Insurance: Clarity on Coverage

I have received many emails and phone calls over the past month or so on Liability Insurance coverage for the churches. 

The most frequently asked question has been, "Does the church need to have Abuse/Counselling coverage and Directors' Liability insurance included in their policy?"  There is more than one answer depending on who your insurance provider is:

The Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada (national office) uses Westland Insurance as our liability/property insurance provider.  Brenda Erickson, our Westland representative, has provided us with details that should bring more clarity to what is required for each of our churches.

If your church is insured with Westland Insurance then you are not required to obtain additional coverage for Abuse/Counselling liability.  You are automatically covered under the national church policy at no extra charge to the national office or individual church. 

However, if you are with another insurance provider you will not be covered for this under the national office insurance and will need to have this specifically included in your individual insurance coverage.  This is an additional charge and depending on your provider can be costly.

Directors' Liability insurance is covered under the national church policy and is not required for the churches.  The national board is legally responsible for the operations of the national church and/or any liability that may flow from decisions made at the local church level.

If you are a church plant and are conducting services in rented/leased facilities you are required to have insurance coverage for public liability and property.  Coverage is provided under the national office policy for a small fee ($75).

The Administration Manual (Tab 5, Part 6.0) itemizes the types of coverage that are to be included in the church's insurance coverage.  Please note that the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada, as holding title to all church property, is to be the named insured for insurance purposes.  The church may also be named as secondary benificiary.

Please take the time to review the Foursquare policy and your individual church coverage.  If you need further assistance then please contact the national office. 

You can also contact Brenda at Westland Insurance directly at 604.543.7788 or berickson@westland-insurance.com if you have questions or you would like to obtain a quote for insurance coverage.

Rhonda Berkhiem


Quotable Quote: 
For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin.
At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
... Alfred Souza