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When the leadership at Kent Island United Methodist Church in Chester, Maryland, acquired a trailer stocked with supplies to aid disaster relief, they saw another opportunity to minister to the masses.

What they didn't see was another liability to add to the church's insurance policy.

"We picked up a trailer for mission work—with tools and supplies to help with emergencies like tornadoes or floods—but it was about a year before I figured out that I hadn't told the insurance company about the vehicle," says church administrator Ken Brown. "Things can slip through the cracks."

Forgotten vehicles, new employees, or even a new storage shed—these are all issues that demand vigilant evaluation, lest a mishap occur and a church realize it's solely responsible for the expenses of replacement, liability, injuries, or worse.

"There is going to be a time when someone sues. It may not be someone out to shaft the church, but there may be a time when the church is really liable because someone falls in a pothole or a railing comes loose," Brown adds.

Touching base with the church's insurance agent a couple of times a year, or when something new happens, is important for staying on top of the church's insurance needs, says Hugh White, vice president of sales and marketing for Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. (Editor's note: Christianity Today International, Your Church's parent, partners with Brotherhood Mutual on ChurchSafety.com).

A struggling economy is another reason to review coverage.

"Almost all churches are struggling to make their budgets as offerings are down," White says. "If premiums go up more than two to three percent (without adding a new building or ministry), they might want to get a competitive quote."

How often church leaders review their insurance coverage varies by congregation; some rarely review it, while others do it every three years, says Patrick M. Moreland, vice president of marketing for Merrill, Wisconsin-based Church Mutual Insurance Company. He recommends reviewing coverage at least every three years.

While shopping, keep in mind that five church insurance providers combined serve more than half of the country's churches: Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, Church Mutual, GuideOne Insurance, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, and Zurich American Insurance.

This is a great time for churches to shop around, says Brian Murray, commercial underwriting manager at GuideOne of West Des Moines, Iowa.

"The insurance industry is in a soft market, so many companies have lowered their premiums and may be offering more coverage than they have in the past," Murray says. "Plus, as new exposures arise, companies develop new coverages to address them."

Marisa Thornton, marketing manager for Philadelphia Insurance Companies in Philadelphia, agrees that carriers are willing to offer coverages at competitive prices, but notes that "more important than rate is coverage and long-term pricing stability."

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