December 16, 2015
Think about your ministry’s board members and administrators: the work they do is important to your organization, and they are often volunteers with other full-time jobs. Did you know these board members could face personal liability and financial damages as a results of unjust leadership actions?
Sometimes ministry directors find themselves in situations where they have failed to maintain adequate financial records or exceeded the authority granted by the church’s bylaws. Circumstances like these make it important to consider Directors and Officers liability coverage (D&O) to protect your organization’s board members, administrators, trustees, directors, and officers.
D&O coverage helps protect the personal assets of your ministry’s leaders in the event that they or your ministry become obligated to pay financial damages as the result of wrongful leadership decisions or activities. Depending on the insurance provider, this coverage also includes a limited amount of defense funds for your ministry to use to mount a defense in the event you are sued. Some policies include spouses of ministry leaders when they are engaged in ministry activities.
Insurance policies usually define a director or officer as a leader, specifically serving as a board member, administrator, director, officer, or trustee, and acting within the scope of the leadership authority granted by the bylaws of an organization.
This coverage protects directors and officers when they are held personally liable for financial damages that result from their actions as board members. These damages must result from the failure of leaders to perform their duties in a proper way.
D&O provides defense funds to refute a claim or to prove immunity under the law. Even if your state has legislation protecting nonprofit directors and officers from lawsuits, you still may need D&O insurance. In some cases, the statutes specify activities for which immunity is intended, but they typically don’t protect the organization. With D&O coverage, the organization is protected in relation to covered financial damage claims.
Individuals in directors and officers positions are a vital part of any ministry. They need to be protected in unforeseen circumstances, making it especially important to consider the benefits of D&O liability coverage. Other aspects of your ministry are protected by insurance, why shouldn’t directors and officers be protected, too?
One positive aspect of today’s challenged economy is the availability of underutilized or empty commercial space. Before your ministry takes the plunge into a lease agreement, we want to make sure you're well-informed and prepared to avoid some common pitfalls.
In this month's perspective on the insurance market, I wanted to talk about the massive upward trending we are seeing in cancellation of policies. Our agency has observed a remarkable surge in inquiries from churches not currently under our insurance coverage. These churches are facing non-renewal by their existing carriers, a trend that has expanded beyond the norm of non-renewals due to excessive losses. Instead, carriers are now opting not to renew based on the risk profile of the ministry, which encompasses factors like geography, insured value, and construction type.
There are so many insurance policies to consider when it comes to protecting your ministry, and keeping track of each one’s coverages can be a mind-numbing task. One that I often hear confusion about is the Excess Liability policy, more commonly referred to as an Umbrella. While these terms aren’t exactly interchangeable in the broader insurance world, they do have a lot of overlap. For purposes of understanding your Brotherhood Mutual policy, they are basically synonymous.
In recent times, our team has observed a growing demand for key man life insurance, particularly within the realm of church leadership. Pastors are the spiritual pillars of their congregations, providing guidance, support, and a sense of community. While their spiritual contributions are invaluable, it's equally important to consider their financial well-being and the stability of the church should an unforeseen tragedy occur.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and it's time to prepare for the festive cheer, delicious food, twinkling lights, and heartwarming gatherings. But amidst all the joy and celebration, let's take a moment to reflect on something essential - the well-being of our ministry leaders.
Water damage due to plumbing leaks and frozen pipes is a leading cause of property claims for ministries. The damage is often made worse because ministry buildings are typically not in use every day. Last year, nearly 1,000 Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company customers were impacted. To help protect ministries from experiencing costly water damage and disruptions, Brotherhood Mutual® recommends FloLogic, a comprehensive solution that can detect even the smallest water leak and automatically shut off the water to prevent flooding.
Let's take a stroll down memory lane to 1938 when General Electric made a groundbreaking move by introducing fluorescent tubes to the world. Even though the technology had been brewing since the late 1880s, it took time and the genius of several inventors to make it shine as a practical product.
We are living in a day and age of tremendous uncertainty. Like Joseph in Egypt, the physical world is incredibly unpredictable.
In the ever-changing realm of finances, the past few years have brought forth a whirlwind of alterations. Looking ahead, the next five years promise their fair share of surprises and uncertainties.
In the dynamic landscape of today's world, managing the HR needs of any ministry can be a complex and ever-changing endeavor. Whether you're dealing with sensitive situations that demand careful handling to avoid legal entanglements or aiming to proactively establish risk management strategies, the journey can be demanding.
As we gear up for the upcoming school season, it's a fantastic opportunity to take a closer look at the coverage we offer to our beloved students and dedicated volunteers.
Are you tired of constantly hearing about rising expenses? It seems like every time I turn around, whether it's at the grocery store, the gas station, or even dealing with insurance, I'm faced with the reality of higher costs.
Let's face it, the world is constantly changing, and it's fascinating to witness the rapid evolution happening around us. Some futurists even predict that in the next two decades, the rate of change could be four times what it is today, and an astounding 16 times in 40 years.