The best part of my job is is helping the person tasked with finding insurance. Typically, this person did not volunteer for the job. Most of the time this person has no clue about church insurance. What this person understood when asked to find insurance is, “We need cheaper insurance.”

When church budgets are tight who wants to be “that person” who comes back with a higher premium? I understand this partially because my wife worked in the finance department of a large church for nine years. Church budgets ebb and flow with seemingly more ebb than flow.

Working with someone not familiar with church insurance is rewarding. I always try to make them look good when they report back. That is the rewarding part. Also, I educate and work with them to determine proper values for their buildings and the property inside the buildings. I estimate 75% of the churches I quote have improper values before my inspection. Could this be because the church was simply price shopping for the least expensive coverage? Could it be because the agent they received the quote from never visited their church? Perhaps they just were not familiar with the unique needs of churches.

I also help the church implement a policy designed to prevent acts of sexual misconduct. It is appalling to have a church tell me, “It won’t happen here.” Or, “We know everybody, so we don’t need this.” Unfortunately, I have actual claims from churches that specifically told me those statements. I know a family with two little girls that would beg to differ with them. If a church has a written policy, I will review it to shore up any deficiencies. If the church has nothing in place, I have a pre-approved template and work with the church to insert their information.

My agency also helps the church with educating their drivers to the dangers 15-passenger vans pose. We have a short online video the drivers must watch to impress upon them the extra measures needed to ensure safe driving of these vans. My advice to churches is never purchase one of these vans. They are dangerous to drive because they have a reputation of rolling over. You can’t tow anything with them either. However, if the church already has one we work to make sure it is as safe as possible.

There are two aspects of working with church people I find frustrating.

Lack of Urgency

The first is the lack of urgency with complying with company requests. I am not sure if it is due to a volunteer not having the time or the thought process that implies it is not their job, but this can hurt the church. Insurance companies have underwriting guidelines mandating what is needed. I can only press so many times before I am the “pesky” agent bothering the church. The reason I am pesky is to protect the church. If my company cancels for non-compliance, the next company may charge you higher premiums.

Turnover of People

The other frustrating part of working with churches is the turnover of people. I have worked with churches for many years implementing proper values, risk reduction, upgrading their internal processes and procedures. A new person comes on the scene who knows none of the previous efforts and immediately leaves my agency because they could save a small amount of premium. Many times I get no notice the church was even shopping even though I can provide the same quote at possibly less than the other company. I don’t get a chance. It is as if my efforts in the past count for nothing.

I understand this is “just business” to many churches. I do not separate my business life from my personal life. If I have loyalty, integrity, and compassion in my life, those traits should not be left at my office door on Monday morning. When I grew up, loyalty meant something. It was a two-way street.

Perhaps insurance companies do not create warm fuzzies. No one enjoys paying premiums. The time you find out if your agent cares about your church and ministry is at claims time. If your agent has taken the time to understand your church and ministry and proposed the proper coverage, you will be okay.

I have never met a bad insurance company, but I have seen policies without the proper coverage. If your plan does not provide the coverage you paid for, why would the carrier pay the claim?

A good agent understands your church and reviews the coverage on a regular basis. Give him a chance first to reduce the premium when you need to.

If you want an agent who is loyal, cares about your church and will be there at claim time, call me.