Many Churches do not understand the need for Additional Insured Certificates from their venders, renters and third-party entities.
When it comes to risk management a church can choose to retain the risk, reduce the risk, defer the risk, or eliminate the risk. Additional Insured Certificates of Insurance fall under the categories of elimination and deferral of risk. When entering into a contract or allowing any third-party to have access to your facility, there are two things to remember:
1) Most General Liability policies will protect your church for the presence of third-party entities on your campus.
2) The fact that your church is covered should not be confused with the assumption that the third party is insured.
With venders such as electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc., it is important to procure certificates of insurance from their own insurance company, naming your church as Additional Insured, for both General Liability and Workers Comp.
With rental churches it is important to procure Certificates of Insurance naming your church as Additional Insured, with General Liability, Products and Completed Operations, Property Damage Liability and Med Pay coverage for slips and falls.
With third-party entities that use your facility for a one-time event, it is important to procure Certificates of Insurance naming your church as Additional Insured with General Liability, Products and Completed Operations, Property Damage Liability and Med Pay coverage for slips and falls.
When dealing with a public program such as a Head Start or a Charter School, your church will most likely be required to produce a Certificate to the Unified School District or Municipality to prove that your church has coverage even though they are renting space from you. Your church should in turn, request a Certificate of Insurance from the public entity naming your church as Additional Insured. This situation is known in the insurance industry as “Reciprocal Certificates”.
MCIC welcomes the opportunity to review all Certificates of Liability issued to your church. Many times we will be able to recommend adjustments to the Certificate that will better protect your church’s interests.