Introduction
Catholic Church Insurances Limited has been serving the Church in Australia since 1911.
Not only are we one of the oldest insurance companies in Australia, it is unparalleled in its understanding of the unique risks of Church organisations, properties, schools and health and aged care facilities.
Our heritage provides the basis for the structure and philosophy of our company. From our very beginnings, when the idea of the Church setting up its own insurance company was first raised, the principles on which the company was founded have remained constant, to develop specialist products and services which are able to meet the needs of Church, to keep control of insurance costs and to retain any surplus within Church.
Many of our early initiatives still exist today, such as:
The Master Policy program:
- Free personal accident insurance cover for every priest, brother and sister active in Church service.
- Free overseas travel insurance for Bishops and Religious Leaders.
- Evacuation and alarm programs for schools.
- A property valuation service at no cost to clients.
Some of our more recent initiatives include risk management assessments and audits, student accident insurance to reduce the risk of liability claims against schools, the School Community Safety Program for schools and the development of professional standards in pastoral ministries and outreach services.
As a wholly Church owned business, our responsibility to our Church clients is much greater than the responsibility afforded by a commercial insurer. Notwithstanding the prudential and regulatory obligations required by governments and regulatory bodies, our responsibility extends to mutual care.
Beyond our insurance operations, Catholic Church Insurances Limited and our staff actively engage in the wider Church community. The company has long standing relationships with Catholic Health Australia, the Australian Primary Principals Association, Catholic Social Services Australia, Australian Catholic Press Association and the Catholic Development Funds.
We manage a balance between the prudential demands of running an insurance company and being part of the Church community. Each decision is measured against our values of fairness, honesty and commitment to serve.
Operating under mutual principles we are able to put Church interests before company profits. When an operating surplus is achieved, a significant proportion is returned to the Church by way of dividends, rebates and grants. We have returned in excess of $152 million in the last 28 years to further the missions of Church.
Catholic Church Insurances Limited is a truly different type of insurance company, one that genuinely cares for its clients.
A team of mobile service staff are located in each state of Australia and available to provide personal service. Our service team travels many thousands of kilometres each year, going as far a field as the missions at Cape York and the offshore islands.
In the event of a claim, we act promptly, not only to restore or repair the loss, but also to support those who are affected. Whilst the insurance industry has many rules about how customers should be serviced, what information they must receive and by what code of practice our staff members should abide, as a Church organisation our staff are more naturally aware of the importance of fairness, clear communication and caring service.
Catholic Church Insurances Limited is part of the community we serve and that gives us an even greater incentive to do the very best that we can.
In June 2007, Catholic Church Insurances Limited became the Official Insurance Partner of
World Youth Day 2008 which will be held in Sydney Australia in July 2008.
