Churches have to invest wisely in insurance. After all, it’s there to provide significant support to your overall risk management strategy. Still, your budget is not unlimited, and you often have to work within relatively tight constraints in order to get the best balance of both affordability and benefits.

The good news is that it is possible to make your church’s insurance more affordable, and this often involves making a concerted effort to reduce liabilities on your part. While this might seem concerning at first glance, it is actually relatively easy in most cases.

Keep a few of these tips in mind when trying to maximize your cost savings:

• Install and use a central security system. Yes, it's a church and you would think people would respect it. But desperate actors won’t be deterred from breaking into churches when the buildings are unoccupied. So, talk with your agent about what type of security system is best for you, and whether you can qualify for a discount by using it.
• For the best security, consider getting an automatic fire detection system with 24-hour monitoring. Unlike the sprinkler heads in the building — which are supposed to help put out the fire — a monitoring system will alert the fire department at the first sign of a fire. That means firefighters could get on scene faster and possibly save more of the building.
• Keep all valuables and money locked away when not in use. Even items such as communion services, metal plating and other ornaments of the church are vulnerable to theft. They should be kept in a safe except when they are used for services.
• Keep the doors locked, even when people are at work in the space. There is no need to have people wandering around, and prying into off-limits spaces, at times when there is little traffic in the church. Frustrate a thief before they think about breaking in.
• Make your use of lighting a strategic one. While using more lighting might raise electricity bills, it can deter potential thieves. People are more likely to break into a dark building than a well-lit one. You can also install lighting timers inside the building that comes on randomly, as if someone is inside.

These are simple security strategies, but they can go a long way towards helping you substantially reduce your church’s liabilities in the eyes of your insurer. In the end, this will not only help you make your church safer, but can also help you reduce your insurance premiums. Don’t hesitate to work with one of our agents to determine how best to optimize your benefits.

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