Host Ron Wadley continues his conversation with Executive Pastor Liam, shifting from building risks to the church’s most vulnerable areas: people and data. He stresses that children’s outreach creates high legal exposure without a documented safety plan, strong screening practices, two-adult supervision, and a six-month membership rule, plus abuse and molestation insurance. The episode covers training needs for volunteer safety teams and staff risk management through background checks, onboarding materials, and workers’ compensation coverage. Wadley also highlights directors and officers insurance to protect board members’ personal assets and urges churches to adopt data security plans and cyber liability insurance to recover from cyberattacks.

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00:00 Show Introduction

00:21 Why People Are Vulnerable

01:14 Child Safety Protocols

02:01 Abuse Coverage Insurance

02:15 Volunteer Security Training

02:39 Staff Hiring And HR

03:08 Workers Comp Essentials

03:23 Board Liability Protection

03:44 Cyber Risk Planning

04:15 Wrap Up And Next Steps

Host Ron Wadley of Insurance for Texans begins a two-part series on assessing church risk. The episode uses the story of Liam, who is an executive pastor in Fort Worth. Ron walks Liam through physical-infrastructure risks in Texas. He talks about the need for proper property coverage, roof durability, and how hail claims, high deductibles, actual cash value payouts, and roof age depreciation can affect recoveries. They review visitor-path hazards like cracked sidewalks, uneven steps, and loose handrails. Ron clarifies what general liability covers, especially legal defense for slip-and-fall and property-damage claims. In the kitchen, they address fire risk through hood suppression inspections, grease trap maintenance, and a written fire safety policy for volunteers. They conclude with facility management priorities, including tracking asset lifespans, addressing outdated electrical systems, and maintaining plumbing.

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Download a free copy of our book, The Promise of Certainty, at thepromiseofcertainty.com

00:00 Show Introduction

00:26 Why Risk Assessment Matters

00:32 Meet Liam Expansion Plans

01:37 Property Risks Roof Coverage

02:29 Visitor Safety Liability Basics

03:16 Kitchen Fire Safety

03:51 Facility Maintenance Systems

04:46 Wrap Up Next Episode

Host Ron Wadley of Insurance for Texans explains church insurance coverage through the story of a church trustee in Plano. He reviews key coverages, starting with property insurance that properly defines and values buildings like the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and parsonage. Generic commercial policies may have sub-limits on steeples and stained glass and therefore those items require specialized endorsements. He clarifies replacement cost versus actual cash value payouts and how depreciation can strain budgets after losses like hail. The discussion then covers liability insurance. First, general liability covers visitor injuries and legal defense costs. Directors and officers coverage protects board members’ personal assets. Other liability insurance protections include employment practices liability, workers compensation, commercial auto, abuse and molestation, and cyber liability.

Connect with our church insurance team at insurancefortexans.com

Download a free copy of our book, The Promise of Certainty at thepromiseofcertainty.com

00:00 Show Introduction

00:32 Meet Sarah the Trustee

01:14 Why Coverage Clarity Matters

02:11 Property Insurance Basics

02:54 Replacement Cost vs ACV

03:23 Liability Insurance Overview

03:38 General Liability Protection

04:03 Directors and Officers Risk

04:32 Other Key Coverages

05:12 Relief and Next Steps

05:42 Closing Message

Host Ron Wadley of Insurance for Texans explains why choosing the right insurance broker is one of a church board’s most important decisions by following the story of a trustee named David in Abilene. He is frustrated with the transactional, generic nature of Texas church insurance. David meets with a captive agent from a national firm and sees the risk of being limited to one carrier, leading him to seek an independent broker who works for the church instead. Wadley describes the True Texas Church insurance approach: starting with questions, learning the church’s DNA, and conducting a deep risk assessment into the church’s activities. David values expertise proven during the hard market, access to A-rated carriers, and strong claims support which he finds at Insurance for Texans.

Connect with our church insurance agents at insurancefortexans.com

Get a free copy of our book, The Promise of Certainty, at thepromiseofcertainty.com

00:00 Show Introduction

00:29 Why Broker Choice Matters

00:40 Meet Trustee David

01:19 Captive Agent Red Flags

01:49 Independent Broker Approach

02:03 Deep Dive Risk Review

02:15 Hard Market Experience

02:43 Carrier Access and Claims

03:11 Claims Support and Repairs

03:35 Stewardship Peace of Mind

04:01 Connect and Resources

04:22 Closing Mission Reminder

Host Ron Wadley of Insurance for Texans explains what church insurance typically covers through the story of Annie, a Fort Worth church secretary. Annie learns that actual cash value coverage would only pay the depreciated value of property after damage, leaving the church to fund the replacement-cost gap. A comprehensive commercial property package should cover the building and contents, with specialized endorsements for high-tech or mobile gear like sound systems, instruments, or pipe organs. The episode also highlights a church’s liability coverage needs as well. Beyond general liability, a church needs professional liability for pastoral counseling, sexual abuse and molestation liability if they have a children’s ministry, directors and officers coverage to protect volunteer board members’ personal assets, and cyber liability for risks tied to online giving and member data.

Connect with our church insurance agents at insurancefortexans.com

Get a free copy of our book, The Promise of Certainty, at thepromiseofcertainty.com

00:00 Show Introduction

00:32 Annie Faces Premium Hike

01:50 Renewal Fine Print ACV

02:23 Protecting Specialized Gear

02:58 Counseling Liability Gaps

03:26 Abuse Coverage Exclusions

03:57 Board Protection D and O

04:21 Cyber Risks for Churches

04:57 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Host Ron Wadley explains why Texas churches need specific sexual abuse and molestation coverage. General liability typically covers accidents like slip-and-falls and excludes intentional abuse without an endorsement or standalone policy. Using a story about children’s ministry director Penny, the episode highlights that sexual misconduct policies are often written on a claims-made basis, making the retroactive date critical. Wadley also stresses the high cost of defense, recommending policies with defense costs outside policy limits so legal fees don’t reduce settlement funds. Finally, he notes carriers increasingly require risk-management procedures as conditions of coverage: mandatory background checks, annual prevention training, and a written reporting process involving appropriate contacts and law enforcement.

Connect with our church insurance team at insurancefortexans.com

Get a free copy of our book, The Promise of Certainty, at thepromiseofcertainty.com

00:00 Show Introduction

00:26 Why This Topic Matters

00:40 Penny’s Wake-Up Call

01:31 General Liability Myth

02:23 Occurrence vs Claims-Made

03:05 Retroactive Date Gaps

03:27 Defense Costs Explained

04:12 Risk Management Requirements

04:59 Next Steps and Resources

05:24 Final Stewardship Reminder

Host Ron Wadley of Insurance For Texans explains how Texas church leaders can secure roof coverage and avoid common policy pitfalls. Through the story of Ted, the listener learns about the deductible trap, where roof deductibles are often a percentage of the building’s insured value instead of a flat amount. A potential solution is using a deductible buy-down policy to reduce risk while keeping premiums lower. Ron also highlights the depreciation surprise of actual cash value (ACV) coverage that can reduce claim payouts on older roofs. He discusses the option of standalone hail policies when replacement cost isn’t available. He warns about managed repair programs that limit contractor choice and a church’s control during repairs.

Connect with our church insurance team at insurancefortexans.com

Get a free copy of our book, The Promise of Certainty, at thepromiseofcertainty.com

00:00 Show Introduction

00:27 Roof Coverage Focus

00:34 Ted’s Hail Worry

01:28 The Deductible Trap

02:03 Deductible Buy Down

02:38 Depreciation Surprise

03:19 Standalone Hail Options

03:30 Managed Repair Warning

04:01 Wrap Up and Next Steps

04:56 Final Mission Reminder

In this episode of Faith, Stewardship, & Insurance: Protecting Texas Churches, I delve into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of church insurance: workers' compensation. Join me as I recount a real incident involving a church janitor who faced a life-altering injury, exposing the risks that come with opting out of coverage. Texas laws allow churches to forgo workers' compensation, but this decision can lead to devastating financial repercussions. I’ll clarify the vital differences between general liability and workers' compensation insurance, emphasizing why proper classification of staff is essential for protection. Don't let your church become a liability magnet. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your ministry and ensure you’re not leaving your gates unlocked.

Host Ron Wadley of Insurance for Texans addresses a finance committee’s concerns about unfamiliar insurance carriers, using Phil from an Austin church as an example. After a 2024 non-renewal forced a survival policy during a hard Texas market, Phil wants to take a new look at his church’s insurance. Now in 2026, as the market softens and capacity returns, Ron explains that strong options continue to be the quiet giants like Promont, USLI, and Philadelphia. They are A-rated, stable carriers that market less and work through independent agents. He cautions against unusually low quotes that may remove key protections such as ordinance or law coverage or add roof depreciation terms. Ron clarifies that A-rated surplus lines carriers like Lloyd’s of London or Scottsdale can be flexible for Texas weather risk. He also warns that member-owned programs may include managed repair clauses that restrict contractor choice.

Connect with our church insurance team at insurancefortexans.com

Get a free copy of our book, The Promise of Certainty, at thepromiseofcertainty.com

00:00 Show Introduction

00:26 Phil’s Renewal Panic

01:11 2026 Market Shift

01:38 Quiet Giant Carriers

02:21 Beware Cheap Quotes

03:01 Surplus Lines Explained

03:37 Member Owned Program Traps

04:03 Get Expert Help

04:42 Final Takeaway

In this episode of Faith, Stewardship, & Insurance: Protecting Texas Churches, I, Ron Wadley, guide church leaders through a critical decision that could impact their ministry's future. As we delve into the complexities of church auto insurance, I emphasize the importance of proper coverage for church-owned vehicles. Learn why simply adding a vehicle to a pastor's personal policy is a risky move and how a commercial auto policy provides essential protection. We'll also discuss the potential hazards of using fifteen-passenger vans and the need for adequate liability coverage. Join me as we explore how to safeguard your church's mission and assets against unforeseen challenges, ensuring your ministry continues to thrive. Tune in for expert insights and actionable advice tailored for Texas churches.