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About The Ohio Insurance Institute

The Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) is a trade association representing property/casualty (P/C) insurance companies and organizations conducting business throughout the state.

OII began operations in 1968. Its predecessor, the Underwriters Service Association, Inc., was chartered in 1932. In 1968, the Underwriters Service Association merged with the Ohio Insurance Information Service to form the OII. The Insurance Federation of Ohio, founded in 1970, merged with the Ohio Insurance Institute in 1989 to provide expanded services.

The association’s primary objective is to help Ohioans achieve a better understanding of insurance and related safety issues. To attain this goal, OII provides services in three areas: Public Information, Education, and Legislative and Regulatory Affairs. OII Member Services provides association support through a variety of communications and as the provider of the OII group rating plan for Workers’ Compensation.

Public Information

The OII public information program plays a vital role in increasing consumer understanding of P/C insurance issues. Current programs include:

Media Relations: OII serves as an insurance information news source. We welcome the opportunity to provide concise, prompt and factual insurance information to every media inquiry.

Publications: The Institute offers publications on a variety of insurance and safety-related issues. View our current list of downloadable resources at www.ohioinsurance.org/downloadable_resources.asp.

OII publications include:

OII Consumer Fact Pak contains a series of brochures on insurance and safety issues including understanding insurance, winter and tornado safety and consumer money-saving tips. View online at www.ohioinsurance.org/consumers/fact_pak.asp.

Ohio Insurance Facts is a comprehensive reference guide for news media, industry personnel and public officials to improve their understanding of the complexities of P/C insurance. Access current and previous editions online at www.ohioinsurance.org.

The Insurance Industry in Ohio details the employment and economic roles of insurance in the Buckeye state. View online at www.ohioinsurance.org/consumers/insurance_in_ohio.asp.

OII Web site: Consumers, reporters, legislative staff, members and nonmembers will find a wealth of insurance and safety-related information on our site. Visit us at www.ohioinsurance.org.

Insurance Consumer Reports for TV: This award-winning program provides TV news directors and consumer reporters with ready-to-use news stories on industry and safety-related issues with the consumer in mind. View the list of TV reports online at www.ohioinsurance.org/newsroom/topics.asp.

Organization and Trade Relations: OII is often assisted in its public information efforts by establishing coalitions with other trade, insurance and safety groups.

Industry Issue Campaigns: OII contends that an informed consumer is in a better position to make the best choice when it comes to insurance and safety issues. OII develops information to aid in decision-making.

Issue Web Sites: OII has launched informational sites to educate members & consumers on specific key issues.
  •  Towing fees (http://www.stoptowingabuse.com/)
  •  Accident response fees (http://www.accidentresponsefees.com/)
  •  Weather safety club for kids (http://www.ohioinsurance.org/weatherclub/)

Education

OII invests in the future through an extensive teacher and student education program, as well as providing seminars and workshops for insurance practitioners. Programs include:

Insurance Lesson Plans: OII’s newest resource for educators—downloadable classroom lesson plans. These insurance-themed lesson plans are designed for use with high school students (grades 9-12) in any class that includes auto, home or liability insurance in its course of study. View online at www.ohioinsurance.org/teachers/lesson_plans.asp.

Loan Library: Videos, CDs and DVDs to help students understand insurance concepts as well as safe driving skills are available free to teachers and libraries. See our resource list online at www.ohioinsurance.org/teachers/audio_visuals.asp.

Speakers Network: Insurance industry professionals across Ohio volunteer to lead classroom discussions on topics ranging from insurance costs to driver safety. Through this network of volunteers, OII also provides speakers to community and civic groups. Request a speaker online at www.ohioinsurance.org/teachers/guest_speakers.asp

Understanding Renters Insurance: This interactive Web-based application provides educators, students and consumers with the basics of renters insurance. Included are suggestions for classroom activities, review quiz, downloadable handouts, a glossary of insurance terms, and tips for shopping and saving on insurance. View online at www.ohioinsurance.org/teachers/renters_edu_game.asp

Workshops/Online Instruction for Teachers: One-day regional workshops for high school educators involved in insurance instruction are available upon request. OII also offers an online graduate-level course, Insurance Basics for Teachers, through Wright State University at www.wright.edu/cee/51606/.

Auto Insurance Edugame for High Schoolers: “The Key to Responsibility” takes a look at auto insurance from a teenager’s perspective. This game provides a thorough review of auto insurance basics, a look at graduated licensing and other laws, and driver safety information. Download from www.ohioinsurance.org/teachers/auto_edu_game.asp.

Seminars for Insurance Professionals: OII also provides educational opportunities for its constituents by sponsoring programs on timely topics.

Legislative and Regulatory Affairs

OII serves as liaison between its membership and Ohio’s legislative and regulatory bodies. The association’s efforts include providing insurance-related information to state lawmakers, government and regulatory officials, and state agencies.

This OII division is responsible for promoting Ohio’s insurance industry’s position on behalf of its members before legislative and regulatory bodies. This division also offers and arranges for testimony during legislative hearings, and tracks and monitors insurance-related legislation for OII constituents.

Member Services

OII newsletters are the primary function of this area. These include legislative updates as well as the OII Review, which highlights association activities, and the OII Forum, which provides a monthly overview of issues affecting the industry. Both are available online on the OII Web site.
Member Services is also responsible for administering OII’s group rating plan for Workers’ Compensation.

OII membership composite

OII membership in January 2007 included 36 domestic P/C companies, 11 foreign P/C insurers and reinsurers, nine insurance trade associations and two insurance-related organizations. In 2005, OII members collected more than $7.9 billion in P/C premiums in Ohio. This represents about 42% of the state's total P/C business (based on premium volume).

Insurance industry jobs rose by 4,000 in June 2007 to a record 2.353 million, according to seasonally adjusted data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Best’s Insurance News, July 9, 2007)