team member qualities, and designing a functional security plan. Our involvement can help your security team be well-prepared and ensure your ministry is protected from potential incidents.
Wrapping Up
In the end, what sets Lightwell apart is our commitment to the ministry piece of this work. We're about serving and protecting your mission.
Some organizations are tempted to go with standard carriers for all their insurance needs because they feel it is more affordable or don’t think they’ll experience a crisis. And they end up missing out on having the expertise of a ministry specialist ready to help them and the customized coverages designed with their risks in mind by going that route.
If you have any questions or need further advice, don't hesitate to reach out to your local Lightwell agent. We're here to help you navigate these complex issues and ensure your ministry is well-protected.
About the Author: Jared has been with Lightwell Insurance Advisors for more than a decade. He serves as a managing partner and agent in Kentucky area. Jared is known for empowering clients to focus on their mission while he and his team make the insurance and risk management process seamless.
