Church campuses may include sanctuaries, schools, childcare, offices, fellowship halls, kitchens, residences, gyms, vehicles, specialized sound and video systems, archives, and historic features. A property loss can interrupt worship and multiple ministries even when part of the campus remains open.
The objective is to preserve an accurate record before water dries, components are discarded, buildings are repaired, financial records become difficult to reconstruct, or the parties take fixed positions without complete information.
Create a campus and ministry map
Identify each building, room, roof, system, and insured location, then list the worship, education, childcare, office, food, recreation, and outreach functions served.
Use these identifiers in photographs, estimates, inventories, schedules, and temporary-operation records.
Inventory specialized property carefully
Record instruments, sound and video systems, lighting, pews, stained glass, art, archives, curriculum, kitchen equipment, vehicles, and donated items.
Use model and serial numbers, photographs, purchase or donor records, appraisals, condition, and qualified restoration or replacement opinions.
Track continuity costs and restoration decisions
Keep calendars, attendance or enrollment, closure notices, temporary-space agreements, rentals, transportation, storage, security, communications, and added staffing.
Document permits, design, code, procurement, phased work, reopening, and why each temporary measure was reasonable.
Evidence checklist
- Campus, building, room, roof, and system diagrams
- Before-and-after photographs, inventories, fixed-asset, donation, and purchase records
- Service schedules, calendars, school enrollment, programs, events, and closures
- Temporary-space, equipment rental, transportation, storage, and security costs
- Roof, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire, and maintenance records
- Policies, endorsements, estimates, permits, professional fees, and restoration schedules
Read the complete policy and preserve post-loss compliance
Notice, protection of property, inventories, records, inspections, sworn statements, examinations, proof of loss, and other duties vary. Keep requests and responses in writing, document reasonable mitigation, and obtain the complete policy and endorsements before assuming what is or is not covered.
Related claim guide
Church Property Claims
Read the full cause-of-loss, scope, evidence, and frequently asked questions page for this property claim.
View the property-claim guide
About the author
Thomas J. Nessler
Thomas is a partner at Nessler & Associates and represents policyholders in residential and commercial first-party property-insurance disputes.