Church van insurance
A church van goes on a commercial auto policy in the church's name. Brotherhood Mutual says commercial auto is required for vehicles owned and registered under a ministry's name, and Utah Code 31A-1-301 defines personal lines as coverage sold for primarily noncommercial purposes to an individual or a family. The church's general liability policy does not stand in: the standard ISO form excludes injury arising from any auto the church owns, operates, rents or borrows. Utah Code 31A-22-302 requires the van's policy to carry liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage unless affirmatively waived.
Updated . Written by Andre Beukers, principal at Redoubt, a commercial insurance agency in Salt Lake City, not a government office.
What does church van insurance cover?
A church van goes on a business auto policy. The ISO Business Auto Coverage Form pays what an insured "legally must pay as damages because of 'bodily injury' or 'property damage'" from the use of a covered auto, and defends the insured against the suit. The church is an insured for any covered auto, and so is "anyone else while using with your permission a covered 'auto' you own, hire or borrow." That is what protects a volunteer driving the van to camp. Brotherhood Mutual says its policy "extends liability coverage to your employees and volunteers when operating the ministry's owned vehicles."
Utah Code 31A-22-302 adds uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, unless affirmatively waived, and personal injury protection, which 31A-22-308 extends to riders in the described van. Medical payments comes by endorsement, CA 99 03, which pays medical and funeral expenses for anyone occupying a covered auto. Brotherhood Mutual calls comprehensive and collision optional.
| Coverage | What it pays | Who it protects |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | Damages for injury and property damage the van causes, and the defense | The church and anyone driving its van with permission |
| Personal injury protection (Utah) | PIP benefits for injury in an accident | Riders in the described van, and the named insured |
| Uninsured and underinsured motorist | Injury caused by a driver with too little insurance or none | Riders in the church's van |
| Medical payments (CA 99 03) | Medical and funeral expenses | Anyone in a covered auto, except employees hurt at work |
| Physical damage | Collision, theft, hail and other damage | The church, as owner |
Doesn't the church's liability policy already cover the van?
No. ISO's commercial general liability form, CG 00 01, excludes injury or damage arising out of the use of any auto "owned or operated by or rented or loaned to any insured." The exclusion "applies even if the claims against any insured allege negligence or other wrongdoing in the supervision, hiring, employment, training or monitoring of others," so a claim that the church chose a volunteer driver badly stays outside the liability policy when the van was involved.
Brotherhood Mutual says of its own church package: "No, commercial auto coverage is only available as a separate policy."
Does my personal insurance cover a 15-passenger van?
Brotherhood Mutual says a ministry-owned vehicle goes on a commercial policy: commercial auto "is required to insure vehicles owned and registered under a ministry organization's name." Utah Code 31A-1-301 defines personal lines as coverage "sold for primarily noncommercial purposes to: (a) an individual; or (b) a family," and a church is neither. If the church owns the van, ask the church's insurer, not a member's.
A member's own car on a church errand is a different case: the church protects itself with hired and non-owned auto coverage, which Church Mutual describes as liability "when employees or volunteers use their personal vehicles for your business purposes, or when the organization rents vehicles."
How do you insure a 15-passenger or 12-passenger van?
As a commercial vehicle. Progressive Commercial lists passenger vans among the "commercial business vans" it insures and says they "typically seat 12-15 people and are commonly used by organizations, such as retirement homes and churches, to transport members." The sizes part ways in the insurers' safety guidance, which is written about the 15-passenger van. Church Mutual "recommends organizations not use 15-passenger vans" and, where one is used, to "limit number of passengers to 10." Brotherhood Mutual says to take "no more than nine passengers" and that models produced before 2006 likely lack newer rollover technology.
NHTSA is kinder to newer vans: "thanks to electronic stability control, rollover is no longer a danger for newer 15-passenger vans," though it still says never to carry more than 15 people. GuideOne says the vans "do pose a higher rollover risk than some other vehicles." Have the model year, seat count, and the church's seat belt and loading rules ready for the application.
Is a 15-passenger van considered a commercial vehicle?
For insurance, Brotherhood Mutual puts a church-owned van on a commercial policy, as above. For federal safety rules it turns on pay, seats and weight. FMCSA's definition in 49 CFR 390.5T (eCFR marks 390.5 suspended; 390.5T is the text in force) counts a vehicle in interstate commerce as a commercial motor vehicle when it carries "more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation," more than 15 including the driver without compensation, or has a weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more. A 15-passenger van seats 15 with the driver, so a church carrying its own people free sits at the unpaid line, not over it, unless its weight rating crosses 10,001 pounds.
Charging riders changes that. Under 390.5T a "for-hire motor carrier means a person engaged in the transportation of goods or passengers for compensation," and Church Mutual warns a fee "could be seen as providing a 'for-hire livery service'" that an automobile policy may not cover. Utah Code 31A-22-305 holds anyone who will "accept payment for" carrying people to uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $500,000 per accident. Tell the insurer before the first paid trip.
Does a church bus need different insurance than a church van?
It needs the same kind of policy, with tighter rules at 16 seats. A bus built for more than 15 people, counting the driver, is a commercial motor vehicle under 49 CFR 390.5T in interstate commerce even when nobody pays. The federal passenger-carrier minimums are written for for-hire carriers: 49 CFR 387.27 says the subpart "applies to for-hire motor carriers transporting passengers in interstate or foreign commerce," and 387.33T sets $5,000,000 for 16 seats or more and $1,500,000 for 15 or fewer. eCFR shows 387.33 suspended and 387.33T in force.
A church running its own bus for members, free, is not carrying passengers for compensation under 390.5T, and Utah Code 31A-22-304 sets the floor at $30,000 per person, $65,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage on policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025. Brotherhood Mutual tells ministries to set limits with an agent "based upon your ministry's assets and operations."
How much does church van insurance cost?
No church insurer we checked publishes a figure: Church Mutual's and Brotherhood Mutual's auto pages route to a quote request and print no premium for a van, a 15- or 12-passenger van or a bus (checked October 3, 2026). Progressive says its 2025 average monthly rate for business auto was $276, which its footnote defines as "2025 new policy premium per power unit for liability and physical damage coverage for policies with no driver violations." It does not break out churches or passenger vans, so it is a reference point, not a price.
Progressive says "your rate can vary based on several factors, including driving history, coverage needs, and profession." Church Mutual says "driving beyond a 100-mile radius of your location could cause an increase in your premium." Separately, Brotherhood Mutual says the church submits information for its group of primary drivers, but not for occasional drivers, "those that drive less than 12 times per year."
What to send for a church van policy
Having these ready saves a round of questions.
- 1.The church's legal name and where each van or bus is kept
- 2.Year, make, model, VIN and seat count for each vehicle
- 3.Names, dates of birth and license numbers of regular drivers
- 4.How the vehicles are used: routes, youth trips, camps, out-of-state travel, the longest regular trip
- 5.Whether riders ever pay, and whether the vehicles are lent to other groups
- 6.Whether volunteers drive their own cars for the church, or the church rents vans
- 7.The current declarations page and loss runs, if the church is insured now
- 8.Any limit a school, camp or event host has asked for in writing
Does the church's van policy cover a mission trip to Mexico?
Not under the standard form. The ISO Business Auto Coverage Form's territory is the United States, its territories and possessions, Puerto Rico and Canada; Mexico is not on the list for a van the church owns. Ask the insurer before the trip is booked.
What if the church buys a second van in the middle of the policy?
Under symbol 7, scheduled autos, a newly bought van is covered only if the insurer already covers every auto the church owns for that coverage, or the van replaces one it covered, and the church tells the insurer within 30 days. Call before the first trip.
Does medical payments coverage pay for staff hurt in the church van?
Not while they are working. CA 99 03 excludes bodily injury to the church's employee arising out of and in the course of employment. The clause names employees, not volunteers or other riders; for staff, ask how the church's workers' compensation policy responds.
Where these answers come from
Each entry carries the exact words of the source so you can check it yourself. Forms, rules and carrier pages change; read the current version before acting.
- 1. Utah Code 31A-1-301(147), definition of personal lines insurance
“"Personal lines insurance" means property and casualty insurance coverage sold for primarily noncommercial purposes to: (a) an individual; or (b) a family.”
le.utah.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Versioned file effective May 1, 2024, the current default version on le.utah.gov. - 2. Utah Code 31A-22-302(1), required components of motor vehicle insurance policies
“(b) uninsured motorist coverage under Section 31A-22-305, unless affirmatively waived under Subsection 31A-22-305(5); (c) underinsured motorist coverage under Section 31A-22-305.3, unless affirmatively waived under Subsection 31A-22-305.3(3); and (d) except as provided in Subsection (2) and subject to Subsection (4), personal injury protection under Sections 31A-22-306 through 31A-22-309.”
le.utah.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Subsection (1)(a), just before this, requires liability coverage under 31A-22-303 and 31A-22-304. Version effective May 6, 2026. - 3. Utah Code 31A-22-308(3), persons covered by personal injury protection
“any other natural person whose injuries arise out of an automobile accident occurring: (a) while the person occupies a motor vehicle described in the policy with the express or implied consent of the named insured”
le.utah.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Version effective May 7, 2025. - 4. Utah Code 31A-22-304(2), minimum liability limits from January 1, 2025
“a policy issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, containing motor vehicle liability coverage may not limit the insurer's liability under that coverage below the following: (a) (i) $30,000”
le.utah.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. The same subsection sets $65,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage, or a $90,000 single limit. - 5. Utah Code 31A-22-304(2)(a)(ii), per-accident bodily injury minimum
“in the amount of $65,000 because of liability for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons arising out of the use of a motor vehicle in any one accident”
le.utah.gov, accessed October 3, 2026 - 6. Utah Code 31A-22-305(5)(b)(i), uninsured motorist coverage for paid passenger transport
“All persons, including governmental entities, that are engaged in the business of, or that accept payment for, transporting natural persons by motor vehicle, and all school districts that provide transportation services for their students, shall provide coverage for all motor vehicles used for that purpose, by purchase of a policy of insurance or by self-insurance, uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $500,000 per accident.”
le.utah.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. The rejection right in Subsection (5)(a) does not reach these carriers. Version effective May 6, 2026. - 7. 49 CFR 390.5T, definition of commercial motor vehicle, paragraphs (2) and (3), eCFR
“(2) Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or (3) Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation”
ecfr.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Paragraph (1) of the definition covers a GVWR or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more; the definition applies to vehicles used in interstate commerce. eCFR marks 390.5 suspended indefinitely; 390.5T is the text in force and prints the same wording. - 8. 49 CFR 390.5T, definition of for-hire motor carrier, eCFR
“For-hire motor carrier means a person engaged in the transportation of goods or passengers for compensation.”
ecfr.gov, accessed October 3, 2026 - 9. 49 CFR 387.27(a), applicability of passenger-carrier financial responsibility, eCFR
“This subpart applies to for-hire motor carriers transporting passengers in interstate or foreign commerce.”
ecfr.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Paragraph (b) lists exceptions, among them vehicles carrying only school children and teachers to or from school. - 10. 49 CFR 387.33T, schedule of limits for for-hire passenger carriers, eCFR
“(a) Any vehicle with a seating capacity of 16 passengers or more, including the driver $5,000,000 (b) Any vehicle with a seating capacity of 15 passengers or less, including the driver 1,500,000”
ecfr.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Rows of a table. eCFR notes that 387.33 was suspended effective January 14, 2017; 387.33T carries the same figures and is the text in force. - 11. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section II.A, Covered Autos Liability Coverage
“We will pay all sums an "insured" legally must pay as damages because of "bodily injury" or "property damage" to which this insurance applies, caused by an "accident" and resulting from the ownership, maintenance or use of a covered "auto".”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. - 12. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section II.A, duty to defend
“We have the right and duty to defend any "insured" against a "suit" asking for such damages”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. The sentence continues "or a 'covered pollution cost or expense'", and the next sentence removes the duty for suits the insurance does not apply to. - 13. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section II.A.1, Who Is An Insured
“The following are "insureds": a. You for any covered "auto". b. Anyone else while using with your permission a covered "auto" you own, hire or borrow except:”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. The exceptions that follow include the owner of a hired or borrowed auto and an employee driving an auto the employee owns. - 14. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section I.B, autos acquired after the policy begins
“But, if Symbol 7 is entered next to a coverage in Item Two of the Declarations, an "auto" you acquire after the policy period begins will be a covered "auto" for that coverage only if: a. We already cover all "autos" that you own for that coverage or it replaces an "auto" you previously owned that had that coverage; and b. You tell us within 30 days after you acquire it”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. - 15. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section IV.B.7, Policy Period, Coverage Territory
“The coverage territory is: (1) The United States of America; (2) The territories and possessions of the United States of America; (3) Puerto Rico; (4) Canada; and”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. Item (5) extends the territory worldwide only for a private passenger auto leased, hired, rented or borrowed without a driver for 30 days or less. - 16. ISO CA 99 03 10 13, Auto Medical Payments Coverage, A. Coverage
“We will pay reasonable expenses incurred for necessary medical and funeral services to or for an "insured" who sustains "bodily injury" caused by "accident".”
iiat.org, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. - 17. ISO CA 99 03 10 13, Auto Medical Payments Coverage, B.3, Who Is An Insured
“Anyone else "occupying" a covered "auto" or a temporary substitute for a covered "auto".”
iiat.org, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. - 18. ISO CA 99 03 10 13, Auto Medical Payments Coverage, exclusion C.4
“"Bodily injury" to your "employee" arising out of and in the course of employment by you.”
iiat.org, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. The exclusion goes on to restore coverage for domestic employees not entitled to workers' compensation. - 19. ISO CA 99 03 10 13, Auto Medical Payments Coverage, forms it modifies
“This endorsement modifies insurance provided under the following: AUTO DEALERS COVERAGE FORM BUSINESS AUTO COVERAGE FORM MOTOR CARRIER COVERAGE FORM”
iiat.org, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. - 20. ISO CG 00 01 12 25, Commercial General Liability Coverage Form, exclusion 2.g, Aircraft, Auto Or Watercraft
“"Bodily injury" or "property damage" arising out of the ownership, maintenance, use or entrustment to others of any aircraft, "auto" or watercraft owned or operated by or rented or loaned to any insured.”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. - 21. ISO CG 00 01 12 25, Commercial General Liability Coverage Form, exclusion 2.g, negligent supervision clause
“This exclusion applies even if the claims against any insured allege negligence or other wrongdoing in the supervision, hiring, employment, training or monitoring of others by that insured”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Read from the copy in Redoubt's forms library, fetched from this URL. The sentence continues: if the occurrence involved an auto owned or operated by or rented or loaned to an insured. - 22. Brotherhood Mutual, Auto Insurance, FAQ: What is a commercial auto policy?
“It is required to insure vehicles owned and registered under a ministry organization’s name. It extends liability coverage to your employees and volunteers when operating the ministry’s owned vehicles.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026. An insurer describing its own policy. The page prints no premium figure. - 23. Brotherhood Mutual, Auto Insurance, FAQ on its property and liability policy
“Does my Brotherhood Mutual property & liability policy include commercial auto? No, commercial auto coverage is only available as a separate policy.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 24. Brotherhood Mutual, Auto Insurance, FAQ: What is a commercial auto policy?
“A commercial auto policy provides property damage and bodily injury liability coverage and optional comprehensive and collision coverage.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 25. Brotherhood Mutual, Auto Insurance, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
“Protects your ministry if an uninsured/ underinsured driver causes bodily harm to occupants of a ministry-owned vehicle.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 26. Brotherhood Mutual, Auto Insurance, Vehicle Physical Damage Coverage
“Applies to damages your insured vehicle sustains in a collision, and non-collision situations, like theft or hail damage.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 27. Brotherhood Mutual, Auto Insurance, FAQ: Who is allowed to drive ministry vehicles under a commercial policy?
“You will submit information for the group of primary drivers. The information of your occasional drivers—those that drive less than 12 times per year—does not need to be submitted, but we still recommend completing a background check.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 28. Brotherhood Mutual, Ins & Outs of Protecting Ministry Autos and Drivers
“It's important to work with an agent to determine what limits are recommended based upon your ministry’s assets and operations.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 29. Brotherhood Mutual, Follow 15-Passenger Van Safety Guidelines
“Limit Occupants. Take no more than nine passengers.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Article posted 2018. The insurer's own guidance to the ministries it insures. - 30. Brotherhood Mutual, Follow 15-Passenger Van Safety Guidelines, rollover technology
“New 15-passenger vans come equipped with advanced safety technology that help address their risk of rolling over. Features include automatic emergency braking, collision and lane departure warnings, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and more. Older models, especially those produced before 2006, likely don’t have this technology.”
brotherhoodmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 31. Church Mutual, Commercial Auto Insurance
“Commercial auto insurance is a type of coverage designed specifically for vehicles used as part of an organization’s operations.”
churchmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026. The page routes to a quote request and prints no premium figure. - 32. Church Mutual, 15-passenger vans require extra care
“Church Mutual recommends organizations not use 15-passenger vans; however, if you must use one, become familiar with the dangers and take steps to keep your travel safe.”
churchmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Article dated May 19, 2021. - 33. Church Mutual, 15-passenger vans require extra care, transportation tips
“Always load the van from front to back — filling front seats first. Limit number of passengers to 10.”
churchmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 34. Church Mutual, To loan your vehicle or not, that is the question
“Transporting others for a fee could be seen as providing a “for-hire livery service,” which may not be covered under your automobile insurance policy.”
churchmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Article dated September 28, 2023. - 35. Church Mutual, To loan your vehicle or not, that is the question, where the vehicle is driven
“Driving beyond a 100-mile radius of your location could cause an increase in your premium.”
churchmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 36. Church Mutual, Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance
“Hired and non-owned auto coverages provide liability coverage for organizations when employees or volunteers use their personal vehicles for your business purposes, or when the organization rents vehicles.”
churchmutual.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 37. GuideOne, Safe Travels: 15-Passenger Vans
“While 15-passenger vans can provide great benefit to your organization, they do pose a higher rollover risk than some other vehicles.”
guideone.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 38. Progressive Commercial, Commercial Van Insurance, common business vans
“We provide insurance coverage for various types of commercial business vans, such as:”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. The list that follows names cargo vans, passenger vans and minivans. - 39. NHTSA, 15-Passenger Vans, driver assistance technologies
“In fact, thanks to electronic stability control, rollover is no longer a danger for newer 15-passenger vans.”
nhtsa.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Read in a browser; nhtsa.gov returns 403 to curl. The older /road-safety/15-passenger-vans address redirects here. - 40. NHTSA, 15-Passenger Vans, safety precautions, occupancy
“Never allow more than 15 people to ride in a 15-passenger van. Fill the seats from front to back: when the van is not full, passengers should sit in seats that are in front of the rear axle.”
nhtsa.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Read in a browser; nhtsa.gov returns 403 to curl. - 41. Progressive Commercial, Commercial Van Insurance, passenger vans
“Passenger vans typically seat 12-15 people and are commonly used by organizations, such as retirement homes and churches, to transport members.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. A carrier describing vehicles it insures. - 42. Progressive Commercial, Commercial Auto Insurance Cost, business auto
“Average cost of commercial auto insurance by business type Business auto Average monthly rate: $276”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. What Progressive says about its own 2025 policies. The page defines business auto as covering "cars, SUVs, small trucks, and vans" and gives no church or passenger-van figure. - 43. Progressive Commercial, Commercial Auto Insurance Cost, disclosure for the average rates
“2025 new policy premium per power unit for liability and physical damage coverage for policies with no driver violations.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. The footnote marked ‡‡ on the page. - 44. Progressive Commercial, Commercial Auto Insurance Cost, rate factors
“Your rate can vary based on several factors, including driving history, coverage needs, and profession.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026
A church or nonprofit is putting volunteers behind the wheel of a van
12- and 15-passenger vans, volunteer drivers, CDL and USDOT questions, and what the church's policy must say.
Elsewhere on the site
Putting a church van or bus on the road?
Send Redoubt the van's year, make and seat count, who drives it and where it goes. We will talk through the coverages and limits that fit how your church uses it, and what the insurer will want to know.
This is general insurance information, not legal advice or a coverage determination. The policy forms, the endorsements the carrier issues, and the requirement in writing from whoever is asking control.