Implementation of mutual insurance “against fire” of buildings of the ecclesiastical department in Russia in 1910-1917 (based on materials from the Ust-Sysolsk Uyezd of the Vologda province)

The paper deals with the study of the pre-revolutionary experience of mutual insurance against fires of real estate of the Russian Orthodox Church. Based on financial and office documents of the Ust-Sysolsk Uyezd of the Vologda province, the process of practical implementation of insurance of buildings of the ecclesiastical department on the principles of reciprocity is recreated. The regulatory framework for mutual insurance was based on the legislative act of 1904, but the insurance assessment of buildings was carried out only in 1910. Information is provided on the structure of insurance documents, cases of fires and payments for damage “from fire” from sources deposited in the funds of the Russian State Historical Archive. By January 1, 1911, diocesan buildings in the Russian Empire were insured for over 800 million rubles, in the Ust-Sysolsk Uyezd – for over 859 thousand rubles. Information on the number of insured buildings and their insurance assessment, the amount of annual premiums and compensations for insurance cases in the Ust-Sysolsk Uyezd is systematized. The analyzed materials made it possible to correlate insurance premiums and insurance business costs, to access both the negative aspects and the benefits of mutual insurance for policyholders. The author comes to the conclusion that the practices of mutual real estate insurance, organized by the Holy Synod, demonstrate valuable experience in finding solutions to eliminate material damage “from fire”, when fire losses were compensated through small contributions. Insurance on the principles of rerciprocity was most important for regional parishes, that did not have large incomes and were often unable to independantly restore destroyed buildings. Due to compensations, it was possible to repair and restore many buildings of the ecclesiastical department. Despite bureaucratic, travel, and clerical expenses for insurance business, the remaining funds allowed to form a “reserve capital”, that performed the function of a reserve fund.