Consumer FAQ
What is the Ohio FAIR Plan (OFPUA)?
OFPUA is an association that was created by statute and is supported by
all property insurance companies licensed to do business in the state of Ohio.
Insurance coverage is available for eligible property if coverage is
unavailable in the normal insurance market.
Can I get the same coverage through OFPUA as through a "regular" insurance company?
No. Insurance coverage varies by company and there are important differences in each company’s coverage.
OFPUA does offer coverage for owner-occupied houses, tenant-occupied houses, farms, and commercial properties.
Your insurance agent will review the different coverages and help you decide which type is best for your
circumstances.
Does OFPUA consider loss or credit history?
Credit history is not considered. Loss history will be
considered in determining the type of coverage and deductible that will be provided.
For example, if you have had multiple theft losses, OFPUA will provide coverage for fire,
lightning, etc., but no theft coverage will be offered unless you have taken
steps to avoid future losses.
Are there limits on the amount of coverage available?
Yes. Depending on the type of coverage, coverage amounts are limited to the actual cash
value (current replacement cost of the property minus an allowance for depreciation, wear
and obsolescence) or replacement cost of the property. The maximum coverage available is
$2 million for structure and personal property coverages combined.
Is the cost for insurance coverage more expensive under the FAIR Plan?
The answer to this depends on the individual property. In some situations
the cost of insurance may be somewhat higher, while in other situations the rates may
be comparable to the standard market.
My property needs repairs. I want to insure it while it's in rehabilitation. Will the FAIR Plan insure the property?
The FAIR Plan has a Rehabilitation Program for vacant homes undergoing significant renovations.
Copies of contracts, repair items, anticipated completion dates, and expenditures must
also be forwarded. Coverage under the Rehabilitation Program is available for one year only.
How do I know if FAIR Plan coverage is best for me, and how do I apply for coverage?
Check with at least two insurance companies regarding your particular situation. If you can't obtain
coverage with a standard company, any insurance agent can assist you in applying for coverage through
the Ohio FAIR Plan.
Do FAIR Plan policies have deductibles?
Yes, just like insurance coverage with a standard company, deductibles apply to
FAIR Plan policies.
Do exclusions apply to FAIR Plan policies?
Yes, but they vary depending on the type of policy and the amount of insurance
coverage provided in the policy. You need to review your policy or check with
your insurance agent or the FAIR Plan regarding specific exclusions and limitations
of your policy.
Will I be assigned an insurance agent or company representative to contact with questions about my policy?
No – you get to choose your own insurance agent!. OFPUA has no agents, so any agent you select
would be your agent. Your agent can answer your questions, give you advice, explain terms to you,
and help you with your insurance matters.
Is my OFPUA premium higher if I have an agent?
No, your premium is not affected by whether you have an agent or not.
If I'm renting property, is there a way to obtain insurance coverage for my belongings? Can I get liability coverage?
Yes. Your agent will likely recommend Homeowners 4 coverage which is specifically
designed to cover renters' property and liability risks.
How do I file a claim with the FAIR Plan?
Please contact your insurance agent to get their advice on filing a claim. If you decide to file one,
please click on Submit a Claim in the middle of the homepage.
Once I get coverage through the FAIR Plan, should I continue to check for coverage in the regular insurance market?
Yes. It is required that consumers shop for insurance each year and is in your best
interests to look around for coverage with a standard company.
Agent FAQ
Do I need to be appointed with (OFPUA)?
No. No appointment is necessary — by Ohio law, all agents are required to help consumers apply for coverage
What authority do I have with OFPUA?
None. Ohio law specifically says that OFPUA has no agents and thus, no agents have authority to pay claims or issue coverage.
The agent serves as an agent for the applicant.
Will I be paid a commission?
Yes. Although you are not an agent for OFPUA, OFPUA will pay a commission to any resident licensed agent (and any nonresident agent
affiliated with a resident agent who assisted the customer). For residential property, the commission paid is 12% of the earned
premium. For commercial property, the commission rate is 10%. Commissions are paid the month following a policy being issued.
Can I bind coverage?
No. Ohio law says that only a FAIR Plan underwriter can approve, bind, or issue coverage. Since agents assisting property owners
to apply for coverage through OFPUA are not FAIR Plan agents, no agent has binding authority.
When is coverage bound?
If it meets OFPUA's underwriting guidelines, coverage can be effective as early as the day following OFPUA's receipt of the fully
completed application and appropriate binder deposit premium. Underwriting will generally need 3-5 days to process and underwrite
the application.
How do I get a quote?
You can click "Get a Quote" on the homepage for an informal estimate. For a formal offer of coverage, please submit an application.
The property will be inspected and, if the property is eligible for coverage, a premium quotation will be sent to all interested parties.
Coverage would be effective the day following OFPUA's receipt of the premium.
When is the inspection done?
Properties are typically inspected within 30 days of the application being submitted.
Do you offer coverage on vacant properties?
No. The only vacant property insurable by OFPUA is one that is under extensive, formal renovation, and that coverage must be written under
our Rehabilitation Program.
Do you schedule personal property? Is personal property covered at replacement cost?
No. We offer coverage for unscheduled personal property on an actual cash value basis.
Do you provide coverage for mobile/manufactured homes?
Yes. Coverage is offered under the HO 0008 (owner-occupied) and DP 0001 (tenant-occupied) forms.
When can liability coverage be provided?
We can provide liability for risks that qualify for our Homeowners policies. No liability is offered on Farm, Dwelling Property, or Commercial policies.
Can you set up a policy as escrow bill?
Yes. All invoices are sent to all parties.
However, if binder coverage is needed, the initial binder deposit premium must be submitted with the application.
Can I get a binder/endorsement faxed to me for a loan closing?
Yes. You can request that we rush a copy of the binder in the Agents Comments section of the application. Rushes take 72 hours.
If a property insured through the Ohio FAIR Plan is re-financed, can I issue an amended declaration reflecting the new mortgagee?
No, any binder or policy changes must be issued by the FAIR Plan.
Does the FAIR Plan have a premium payment plan?
Yes, OFPUA offers a quarterly payment plan for Homeowners and also for Dwelling Property policies that need to remain with OFPUA a second year.
If a policy cancels for non-payment, the payment plan may not be offered in the future.
What is OFPUA's "Best" rating? Some lenders/mortgage companies insist upon an "A-rated" company.
OFPUA is not rated by A.M. Best. OFPUA is supported or subsidized by approximately several hundred property insurers doing business in the state of Ohio.
All insurers are members of OFPUA, must remain members of OFPUA as a condition of writing insurance in Ohio, and must "participate in the writings, expenses,
profits, and losses of the association." Those insurers are then statutory "reinsurers" of OFPUA and OFPUA's Best Rating would be as good as the top-rated
insurer(s) in Ohio.
Can multiple staff members in an agency use the same website login ID and password?
No. Each licensed staff member needs to request his or her own login ID and password.
Can unlicensed staff members in an agency login to the website?
No. Only licensed insurance agents may have a login to the website. This is to make sure unlicensed staff members do not submit applications or
perform other activities not permitted by Ohio law.
How do the applicant and I sign the application?
The applicant will sign the application with the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number. The submitting insurance agent will sign the
application with his or her Ohio Department of Insurance license number (not the National Producer Number). If you are unsure what your ODI license
number is, please visit the Ohio Department of Insurance website.
How do I print a copy of the application for my records?
A copy of the application is immediately emailed to you and the customer.
How soon can I see the status of a binder or policy?
Once a binder, policy, or any other coverage change has been issued, the status will update in real time; however, policy documents will not be
available until the next day.