Church Insurance in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah-area churches need property coverage, general liability, workers' compensation (if 3+ employees), and abuse and molestation coverage at minimum. Coastal churches also need wind and flood policies separate from standard property insurance. MinistrySure is an independent insurance agency that works exclusively with churches and ministries across Georgia — including Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan counties.

Savannah's church history stretches back nearly three centuries. Christ Church (1733) and First African Baptist Church (1773) are among the oldest congregations in America, and the city's historic district is filled with churches whose architecture is both irreplaceable and expensive to insure. From these landmark sanctuaries to growing churches in Pooler and Richmond Hill, every Savannah-area congregation faces insurance questions shaped by coastal weather, historic preservation, and local building codes. Our team has served more than 700 Georgia ministries and understands the coverage needs unique to coastal Georgia churches.

What Savannah Churches Need to Know About Insurance

Savannah churches face distinct insurance challenges including hurricane and coastal storm exposure with 2-5% wind deductibles, mandatory separate flood coverage for churches in FEMA flood zones, and historic building replacement costs that can run two to three times standard construction estimates. Coastal Georgia's weather patterns and preservation requirements make proper valuation and wind coverage critical for every Savannah-area church.

Hurricane and Coastal Storm Exposure

Savannah sits directly in the path of Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane Matthew (2016) caused widespread damage across Chatham County, and Hurricane Irma (2017) followed a year later. Coastal churches face wind deductibles — typically 2-5% of the insured building value — which means a church insured for $2 million could owe $40,000 to $100,000 out of pocket before insurance pays. Understanding your wind deductible and planning for it financially is one of the most important insurance decisions a Savannah church can make.

Named storm deductibles, percentage-based wind deductibles, and separate hurricane deductibles all work differently. We review these provisions line by line so your church leadership knows exactly what they're responsible for before a storm arrives.

Flood Zone Risk

Chatham County contains some of the most flood-prone areas in Georgia. Many Savannah churches sit in or near FEMA-designated flood zones — including churches in the historic district, Midtown, and areas near tidal marshes. Standard property insurance does not cover flood damage. A separate flood policy is essential, and the cost varies significantly depending on your zone, elevation, and building construction. Churches outside mapped flood zones should still consider coverage — more than 25% of flood claims nationally come from properties outside high-risk zones.

Historic Building Replacement Costs

Savannah's historic district churches contain irreplaceable architectural features — hand-laid brick, ornamental plaster, custom stained glass, slate roofs, and wooden structural elements that cannot be replaced with modern materials at modern prices. Restoration after a loss often requires historically appropriate materials and specialized craftsmen. A church insured at standard replacement cost may find that actual restoration costs are two to three times the insured value.

If your church is in the Savannah Historic District or on any historic register, your policy should reflect the true cost of restoration — not just generic replacement. We work with carriers who understand the difference between rebuilding a modern structure and restoring a 200-year-old sanctuary.

Coverage Types for Savannah-Area Churches

Savannah-area churches typically need property insurance, wind and hurricane coverage, separate flood insurance, general liability, workers' compensation, abuse and molestation coverage, directors and officers liability, commercial auto, cyber liability, umbrella liability, and employment practices liability. Coastal location adds wind deductible considerations and flood requirements that inland Georgia churches don't face.

• Property insurance — covers your buildings, contents, equipment, and signage at replacement cost.
• Wind/hurricane coverage — may require a separate policy or endorsement in coastal Chatham County. Pay close attention to deductible structure.
• Flood insurance — separate from property coverage. Essential for churches in or near FEMA flood zones.
• General liability — covers bodily injury and property damage from church operations and events.
• Workers' compensation — required by Georgia law for churches with three or more employees (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-2).
• Abuse and molestation coverage — non-negotiable for any church with children's or youth ministry. Standard liability policies exclude these claims.
• Directors and officers (D&O) — protects board members, elders, and deacons from personal liability for decisions made in their official capacity.
• Commercial auto — covers church-owned vehicles. Hired and non-owned auto covers liability when staff or volunteers drive personal vehicles for church business.
• Cyber liability — covers data breaches, ransomware, and online giving platform incidents.
• Umbrella liability — provides an additional layer above your general liability, auto, and employer's liability limits.
• Employment practices liability (EPLI) — covers claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment from employees.

For a detailed breakdown of each coverage type and what it costs, see our complete guide to church insurance in Georgia.

Why Savannah Churches Choose MinistrySure

Savannah churches choose MinistrySure because we work exclusively with churches and ministries, we're authorized Brotherhood Mutual agents, both owners are Brotherhood Mutual Agents of the Year, and our 11-person team has served 700+ Georgia ministries including coastal congregations. Our office is in Loganville — about four hours from Savannah — and every person on our team was hired to serve churches.

We only do ministry insurance. No commercial accounts, no personal lines. Every policy we write is for a church, school, or ministry. When you call, everyone on our team speaks your language.

Brotherhood Mutual access. As authorized Brotherhood Mutual agents, we give your church access to a carrier built specifically for ministry — including coverages like counseling liability, armed security team coverage, and mission trip insurance that standard carriers often exclude.

A dedicated advisor who knows your church. You get a person — not a call center. Your advisor knows your buildings, your programs, and your budget. When something changes, you reach the person who can help.

700+ Georgia ministries served. Both owners — Matthew and Michael Campbell — are Brotherhood Mutual Agents of the Year. Our 11-person team has served churches of every size across Georgia, including churches along the coast.

We start with a conversation, not a sales pitch. A coverage review is a no-obligation comparison of your current insurance. We review your policies, identify gaps, and present options — with no pressure to switch.

Serving the Savannah-Area Church Community

MinistrySure serves churches throughout the greater Savannah area, including Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan counties. From historic downtown congregations with 200-year-old sanctuaries to growing church plants in Pooler and Richmond Hill, we build coverage programs that account for coastal weather, historic preservation requirements, and how your ministry actually operates.

• Chatham County — Historic District, Midtown Savannah, Southside, Pooler, Tybee Island, Garden City, Thunderbolt
• Effingham County — Rincon, Springfield, Guyton
• Bryan County — Richmond Hill, Pembroke

Whether your church is a historic downtown congregation with a 200-year-old sanctuary or a growing church plant in Pooler, we build coverage programs that fit how your ministry actually operates.

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