About Ohio FAIR Plan

The Ohio FAIR Plan is supported by all insurance companies licensed to transact fire insurance business within the state. Each company shares in the losses of the Plan in direct proportion to its premium volume of business in the state.

The Ohio FAIR Plan was established in 1968 to provide essential insurance coverage for eligible property unable to obtain insurance through the voluntary market. Initially, the Plan applied to a limited number of metropolitan areas. By 1977 the entire state was eligible for basic property insurance, including farm coverage, through the plan. Ohio's FAIR Plan is one of 32 such programs operating throughout the U.S.

History

You may recall the riots of the 1960's. As a result of the catastrophic losses in inner cities across the country, reinsurers were unable to provide insurance coverage for inner city properties. So, many property owners were left without insurance. Consequently, loans that would normally be available for property renovation and improvement were no longer available. Mortgages became difficult if not impossible to secure on inner city property. When property sustained losses, repairs couldn't be made.

President Johnson encouraged the formation of the "Hughes Panel" to study this problem and make recommendations for possible solutions. As a result of their findings, the Federal Riot Reinsurance Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on August 1, 1968. Essentially, this assured that the Federal Government would provide reinsurance to companies for catastrophic loss by riot in those states, which established a FAIR Plan. FAIR is an acronym representing Fair Access to Insurance Requirements. The companies would, of course, have to pay a premium for this reinsurance. FAIR plans would intend to provide essential insurance (fire, extended coverage, and, in some states vandalism) for properties which were not eligible for coverage with standard insurance companies.

Subsequent to the passage of the Federal Law, the Ohio Department of Insurance asked that the Ohio Insurance Institute formulate a FAIR Plan for Ohio. The Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association (OFP) was created under the Ohio Revised Code (Section 3929.41 et seq.) in November of 1968. The statute provided for OFP’s issuance of Basic Property Insurance (fire, extended coverage-windstorm, hail, aircraft damage, riot, vehicle damage, explosion, and smoke, and vandalism and malicious mischief) for eligible property at "standard" rates. This coverage was to be provided through a "pool" comprised of all property insurers writing coverage in the State of Ohio. These insurers are the "members" of the Association (OFP) and participate in the losses (and profits) of OFP in direct proportion to their premium volume of business in the state.

Initially, OFP coverage was available only in the 10 major urban areas of Ohio-Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Dayton, Toledo, Lima, and Springfield. By 1977, the entire state of Ohio was designated as eligible for OFP coverage. Since 1981, OFP has had Homeowners Insurance available for 1 and/or 2 family owner-occupied properties. The availability of Homeowners coverage provided the opportunity for theft and liability coverage for these properties. Since 1987, a Crime Insurance Program has been available through OFP for qualifying residential and commercial property.

The FAIR Plan is committed to providing quality service to the insurance industry, the insuring public, the agents and the Board of the FAIR Plan and its committees. The service contemplates timely processing, as well as professional and courteous handling of matters. These activities must be accomplished within the framework established by ORC 3929.41 et seq., Administrative Rule of the Ohio Department of Insurance (INS 3901-1-18), and the Underwriting Guidelines. For review of these individual documents, click on the document.

Ohio FAIR Plan Mission Statement is:

TO PROVIDE QUALITY PROPERTY ORIENTED INSURANCE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND PRICED FAIRLY FOR OHIO PROPERTY