By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources DALLAS, Texas – While the winds and rains from Hurricane Harvey have finally begun to taper off for residents along the Texas and Louisiana coastlines, the cleanup effort will likely be measured in months and years — not days and weeks. To aid churches as they face the daunting tasks of rebuilding, GuideStone® offers tips for churches and ministries faced with property damage and claims. Gaelen Cole, senior manager of risk and compliance for GuideStone’s Property and Casualty area says churches should consider four main steps: First, promptly report the claim, even though the extent of the damage may not be fully known. Those insured through GuideStone’s Property and Casualty partner Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company should call them at 1-800-333-3371. Second, Cole said almost every policy requires that reasonable steps be taken to protect covered property to avoid further loss. The costs may be covered under the policy, so prompt reporting of the claim can allow for discussions of that coverage with your insurance carrier. Third, it’s important to have a thorough review of the property, looking for damage that may not be as evident. “Some churches, especially … [Read more...]