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. OII Member Services provides association support through a variety of informational newsletters 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 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. 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.
• 2001 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 program 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.

Education and Research

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.

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.

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, a quiz, downloadable handout materials, a glossary of common insurance terms, and ways to shop and save money on insurance.

Workshops for Educators: A comprehensive four-day workshop is offered to high school educators 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.

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 several legislative-based publications as well as the OII Review, which highlights association activities, and the OII Forum, which provides a monthly overview of issues affecting the insurance industry.

Member Services is also responsible for administering OII’s group rating plan for Workers’ Compensation.

OII membership composite

OII membership in December, 2000 included 37 domestic P/C companies, 14 foreign P/C insurers and reinsurers, six insurance trade associations and two other insurance-related organizations. In 1999, OII members collected more than $5.4 billion in P/C premiums in Ohio. This represents nearly 44% of the state’s total P/C business (based on premium volume).

 OII Staff

President
Daniel J. Kelso

Senior Vice President, Public Information
Mary R. Bonelli

Vice President, Public Information and Education
Mitchell A. Wilson

Director of Legislative Affairs
Michael P. Mooney

Director, Member Services
Kathleen B. Strawn

Assistant Director of Education
Judy M. Hinten

PC Operations Coordinator
Shelley Stebbins-Kolb

Administrative Assistants
Lillian L. Bragg
Deborah K. Lawlor

 OII Members

Alliance of American Insurers
Allstate Insurance Company
American Commerce Insurance Co.
American Family Insurance Group
American Insurance Association
Auto-Owners Insurance Co.
Buckeye Insurance Group
Central Mutual Insurance Co.
Century Surety Group
Chubb Group of Insurance Cos.
Cincinnati Equitable Insurance
Cincinnati Insurance Board
Cincinnati Insurance Cos.
Citizens Insurance Co. of Ohio
Country Mutual Insurance Co.
Crum & Forster Insurance
EMC-Hamilton Mutual Insurance Co.
Eastern Ohio Mutual Fire & Tornado Ins. Co.
Employers Reinsurance Corp.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Erie Insurance Group
E.W. Blanch Holdings
Farmers Insurance of Columbus, Inc.
Farmers Mutual Aid Association of Van Wert County
Farmers Mutual Insurance Co.
Farmers Mutual Relief Association
General Reinsurance Corp.
German Mutual Insurance Co.
Grange Insurance Companies
Great American Insurance Companies
GreatLand Insurance Company
Great Oaks Insurance Co.
Insurance Board of Greater Cleveland
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group
Mennonite Mutual Insurance Company
MetLife Auto & Home
Miami Mutual Insurance Company
Motorists Insurance Companies
Mutual Benefit Group
Nationwide Insurance Companies
Norton Mutual Fire Association
Ohio Casualty Group
Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
Paris & Washington Twps. Home Insurance Co.
Perry County Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
Pike Mutual Insurance Co.
Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, Inc.
Progressive Insurance
Reinsurance Association of America
Springfield Township Mutual Insurance Association
State Farm Insurance
Swiss Reinsurance
Tuscarora Wayne Mutual Insurance Association
USAA
Wayne Mutual Insurance Co.
Western Reserve Group
Westfield Companies
Woodville Mutual Insurance Association

(As of January 2001)

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© 2001 Ohio Insurance Institute
172 E. State Street, Suite 201
Columbus, OH 43215-4321
614-228-1593
Fax: 614-228-1678