Make sure the wheels on your church bus go round and round
Vehicle maintenance helps your ministry be a good steward of its resources. You can reduce the potential for a mechanical issue affecting your ability to do ministry by following these simple steps.
Create a maintenance checklist Drafting a list of areas to check on your vehicle and setting a schedule for maintenance checks is key for proper vehicle care. Tires, fluids, windshield wipers, and lights are relatively easy areas to check . Schedule time for a mechanic to check your vehicles major systems like fuel, braking, and exhaust.
Include Preventive Maintenance in the Fleet Schedule Don’t wait until a break down to schedule a visit to a mechanic for maintenance or repairs. Maintenance tasks like oil changes, transmission flushing, and tire rotations are essential to vehicle breakdown prevention. Your mechanic can also identify other wear and tear that could cause costly repairs.
Share ministry vehicle policy with drivers Clearly communicate your ministry vehicle policies with active and potential drivers. Make sure your staff and volunteers understand your ministry’s rules and expectations for all drivers. Include instructions for breakdown and incident response for your drivers.
Develop a relationship with a local mechanic Taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic can help your ministry’s vehicle maintenance effort. Having a consistent maintenance provider can better identify potential problem areas and provide expedited care.
Keep ministry vehicles clean A church van that is presentable and free of trash and debris reflects positively on your ministry. Caring for the interior and regularly washing your vehicle gives you a professional and pleasing image. It will also be easier to identify rust or carpet stains when proper care is given.
When you are covered by UMIP, we will be there when you need us. Churches have unique needs. As a part of the denomination, we understand the unique needs of United Methodist churches and their operations, which is reflected in our coverage options. Your ministry deserves outstanding insurance and UMIP works for you each day to help protect your church’s people, property, and finances.
Let's talk! Contact us at 484-654-3380 or at UMI@sovinsurance.com.
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.