ADRIAN, Mich.—An Indiana-based insurance company that provides property and casualty coverage to more than 30,000 churches has refused to offer a policy to a small Michigan church because of its support for gay rights.

Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co., based in Fort Wayne, Ind., turned down the request for a quote from the West Adrian United Church of Christ, in southeastern Michigan.

“Based on national media reports, controversial stances such as those indicated in your application responses have resulted in property damage and the potential for increased litigation among churches that have chosen to publicly endorse those positions,” Marci Fretz, a Brotherhood Mutual underwriter wrote in a letter to the church.

A church official said he asked for the quote in an effort to see if he could get a better deal on insurance rates. The church has since renewed its policy with its longtime insurer, Safeco Corp.

A UCC spokesman said this is the first instance they know of in which a UCC church has been turned down for insurance because of the denomination’s positions on social issues. Two other large church insurers, Church Mutual and GuideOne, said they don’t ask about churches’ positions on gay rights issues.