Reps. draft bill to prevent insurance companies from canceling policies of torched churches - John Conyers, Cynthia McKinney and Bob Filne support Black churches targeted by arsonists - Brief Article
Concerned House members are on Capitol Hill drafting legislation to prevent insurance companies from canceling insurance policies of churches burned by arsonists.
The coalition includes Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) and Bob Filne (D-CA), who are seeking to stabilize the unsettled conditions in the church insurance business.
Rep. Conyers said that he had been contacted by a number of congregations with complaints and concerns that some insurance companies are refusing to renew church insurance policies or are raising premiums.
“It’s not yet clear if there has been a pattern of cancellation, but even one cancellation would be extremely insensitive and disturbing,” Rep. Conyers said, noting there have been at least six documented cases around the country.
The legislation titled “Protect Our Churches Insurance Act” will (1) prohibit cancellation or failure to renew fire insurance because of religious arson, (2) prohibit increases in premiums, (3) provide that houses of worship cannot be penalized because of arson, and (4) allow penalties to $500,000 for civil violations.
Recognizing that some companies are working to help churches, Rep. McKinney said, “It is our sincere hope that the insurance industry will step forward and make the bid unnecessary.”