Church Mutual and The Hartford Steam Boiler have collaborated on an IoT-based turnkey monitoring system to help churches manage risk.
The companies started a two-year pilot program in 2014, testing temperature and water sensors in properties Church Mutual underwrites. A reported $250,000 in damages was prevented across 14 different churches, according to the companies. The remotely operated sensors are set up in “vulnerable areas” of a building. Alerts are then sent via text message, email or phone to customers.
“This will be a game changer for our customers,” said Cheryl Kryshak, Church Mutual’s vice president, risk control, in a statement. “There are smartphones, smart cars and smart houses – why not smart houses of worship?”
Hartford Steam Boiler is developing its IoT service offerings to target insurance providers, it said. The program is customized to reflect the types of businesses insurers cover, helping policyholders identify exposures and interpret data along the way.
“The rapid advances of new technologies are increasing the demand for value-added services that are included with insurance coverage,” said Greg Barats, president and chief executive officer of Hartford Steam Boiler. “This use of sensor technology provides an easy and effective way to help prevent losses and reduce the damage when a loss does occur.”
