Comparison of insurance companies
This is a general comparison among the three insurance companies that provide coverage to at least 10 percent of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) churches. For additional information regarding the insurance companies or programs, please contact the individual representatives at the bottom of the page.
1. What is the Company’s AM Best Rating?
Church Mutual Insurance Company
A (Excellent)
GuideOne Insurance Company
A Excellent
Insurance Board
A (Excellent)
2. How many PC(USA)churches did the company insure in 2009?
Church Mutual Insurance Company
2,100
GuideOne Insurance Company
2,574 churches and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) entitites
Insurance Board
1,002 PC(USA) churches/ministries
3. Does the company offer coverage that fulfills the recommended minimum standards of property and liability insurance for churches, presbyteries and synods of the PC(USA)?
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Yes.
GuideOne Insurance Company
Yes.
Insurance Board
Yes.
4. Is the company licensed in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.? If not, list jurisdictions where not licensed to do business.
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Church Mutual is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Not licensed in Puerto Rico.
GuideOne Insurance Company
GuideOne is licensed to do business in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Not licensed in Puerto Rico.
Insurance Board
The Insurance Board does not require individual state licensing. It is offered in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Does not provide coverage in Puerto Rico.
5. Does the company use independent insurance agents or company exclusive agents to market its products?
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Both managing general agents and company exclusive agents.
GuideOne Insurance Company
Both independent and company exclusive agents are used.
Insurance Board
Uses independent agents and internal agents.
6. Does the company offer coverage to every church, presbytery and synod?
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Yes, subject to underwriting guidelines
GuideOne Insurance Company
All Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) entities are eligible for the insurance program subject to underwriting approval.
Insurance Board
Offers coverage to every PC(USA) church, presbytery, and synod.
7. Does the company offer master or group policies?
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Church Mutual offers both master and group policies.
GuideOne Insurance Company
Yes, GuideOne offers a group affiliated policy.
Insurance Board
Yes; all churches fall under a master policy.
8. Does an outside adjuster or company adjuster process claims?
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Both, depending on the severity of the claim.
GuideOne Insurance Company
Most claims are handled by Company adjusters. Outside adjusters are sometimes assigned to claims occuring in remote areas, but even these claims are audited by company adjusters.
Insurance Board
Uses outside adjusters to process claims and internal staff to monitor claim handling.
9. Does the company offer loss control or risk management services? If yes, please list services offered and any additional charges for the services.
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Loss control and risk management services are offered at no additional charge. Visit the Church Mutual Insurance Company Web site for complete offering of risk management materials.
GuideOne Insurance Company
Yes. The GuideOne Center for Risk management provides free on-site inspections when requested by a policyholder or an underwriter. The center also produces manuals, checklist, brochures and news letters. Some are free and some are offered at reduced pricing to GuideOne policy holders. Arrangements have been made with other companies to provide needed church products and services such as background screening, human resource assistance, etc. at substantial savings.
Insurance Board
Provides an array of loss control and risk management services and resources, mostly at no cost. Visit their website for more information.
10. Does the company offer coverage for church-owned or middle governing body-owned camps, nursing homes, daycare centers, schools and conference centers? If yes, please list operations that can be covered.
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Yes, all such religious-related facilities, with the exception of nursing homes, are insurable with Church Mutual for Property and Casualty coverages. In 37 states, the company also insures assisted living facilities.
GuideOne Insurance Company
Yes. All Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) entities are eligible for property and casualty coverage subject to underwriting approval.
Insurance Board
Yes, can cover church-owned camps, daycare centers, schools, conference centers, and independent-living senior housing facilities (provided that they do not include a medical malpractice component).
11. Does the Company offer coverage for special programs and activities of churches and middle governing bodies such as parish nurse, outreach services, soup kitchen, dinners and fund raising events? If yes, please list activities that can be covered.
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Yes, based on underwriting guidelines, all such programs and activities are insurable with Church Mutual for Property and Casualty coverages.
GuideOne Insurance Company
Yes. All activities and programs of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are eligible for property and casualty coverage subject to underwriting approval.
Insurance Board
Yes, coverage is offered for special programs and activities that are customary for churches and mid councils, including liability as a result of a parish nurse, outreach services, soup kitchens, dinners and fundraising events, etc.
12. Does the Company offer earthquake and flood coverage? If yes, please list states where coverage is available.
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Earthquake coverage is generally available in all states. Flood is placed through the National Flood Insurance Program.
GuideOne Insurance Company
Earthquake coverage is available in all states with the exception restrictions/limitations in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Oregon and Washington. Flood is not available in any state but is available through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Insurance Board
Yes. Earthquake coverage is available in all states. Flood coverage is also available in all states, but not in NFIP Zones A or V.
Contact Information
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Martin F. Heyne, Director Group Sales
Church Mutual Insurance Co.
P. O. Box 357
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5577
GuideOne Insurance Company
Jim Bonney
1111 Ashworth Rd.
W. Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 267-5193
Fax: (515) 267-5250
Please visit the GuideOne Center for Risk Management Web site for free information on a variety of church safety topics. Also, GuideOne Insurance customers receive free access to SafeChurch, the most comprehensive safety and risk management resource available to churches, featuring sample forms, fact sheets, resources, online training modules, safety assessments, project planning tools, discussion forum, low-cost background checks and more.
The Insurance Board
Timothy Harris, CPCU, President & CEO
700 Prospect Avenue East, 5th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 736-3237
