How has the claims process changed due to COVID-19?
As COVID-19 continues to impact the country, new questions arise daily regarding the operations of businesses and religious organizations, amongst other issues. One insurance-related concern for churches is the claims-handling process for incidents related to the pandemic. The process is typically different for every carrier and this rule still applies today. However, there are some points that may be helpful for your church to consider.
Claims are adjusted by your carrier based on your policy’s language and the facts surrounding the loss.
If you feel you have a claim, it remains important to contact your carrier as soon as possible to discuss your circumstances and potential next steps.
If you have questions regarding your coverage, contact your agent or carrier.
Many carriers post information regarding insurance and COVID-19 on their websites and send details out through email. Take some time to review this information and confirm that you have the correct contact information to report a claim during this time.
Remember that while your insurance agent is available to answer insurance-related questions that arise, they usually play a limited role in the claims process. The claims process is handled by the carrier.
The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve, but ensuring you are well-informed with regards to the claims process for your church can offer you some peace of mind as you strive to protect your people, property, and ministry. Additional questions?
If you have questions regarding your church’s claims process, contact your carrier, as mentioned above. If you have general questions regarding insurance or to learn more about if your coverage is appropriate for your church now and in the future, the United Methodist Insurance Program (powered by our agency partner, Sovereign Insurance Group), is happy to answer your inquiries. Contact UMIP powered by Sovereign at umi@sovinsurance.com or 800.222.4478.
This content has been prepared by United Methodist Insurance Company (UMI) for informational purposes only. No article or document may accurately contemplate all possible scenarios or church resources. As such, this information is meant to foster discussion by the individual church and its members to develop a plan tailored to its own circumstances. UMI is providing this information with no warranties or guarantees of any kind and it should not be viewed as legal, financial, or other professional advice. All liability is expressly disclaimed. Any claim examples described herein are general in nature, may or may not be based on actual claims, and are for informational purposes only. Any coverage available for a claim is determined from the facts and circumstances of the claim as well as the terms and conditions of any applicable policy, including any exclusions or deductibles. In the event of a conflict with the content herein, the terms and conditions of any issued policy will control. Individual coverage may vary and may not be available in all states.
The commercial insurance coverages for United Methodist Insurance are sold and serviced directly or indirectly by Sovereign Insurance Agency (CA Lic. No. 0B01380) ("Sovereign") and underwritten by various available insurance markets. Sovereign pays United Methodist Insurance a royalty for the use of its intellectual property.