Many small churches today don’t own their buildings. They may rent space in a school gym, community center, or another church’s fellowship hall to hold weekly services and events. While renting often saves money, it also introduces unique challenges when it comes to church insurance coverage. The good news is that even if your ministry doesn’t own the property, you can still protect your congregation, equipment, and mission by getting the right insurance.
Understand Your Lease Requirements
The first step is to carefully review your lease agreement. Most landlords require tenants—including churches—to carry a certain amount of liability insurance. This protects the property owner if someone is injured or if damage occurs during your use of the space.
Look for these common requirements:
- General Liability Limits – Often $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate. (Source: Insureon.com)
- Property Damage Coverage – For damage caused to the rented premises.
- Additional Insured Clause – Landlord may request to be named as an additional insured on your policy.
Meeting these requirements not only fulfills your legal obligation but also protects your church financially.
Get General Liability Insurance
Even if your landlord has insurance, your church needs its own liability coverage. A general liability policy will cover claims if:
- A member or visitor slips and falls during service.
- Someone’s property is damaged while on-site.
- A child is injured in Sunday school.
This coverage ensures that medical bills, legal defense, and settlements don’t come out of the church’s budget.
Cover Your Church-Owned Property
Just because you don’t own the building doesn’t mean you don’t have assets worth protecting. Your church likely owns:
- Sound systems, microphones, and AV equipment
- Musical instruments such as pianos, guitars, or drums
- Folding chairs, tables, or portable stage equipment
Consider purchasing inland marine coverage or contents insurance, which protects church-owned property whether it’s stored on-site, in a trailer, or transported to another location.
Include Pastoral and Professional Liability
Small churches often rely on pastors, ministers, or lay leaders who offer counseling or guidance to members. Pastoral counseling liability insurance is critical to protect against claims of negligence, misconduct, or emotional harm during counseling sessions.
Think About Event Coverage
Small churches frequently host potlucks, fundraisers, weddings, and youth events outside of their regular services. Your insurance should include special event coverage or an umbrella liability policy to extend protection during these occasions.
Consider Non-Owned Auto and Volunteer Coverage
If your church uses member-owned vehicles to transport supplies or volunteers to events, consider:
- Non-Owned Auto Liability – Covers accidents involving personal vehicles used for church business.
- Volunteer Accident Coverage – Provides medical coverage for volunteers injured while serving.
Review and Adjust Annually
Your insurance needs may change as your church grows. Revisit your coverage at least once a year to:
- Adjust coverage limits as attendance increases
- Add coverage for new equipment purchases
- Ensure compliance with any new lease requirements
Work with a Church Insurance Specialist
Finally, choose an insurance provider that specializes in church coverage. They understand ministry risks and can build a policy that fits a small church’s budget while still providing robust protection.
Conclusion
Insuring a small church that rents its building is about more than meeting landlord requirements—it’s about protecting your ministry, members, and mission. By securing liability coverage, protecting church-owned property, and planning for events and volunteers, you can focus on growing your congregation without worrying about unexpected financial setbacks.
Protect Your Church’s Mission with the Right Coverage
Your ministry deserves more than the bare minimum insurance required by your landlord. At Nolan Jackson Insurance, we specialize in customized church insurance solutions designed for small congregations that rent their space. From liability coverage and property protection to pastoral counseling and special event insurance, we make sure every aspect of your church is protected.
Call us today or request a free consultation to review your current policy and fill any coverage gaps—so you can focus on growing your congregation with peace of mind.
Get Your Free Church Insurance Review with Nolan Jackson Insurance