PERSONAL PROPERTY OF MINISTERS, EMPLOYEES, RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS
Privately owned property is not covered by these policies unless special arrangements have been made with the Synod Office and confirmation of cover has been received. If that is the case then the value of this property will be shown as a separate item on your insurance invoice and the appropriate premium charged.
Ministers Contents and Personal Property at Church and/or Offices
The ministers’ personal contents at the residence are not insured under the Synod Industrial Special Risks policy, and it is their personal responsibility to arrange insurance cover.
Where the minister also operates from an office located on the Church premises, they should arrange to inform their contents insurers of the address of the Church as a location at which insurer property is located.
The Synod is not responsible for such property and will not accept claims for loss of a ministers’ personal equipment from any cause regardless of its location at the time of loss.
Similarly, we are aware that ministers may use personal musical equipment during services and leave that on site also. This equipment is considered to be used in the course of employment and is therefore their personal responsibility to insure.
Youth Workers
Similar conditions apply as above, however if there are special circumstances, then full details should be forwarded by the Church Council to the Manager, Risk Insurance Group for consideration.
As a general rule, property owned by employees will only be covered under the Synod policy where the congregation or organisation is not in a position to supply equipment to enable the employee carry out their normal duties. Where the employee provides equipment merely for their own convenience the Synod Office can not be expected to provide insurance cover against loss.
Confirmation of cover must be held to enable a claim for loss to be accepted.
Members Property
Where members provide equipment in the above circumstances the same principle will apply.
In the case of musical equipment used in worship, only where it is not practicable to transport the items from home to the Church on each occasion will cover be granted. Special care needs to be taken to secure this equipment in a separate locked room where practicable when not in use. Preferably this room will not have access by external door or window and have a solid core door and deadlock fitted. External windows should have secure metal grills or bars fitted.
In both of the above situations, where personal laptop computers are involved, then special security precautions should be taken, and preferably taken home each evening where practicable.
If the above is not possible, then the equipment must be stored as noted for musical instruments, or at the very least secured by an appropriate safely cord readily available in computer stores.
Personal property insured under the above special arrangement will require the Church Council/CEO or Director of Organisations to make application to The Manager-Risk Insurance Group in writing setting out the circumstances that warrant the Synod Office providing cover for the items.
A description of the items is to be provided including:
- Make and Model and approximate year of manufacture
- Current Equivalent model replacement value-detail if item is no longer available
- Details of security provided for the equipment
Confirmation in writing of the decision of the Insurance Office will be provided, and an account for the levy applied will follow in due course.
