The Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) is a public information and 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 Research, and Legislative and Regulatory Affairs.

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 source for reporters and welcomes the opportunity to provide concise, prompt and factual insurance information to any inquiry.

Publications: The Institute offers publications on a variety of insurance and safety-related issues, many available at no charge. A list of OII informational materials is available by contacting the association. Many are available for downloading from the OII website at www.ohioinsurance.org.

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.
• 2000 Ohio Insurance Facts is a comprehensive reference guide used by the industry, news media and public officials to better understand the complexities of property/casualty insurance.
• The Insurance Industry in Ohio details the employment and economic roles of insurance in the Buckeye state.
• OII Website: Consumers, reporters, legislative staff, members and nonmembers will find a wealth of insurance and safety-related information on our site, which was activated in July, 1998. Visit us at www.ohioinsurance.org. Click here for information regarding how to navigate the OII website.
• Insurance Consumer Reports for TV: This award-winning joint program cosponsored with our counterparts from other states provides TV news directors with ready-to-use news stories on industry and safety-related issues with the consumer in mind.
• 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.

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:

Video Loan Library: Videos to help students understand insurance concepts as well as safe driving skills are available free to teachers and libraries.

Teaching Kits: Lesson plans, videos and classroom activity guides developed by OII help educators with their instruction of insurance.

Speakers Network: Insurance industry professionals across the state volunteer to lead high school class discussions on insurance topics from insurance costs to driver safety. Through this network of insurance industry experts, OII also provides speakers to community and civic groups.

Workshops for Educators: A comprehensive four-day, graduate-level workshop is offered to high school teachers involved in insurance instruction. One-day regional workshops are also offered.

Auto Insurance CD-ROM Edugame for High Schoolers: Our first CD-ROM application, "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 Ohio's graduated licensing and other laws, and key driver safety information.

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

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.

Alliance of American Insurers
Allstate Insurance Co.
American Commerce Insurance Co.
American Family Insurance Group
American Insurance Association
Auto-Owners' Insurance Co.
Buckeye State Mutual Insurance
Central Mutual Insurance Co.
Century Surety Co.
Cincinnati Insurance Board
Cincinnati Insurance Cos.
Citizens Insurance Co. of Ohio
CNA Insurance Cos.
Country Mutual Insurance Co.
Crum & Forster Insurance
Eastern Ohio Mutual Fire & Tornado Ins. Co.
Employers Reinsurance Corp.
Erie Insurance Group
Farmers Insurance of Columbus, Inc.
Farmers Mutual Aid Association of Van Wert County
Farmers Mutual Insurance Association of Sandusky County
Farmers Mutual Insurance Association of Seneca County
Farmers Mutual Insurance Co.
Farmers Mutual Relief Association
General Reinsurance Corp.
German Mutual Insurance Co.
Grange Mutual Casualty Co.
Great American Insurance Co.
Great Oaks Insurance Co.
Insurance Board of Greater Cleveland
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group
Mennonite Mutual Insurance Co.
Metropolitan P&C Insurance Co.
Miami Mutual Insurance Co.
Motorists Insurance Cos.
Mutual Benefit Group
Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
Norton Mutual Fire Association
OHIC Insurance Co.
Ohio Casualty Group
Ohio Indemnity Co.
Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
Paragon Reinsurance Risk Management Services, Inc.
Paris & Washington Twps. Home Insurance Co.
Perry County Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
Personal Service Insurance Co.
Pike Mutual Insurance Co.
Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, Inc.
Progressive Insurance
Proliance Insurance Co.
Reinsurance Association of America
Springfield Township Mutual Insurance Assn.
State Farm Insurance
Swiss Reinsurance
Tuscarora Wayne Mutual Insurance Assn.
USAA
Wayne Mutual Insurance Co.
Western Reserve Group
Westfield Companies
Wood County Mutual Insurance Assn.
Woodville Mutual Insurance Assn.

President
Daniel J. Kelso

Sr. VP, Public Information
Mary R. Bonelli

VP, Public Information and Education
Mitchell A. Wilson

Legislative Affairs Representative
Michael P. Mooney

Director, Member Services
Kathleen B. Strawn

Asst. Director of Education
Judy M. Hinten

PC Operations Coordinator
Shelley Stebbins-Kolb

Administrative Assistants
Lillian L. Bragg
Deborah K. Lawlor