How CVA Mutual works
A simple, member-based approach to protection, designed for Christian organisations
A simple approach
CVA Mutual is built around a straightforward idea: organisations come together, contribute to a shared fund, and support one another when needed.
This approach is designed to be practical, transparent, and aligned with the interests of participating members.
How it works in practice
Join
Eligible organisations join the mutual by entering into a Participation Agreement and providing the information needed to assess their organisation and risk profile. Members become part of a shared protection community established for the benefit of CVA organisations.
Contribute
Members make contributions to a shared fund that exists to support the mutual and its participants. These contributions are not paid to an external insurer. They are used to strengthen the mutual, support members, and build long-term resilience.
Be Protected
When an event occurs, support can be requested and is considered within the mutual’s Protection Wording and Participation Terms. Decisions are made within a structured governance framework, with a focus on fair outcomes for members.
What supports the mutual
CVA Mutual is not informal or ad hoc. It is supported by professional administration, governance and oversight, and financial reinsurance protections.
Professional administration
Day-to-day management, underwriting, and claims handling are carried out by Baptist Insurance Services (BIS), an experienced provider operating within an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) framework.
Governance and oversight
The mutual operates under formal governance arrangements, with clear processes for decision-making, claims assessment, and member oversight.
Discretion is exercised within this framework, not arbitrarily, with accountability and documented processes in place.
Reinsurance protection
Reinsurance arrangements sit behind the mutual to provide capacity for large or catastrophic events, supporting stability from day one.
An important distinction
CVA Mutual is not traditional insurance.
Traditional insurance is based on a contract that requires payment when specific conditions are met.
CVA Mutual operates differently. It is a discretionary model, meaning support is considered within a structured framework rather than being determined solely by technical policy wording.
This allows decisions to take into account context, fairness, and the interests of the member community, particularly in situations where real-world circumstances do not fit neatly within rigid definitions.
Discretion does not mean random or uncertain. It operates within formal governance, oversight, and documented processes designed to ensure consistency and accountability.
What members receive
Members of CVA Mutual receive structured protection aligned to the mutual’s Protection Wording and Participation Terms.
This includes:
- Access to protection for agreed risks (starting with ISR at launch)
- A Certificate of Protection (in place of a Certificate of Currency)
- Claims support managed by Baptist Insurance Services (BIS)
- Access to governance processes, including review pathways
The experience is designed to be familiar in practice, while operating within a different underlying structure.
Oversight and accountability
CVA Mutual is not an APRA-authorised insurer. However, it does operate within a formal regulatory and governance framework.
BIS, as the AFSL entity (AFSL No. 514857) managing the mutual, operates under ASIC oversight and is responsible for compliance, claims processes, and operational management.
BIS is also registered with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), providing members with access to an external dispute resolution pathway in addition to internal review processes.
Moving from your current insurer
There are two typical ways organisations transition:
Join at launch
Organisations join the mutual at its start date and conclude their existing insurance arrangements accordingly.
Join at renewal
Organisations register interest and transition to the mutual when their current insurance policy renews.
The approach can be tailored depending on timing and organisational needs.
