Sometimes your ministry may need to borrow or rent a vehicle for a special event. If there’s an accident and the vehicle owner doesn’t carry enough insurance to cover the resulting damage, the driver’s insurance could come into play. This checklist covers the following questions:
BORROWING A VEHICLE
Do you make sure that all employees, volunteers, and others who use their vehicles for church or ministry activities have auto insurance coverage in place, and that they understand that their auto insurance policy (not the church’s) is responsible for covering any damage in the event of an accident?
Do you make sure that all drivers understand that their auto insurance may become involved, especially if an accident is their fault?
Do you give vehicle owners the opportunity to approve or disapprove of the drivers who operate their vehicles on the ministry’s behalf?
Do you verify that the borrowed vehicle is in good working order?
RENTING A VEHICLE
Do you know how much liability and physical damage protection the rental agency provides with the vehicle?
If the rental agency provides no physical damage protection (comprehensive or collision), do you buy supplemental coverage before picking up the vehicle, or confirm with your insurance agent that your policy provides such coverage (including loss of use)?
Do you make sure that the only people who operate the vehicle are the ones registered with the rental agency?
