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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).