Workers' Compensation in Ohio: The BWC System
Ohio is a monopolistic workers' comp state: coverage must be purchased through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), not from private insurance carriers, and employers with one or more employees must carry it — churches included. What we do: make sure your BWC coverage coordinates with the rest of your program, and add the pieces BWC doesn't provide (like employers' liability “stop gap” coverage, which Ohio churches need on their package policy because BWC doesn't include it). Many Ohio congregations don't know they're missing stop gap until a claim finds the hole.
Ohio Property Risks
Ohio churches face freeze and water damage (burst pipes in buildings that sit empty most of the week are a classic Ohio church claim), spring wind and hail, and the particular challenge of large, aging urban sanctuaries whose replacement costs have far outrun their insured limits. We re-run valuations at renewal and structure limits — or agreed-value options — that would actually rebuild.
What Drives Church Insurance Cost in Ohio
We do not publish premium figures, because two Ohio congregations of the same size can price very differently. What actually moves the number here is building valuation on older and historic sanctuaries, winter weather exposure, and the programs you operate (workers' compensation is handled separately through the state fund), along with your loss history and the limits your board chooses — particularly the sexual abuse and molestation limit and whether defense costs sit inside or outside it. The only reliable answer is a side-by-side comparison of what the church carriers will do with your specific building, staff and programs, which we prepare at no cost.
Coverage for Ohio Houses of Worship
Most Ohio organizations combine property, general liability, workers' comp, abuse & molestation, D&O, and cyber coverage into one package. We compare specialist church carriers side-by-side and deliver quotes within one business day.