Why Parsonage Dwellers Should Consider Renter’s Insurance

As a church leader, you make sure your place of worship has the right amount of insurance coverage. Your church package policy likely provides comprehensive property and liability coverages, but did you know you can extend coverage even further with a renter’s insurance policy for any clergy living in a property owned by the church? If you or others in your church live in a parsonage, here are a few reasons why adding a renter’s policy makes sense:

• A church package policy protects the actual parsonage building. However, it doesn’t cover the loss of personal possessions like books, laptops, clothing and furniture owned by an individual, unless these items are used predominately for business purposes. And if you think your personal belongings don’t cost that much, remember this: these items add up, and you likely won’t be able to replace the same items for what you originally paid for them. In fact, a recent insurance survey indicated that the average renter owns about $30,000 worth of possessions.
• A renter’s policy can help reimburse you for the cost to live in a hotel or another rental unit if you are temporarily forced out of the parsonage after a fire, lightning strike or other loss caused by a covered peril that leaves the residence uninhabitable.
• A renter’s policy extends a limited amount of coverage for your belongings while you’re traveling.
• A renter’s policy covers family members living with you, plus medical expenses for injuries to others on your property caused by you, your family members and even your pets.

Church leaders work hard to serve their congregation every day, and deserve insurance coverage that works just as hard. To learn more about how you or your clergy can benefit from a renter’s insurance policy, talk to your GuideOne agent.