A Mississippi church needs coverage that fits its people as well as its building. The law does not require a church to carry workers comp. But a church board should still ask five questions: staff injuries, volunteers, people who drive for the church, abuse claims and board decisions. Flood is a sixth, since standard property policies typically do not cover it.
Fall budget season is a good time to ask them. Scott Insurance Services is an independent agency in Flowood, Mississippi, here since 1954. We write insurance for churches and religious organizations across the state.
| Risk | Ask |
|---|---|
| Staff injuries | Brotherhood Mutual, a church insurer, lists workers comp for staff injuries among typical church coverages. If your church has paid staff, ask what an injury would cost without it. |
| Volunteers | Are volunteers insureds under our liability policy? Is there medical coverage if a volunteer is hurt? |
| People who drive for the church | Consider hired and non-owned auto liability. |
| Abuse claims | Brotherhood Mutual advises checking that the policy does not exclude these claims or set low limits for them. |
| Board decisions | A church board makes budget, hiring and building decisions, so ask whether yours is covered. |
Does a Mississippi church have to carry workers comp?
No, not by law. Nonprofit charitable, fraternal, cultural and religious organizations, domestic servants, farmers and farm labor are exempt. Employers that are exempt may still choose to provide it.
Brotherhood Mutual, a church insurer, lists workers comp for staff injuries among typical church coverages. If your church has paid staff, ask what an injury would cost without it. This rule was checked in October 2026.
Does church insurance cover volunteers?
It can, but check. Brotherhood Mutual calls volunteer coverage an important gap in many standard commercial policies. It also says standard policies may not provide enough medical coverage for volunteer labor.
Ask two questions. Are volunteers insureds under our liability policy? Is there medical coverage if a volunteer is hurt?
Do we need auto coverage if the church owns no van?
Brotherhood Mutual says yes. It says a church needs hired and non-owned auto liability coverage, even if it owns no vehicles. The risk is staff or volunteers driving for church business.
Does church insurance cover abuse allegations?
Only if the policy includes sexual misconduct coverage at an adequate limit. Brotherhood Mutual advises checking that the policy does not exclude these claims or set low limits for them.
Church Mutual, another church insurer, points to appropriate screening, trained and supervised workers, and a written policy. Insurers can ask about all three.
Does the board need its own coverage?
Church Mutual says general liability does not cover board decisions and governance issues. Those need directors and officers insurance. A church board makes budget, hiring and building decisions, so ask whether yours is covered.
Can a church buy flood insurance?
Yes. The National Flood Insurance Program lists houses of worship among non-residential buildings. They can be insured for up to $500,000 on the building and $500,000 on contents.
- Up to $500,000 on the building
- Up to $500,000 on contents
These figures were checked in October 2026.
Source: FEMA / NFIP, Why do I need flood insurance? (brochure, 2025-08)
You do not need to be in a floodplain to buy a policy. A flood policy usually starts 30 days after you buy. There is no wait if you buy while making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage. If a new flood map puts you in a high-risk zone, the wait is one day when you buy within 12 months of the change.
Hurricane season runs to November 30. These figures were checked in October 2026.
Questions Mississippi church boards ask about insurance
Does our church need workers comp?
Not by law. Mississippi's workers comp law excludes nonprofit charitable, fraternal, cultural and religious organizations, among others. An exempt employer may still provide it voluntarily. This rule was checked in October 2026.
Are our volunteers covered?
They can be, but volunteer coverage is a gap in many standard commercial policies, according to Brotherhood Mutual. Ask whether volunteers are insureds and whether there is medical coverage for their injuries.
Do we need auto coverage with no church van?
Consider hired and non-owned auto liability. Staff or volunteers driving for church business can create liability for the church.
How much flood coverage can a church buy?
Through the NFIP, up to $500,000 on the building and $500,000 on contents. These figures were checked in October 2026.
Does general liability cover board decisions?
No. Church Mutual says board decisions and governance issues need directors and officers insurance.
Talk to us before the budget is set
An independent agent can quote more than one insurance company, so your board can compare rates without any pressure. We can walk you through every detail, so your board understands what it is paying for. If your church just wants the basics, we will say so plainly. We explain what your board is signing up for before it buys. The aim is to save money while keeping the coverage your church needs.
See our church insurance, commercial umbrella, flood insurance and commercial auto pages.
Sources
- Mississippi Code 71-3-5
- Brotherhood Mutual, Church insurance and Churches
- Church Mutual, Are you liable? and General liability insurance for nonprofits
- The Hartford, Hired and non-owned auto insurance
- Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Hired, non-owned and drive other car coverages
- FEMA, Why do I need flood insurance?
- FEMA FloodSmart, Buy a policy
- National Hurricane Center, Tropical cyclone climatology
