Advice from Baptist Insurance

The latest article from Baptist Insurance highlights its new guidance in light of the current pandemic 

 

COVID-19 and your Baptist Church Insurance policy
In light of current uncertainty caused by the outbreak of COVID-19, we understand that there will inevitably be questions over your church insurance.
 
Please see below the cover that applies to your church insurance policy, which we trust will provide peace of mind.
 

Employees (including clergy, church officials, members and authorised volunteers) working from home
Your church policy includes as standard, cover for contents whilst away from the premises and/or specifically at the homes of employees.
 

Liability - health and safety
Resources for employers are signposted by the Health and Safety Executive on their latest information and advice page. As organisations look to different working models for continuity, they also have useful guidance on homeworking and working alone. 
 
Subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, both Employers’ and Public Liability policies provide an indemnity to the policyholder if they are held legally liable for accidental bodily injury or illness arising in connection with their business.
 

Churches that engage in emergency community support programmes or similar that help supply food and provisions to those affected by the movement restrictions.
We would consider this work to be part of the usual activities of the church. However, we would expect the individual churches to follow Public Health England (or equivalent body)/Government guidance at all times and observe any precautions stipulated by those bodies. There would be no additional premium in respect of these activities.
 

Church premises that are temporarily closed solely due to the COVID-19 outbreak
Church buildings that are temporarily closed are exposed to different and usually greater risk than buildings that are open for regular use.
 
It is a condition of your policy that you advise us when the use of a building ceases on a temporary or permanent basis and we would then may apply restrictions in cover and conditions precedent to cover that need to be complied with. Normally we would also charge an additional premium.
 
However, we can confirm that temporary closure of your church buildings due to the COVID-19 outbreak would not result in us applying restrictions in your cover or charging any additional premium. We do however expect that you manage the risks associated with a closed building and we have therefore developed a guide to help you do this. Please click here to access our guide
 

Outstanding Risk Improvements, periodic conditions & maintenance conditions
Any policy term that requires regular maintenance, inspection or where we have specified completion of a risk improvement by a specified deadline that cannot be fully complied with or fully completed solely due to the COVID-19 outbreak, causing travel restrictions or the lack of availability of contractors or materials will be suspended until,
 

• Government restrictions on public movements have been lifted, or
• the availability of contractors, whichever is the sooner.

Where possible please attempt to comply with the policy terms or complete risk improvements in part or in whole given the circumstances at the time. Please document the steps you have taken with regard to compliance for your records.

All other policy terms, conditions and exception are unchanged.
 
We hope that this provides the reassurance you need in these unprecedented times. If you are unsure about any of the guidance or have any other questions relating to your church insurance please contact us on 0345 070 2223.
 

Want to know more?
For more information and guidance, please visit the Baptist Insurance website. We would also encourage you to continue to monitor and follow the latest government advice, as the situation is evolving rapidly.