About The Ohio Insurance Institute
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 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 every inquiry.
Publications: The Institute offers publications on a variety
of insurance and safety-related issues, many available at no charge
from the OII Web site at www.ohioinsurance.org.
OII publications include:
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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.
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2002 Ohio Insurance Facts is a comprehensive reference
guide used by the industry, news media and public officials
to better understand the complexities of P/C insurance. Current
and previous editions are accessible via OII’s Web site:
www.ohioinsurance.org.
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The Insurance Industry in Ohio details the employment
and economic roles of insurance in the Buckeye state.
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.
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
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 handouts, a glossary of common
insurance terms, and ways to shop and save money on insurance.
Workshops/Online Instruction for Educators: One-day regional
workshops for high school educators involved in insurance instruction
are available upon request. OII is unveiling its first online course
for graduate credit in 2002 through Wright State University (www.wright.edu/cee/oii.htm).
Auto Insurance Edugame for High Schoolers: Our 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. This
application can be downloaded at www.ohioinsurance.org/key/index.htm.
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
several legislative-based 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 via OII’s Web site.
Member Services is also responsible for administering OII’s
group rating plan for Workers’ Compensation.
OII membership composite
OII membership in March 2002 included 34 domestic P/C companies,
13 foreign P/C insurers and reinsurers, seven insurance trade associations
and two 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
Dan Kelso, dank@ohioinsurance.org
Sr. VP, Public Information
Mary Bonelli, maryb@ohioinsurance.org
VP, Public Information and Education
Mitch Wilson, mitchw@ohioinsurance.org
Director of Legislative Affairs
Mike Mooney, mikem@ohioinsurance.org
Director, Member Services
Kathy Strawn, kathys@ohioinsurance.org
Asst. Director of Education
Judy Hinten, judyh@ohioinsurance.org
PC Operations Coordinator
Shelley Stebbins-Kolb, shelleyk@ohioinsurance.org
Administrative Assistant
Deborah Lawlor, deborahl@ohioinsurance.org
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| OII
Members (As of March 2002) |
Alliance
of American Insurers
Allstate Insurance Company
American Commerce Insurance Co.
American Family Insurance Group
American Insurance Association
Auto-Owners Insurance
Benfield Blanch Group
Buckeye Insurance Group
Central Mutual Insurance Companies
Century Insurance Group
Chubb Group of Insurance Cos.
Cincinnati Equitable Insurance
Cincinnati Insurance Board
Cincinnati Insurance Companies
Citizens Insurance Company of Ohio
Country Mutual Insurance Companies
EMC-Hamilton Mutual Insurance Co.
Eastern Ohio Mutual Fire & Tornado Ins. Co.
Employers Reinsurance Corp.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Erie Insurance Group
Farmers Insurance of Columbus, Inc.
Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
Farmers Mutual Relief Association
General/Cologne Re
German Mutual Insurance Company
Grange Insurance Companies
Great American Insurance Group
GreatLand Insurance Company
Independent Insurance Agents of Ohio
Mennonite Mutual Insurance Company
MetLife P & C
Miami Insurance Group
Motorists Insurance Group
Mutual Benefit Group
National Association of Independent Insurers
Nationwide Insurance
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 Company
Professional Insurance Agents of Ohio, Inc.
Progressive Insurance
Reinsurance Association of America
Springfield Township Mutual Insurance Assn.
State Farm Insurance Companies
Swiss Reinsurance America Corp.
Tuscarora Wayne Mutual Insurance Assn.
USAA
Wayne Mutual Insurance Co.
Western Reserve Group
Westfield Group
Woodville Mutual Insurance Assn. |
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