April 27, 2016
What would you do if a windstorm damaged the roof of your church or a child tripped over an unsecured cord and injured his elbow? Do you know how to report a claim?
Notify your agent, and police, if necessary
Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible and provide a detailed description of what occurred, including information about the extent of damages. Then, take immediate steps to make reasonable, necessary repairs to protect your property from further damage.
Besides your agent, contact law enforcement in cases such as theft, burglary, vandalism, suspected arson, and other incidents that violate the law or usually require police involvement.
Property claims may require help from an adjuster
Insurers often require two repair estimates when there’s damage to your building. For damage to personal property, you’ll need to submit a complete list of damaged items. Your adjuster will verify the value of the damaged items, so provide as much information about the damaged property as possible.
For extensive losses, you may need a claim adjuster to establish the full extent of your damages and to give you guidance to settle your claim. Your cooperation will enable claims personnel to establish the extent of damages quickly and equitably.
Liability claim settlements are based on negligence
Liability losses involve injury to someone while they are on your grounds or involved in your sponsored activities. You also can be held liable for damage to property that others own and you have borrowed from them.
When an accident occurs, provide appropriate medical care to the injured person immediately, then notify your agent. Just because someone is injured on your premises or at one of your sponsored activities does not mean you are liable for the damages.
Without acknowledging responsibility, provide your insurance company’s name, address, and phone number if an injured person asks. Avoid making statements like, “We’ll take care of everything.” Instead, say, “We’ll report this injury to our insurance company, and they will be in touch with you.”
Water and the damage it brings can be one of the most devastating property claims a ministry or organization can experience. Fortunately, there's a solution that identifies leaks when they start, as small as 1/2-ounce-per-minute. It's called FloLogic.
The ability to inspire others to give is a blessing. Because fundraising can be both exciting and challenging, there are some important details to consider that can help your donors, and organization, have a smooth and successful experience.
Has your church or school ever been asked to loan or rent one of your vans or buses to another ministry? Rather than running the risk of loaning or renting your own vehicle, you could consider aiding them financially in renting or chartering a vehicle from a rental agency.
Having insurance coverage specifically designed for long-term international missions helps protect your people and organization from the financial impact caused by injuries, lawsuits, property damage, and more.
With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.
As school is back in session, it’s important to make sure your school is equipped with the correct safety procedures. Thinking about your school’s physical security as a series of layers can help you find gaps in your plan. Transportation and volunteers are just two important aspects of your school safety plan to think about.
Anyone who turns on the news, flips through a magazine, or browses the web can see that American society and culture are experiencing rapid transitions. Some ministries have valid concerns that issues surrounding societal shifts may expose them to negative publicity, governmental scrutiny, or litigation.
The questions become: when and how can ministries operate within their deeply held religious beliefs when they may conflict with others’ rights?
Cyber security is increasingly crucial in our technologically advanced world. Scammers use many schemes when attempting to steal your data, but you can outsmart them by understanding their methods.
Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Though child abuse may not be something you could ever imagine happening within your ministry, sexual abuse of a minor is one of the top five reasons churches end up in court, according to Church Law & Tax. Studies also show that a child is much more likely to be sexually abused by a trusted adult than a stranger.
When severe storms strike, they can produce high winds and tornadoes. Damaging winds can wreak havoc on your ministry’s property and to buildings. A high wind event can crash debris through your windows, strip your siding, down trees on your parking lot, peel shingles off your roof, and fling back the flashing.
Thieves are taking advantage of soaring precious metal prices. Take steps to protect your ministry’s vehicles and property.
Preparing for this Christmas season may require additional creativity, due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 may bring in our local community.
A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.
Organizations that obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the CARES Act can have their loans forgiven, turning them into grants. To qualify, each borrower must file a forgiveness application with its PPP lender, proving that it followed the rules. If your church, school, college, or camp meets all the criteria, 100% of its loan can be forgiven.
Learn about the CARES Act and two loans for which ministries may be eligible, since Congress authorized additional funding April 23.
As concern over the dangers associated with the spread of a new coronavirus, COVID-19, spreads, our agency and Brotherhood Mutual want to keep you informed and provide best practices for managing the spread of this and similar illnesses at your ministry.
The first Sunday in February is a big day for sports fans. In fact, many Americans view Super Bowl Sunday as a national holiday. Friends and families will gather this year to watch the big game, enjoy delicious snacks, and of course, critique the commercials that go along with game day.