Churchgoers Get P-C Coverage Break
By Steve Tuckey
NU Online News Service, April 1, 3:05 p.m. EST?Just in case the power of prayer isn't enough, an Iowa insurance company is offering special home and auto injury protection for worshippers engaged in faith-connected activity.[@@]
GuideOne Insurance in West Des Moines said it is the first company to offer special protections to regular churchgoers.
The coverage provides for a waiving of the deductible if an accident takes place while an insured is driving to or from a church service. In addition, church tithing or donations are covered if the insured suffers a loss of income from a disability caused by an accident in an insured auto.
GuideOne spokeswoman Emily Abbass said the definition of church includes a temple or mosque, and all religions are covered. In addition, the church could be a storefront or rented hotel room, "if that is where the regular service is offered."
Ms. Abbass said that the special features were free endorsements to traditionally underwritten policies and therefore did not violate any anti-discrimination guidelines.
GuideOne Chief Executive Officer Jim Wallace said he believed the FaithGuard policies are the first products of their kind targeted to a growing market made up of an estimated 93 million people in the U.S. who actively attend church.
Other policy features include a doubling of medical limits if the insured is involved in an accident while volunteering to drive for a church-sponsored activity.
On the homeowners side, medical limits for an injury are doubled if the policyholder hosts an activity at home on behalf of their church and an attendee is injured during the activity.
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