Homeowners Insurance in Ohio
Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026
If your Ohio insurer drops you, it must give you written notice at least 30 days ahead (with some exceptions), and the notice must explain how to apply to the Ohio FAIR Plan. The Ohio FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort for property that at least two insurance companies have turned down. If you think an insurer treated you unfairly, the Ohio Department of Insurance takes complaints at (800) 686-1526. [1][2][3][4]
At a glance
- Last-resort insurer
- Ohio FAIR Plan, for property denied coverage by at least two insurance companies [3][5]
- Complaints
- Ohio Department of Insurance Consumer Services, (800) 686-1526 [4]
What homeowners insurance costs in Ohio: average premium, 2023 $1,116 a year in Ohio vs. $1,737 countrywide · 46th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)
On this page
If your insurer cancels or won't renew
Ohio's rule for property that could be insured through the FAIR Plan says an insurer must give you written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal "not less than thirty days prior." The notice must also "explain to the insured the procedures for making application to the association" (the Ohio FAIR Plan).
The 30-day notice does not apply when the reason is nonpayment of premium, "evidence of incendiarism" (arson) or misrepresentation. It also does not apply to binders (temporary coverage) of 30 days or less.
The Ohio Department of Insurance's homeowners guide says the same thing in plainer words: a company that cancels "must send you a written notice at least 30 days before the cancellation date," and a company that won't renew "must notify you of their decision 30 days in advance of the policy expiring." Both notices must explain how to apply to the Ohio FAIR Plan.
Why insurers drop people: the guide says you could lose coverage "as a result of non-payment of premiums, poor home maintenance or too many claims," and that with "two to three claims within five years, the insurance company may choose to cancel or not renew your policy."
Your policy itself spells out which conditions can lead to cancellation, so read it alongside the notice. If you think the reason is wrong or the notice came late, call your agent or company first, then the Department of Insurance (see "Where to get help" below).
A bill could change this. House Bill 652, introduced in the Ohio House in the 2025-2026 session, would raise the nonrenewal notice for homeowners policies to at least 60 days and require the notice to give the reason (or say the reason is available on request). As of Oct. 13, 2026, it had not passed; the 30-day rule above still applies. [1][2][6]
Last resort: the Ohio FAIR Plan
The Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association was created by state law and is funded by the insurance companies that sell property insurance in Ohio. FAIR stands for "fair access to insurance requirements." It covers property in Ohio that meets its underwriting rules and "has been denied coverage by at least 2 insurance companies."
Since October 24, 2024, the law no longer ties the plan to "urban areas": any person with an insurable interest in property at a fixed location in Ohio who could not get basic property or homeowners insurance may apply. (In practice the plan says "By 1977 the entire state was eligible for basic property insurance" through it, so this mostly brought the law in line.)
Things to know before you apply:
- You cannot apply directly. You apply through any Ohio-licensed insurance agent, even one who normally works with other companies. - The plan inspects the property. The Department of Insurance says "You do not have a guaranteed right to buy FAIR Plan coverage." - The most the plan will insure at one location is $2 million for buildings and contents combined. - Cost: the Department of Insurance's guide says FAIR Plan coverage "is likely to cost substantially more" than standard coverage, while the plan itself says that in some cases the cost "may be somewhat higher" and in others "comparable to the standard market." The two sources differ; get a quote.
Full details, forms and limits are on our Ohio FAIR Plan page. [1][2][3][5][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Ohio's FEMA disaster record since 2000
Federal disaster declarations for Ohio, counted from FEMA's official declarations data. A "major disaster" declaration brings federal recovery aid; a "fire management" declaration helps pay to fight a wildfire that threatens homes.
Most recent
- Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, And Landslides Flood · Major disaster · declared 2026-10-02
- Tornadoes Tornado · Major disaster · declared 2024-05-02
- Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslide Tornado · Major disaster · declared 2019-06-18
- Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides Flood · Major disaster · declared 2019-04-08
- Severe Storms, Landslides, And Mudslides Flood · Major disaster · declared 2018-04-17
- Severe Storms And Flooding Due To The Remnants Of Hurricane Sandy Hurricane · Major disaster · declared 2013-01-03
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, downloaded 2026-10-14. Each declaration counted once, however many counties it covers. Flood history and flood insurance: FloodHawk.
Hail, wind and wildfire in Ohio
Hail, thunderstorm wind and tornado reports
Severe weather reports logged by the National Weather Service in NOAA's Storm Events Database, July 2025 to June 2026 (the latest 12 months NOAA has published), next to the yearly average for 2016 to 2025.
Largest hail in those 12 months: 2.25 inches, Cuyahoga County, April 15, 2026 (1 other report was the same size).
Most reports of 1-inch-plus hail, 2016–2025: Franklin (42), Hamilton (40), Tuscarawas (34), Cuyahoga (34), Greene (28).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, downloaded October 14, 2026. NOAA adds each month about 75 to 90 days after it ends. Tornadoes are counted in NOAA's segments: one that crosses a county line counts once per county, and one that briefly lifts and touches down again can count twice. Reports depend on people seeing and reporting storms, so busier areas log more of them: these counts show how often storms are reported, not the risk to any one home.
Wildfire
Homes in Ohio have, on average, greater wildfire risk than 18% of states, and greater wildfire likelihood (the chance of a wildfire burning in any given year) than 20% of states, according to the USDA Forest Service.
Of Ohio's 6,245,944 buildings, 37% are in the Forest Service's direct exposure zone (they may be ignited by flammable vegetation next to them, as well as by embers), 11% in the indirect exposure zone (embers or a neighboring burning building), and 52% have minimal exposure.
Source: USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities (state data table updated April 15, 2026). The Forest Service says its ratings describe communities, not individual homes; they don't reflect work owners have done to lower their risk, and the tool isn't designed for insurance companies, which do their own wildfire assessments.
| Year | Fires | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 524 | 1,415 |
| 2022 | 724 | 3,063 |
| 2023 | 883 | 2,469 |
| 2024 | 1,107 | 2,441 |
| 2025 | 560 | 1,134 |
Source: National Interagency Coordination Center annual reports (table "Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State and Agency", from the SIT/209 reporting system). Each year counts only the agencies listed for Ohio in that year's table, so a big change between years can come from which agencies reported.
2026 so far: 19 acres burned in wildfires reported to the national interagency fire-incident system (IRWIN) for Ohio, as of October 14, 2026. Preliminary: from NIFC's year-to-date wildfire locations (WFIGS), which doesn't include every state and local fire and isn't comparable to the annual totals above.
Mine subsidence and earthquake
Ohio has a state fund for damage when an old underground coal mine sinks under a home (mine subsidence). The Department of Insurance's homeowners guide says "All residential policies sold in mandatory coverage counties must protect against" mine subsidence damage, and that optional coverage is available in some other counties. The guide lists the counties; ask your agent whether your county is one of them.
Earthquake is different: "Without an earthquake endorsement, there is no coverage under your homeowner's policy," according to the same guide. [1]
Flood is a separate policy
The Department of Insurance's guide lists flood among "Typical exclusions" in homeowners policies, and explains that flood insurance comes from the National Flood Insurance Program, sold through private insurance agents and companies. For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [1]
Where to get help
The Department of Insurance says to start with your company: "If you have a complaint, call your company first," and speak to your agent, then a supervisor. Ask for a written response.
If that doesn't fix it, call the department's Consumer Services Division toll-free at (800) 686-1526, or file a complaint online through the Ohio Department of Insurance complaint page. You can also mail a written complaint to Ohio Department of Insurance, Consumer Services Division, 50 West Town Street, Third Floor/Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43215.
What to expect: the department says "You should receive a letter within two weeks" confirming your complaint, and an investigation "usually takes approximately 30 days" but can take longer.
The department does not recommend or rate insurance companies, but it can give you a list of companies licensed to sell insurance in Ohio. [1][4]
Questions people ask
How much notice does an Ohio insurer have to give before dropping my home insurance?
At least 30 days in writing before cancellation or nonrenewal, and the notice must explain how to apply to the Ohio FAIR Plan. The 30 days don't apply if the reason is nonpayment, evidence of arson or misrepresentation. [1][2]
Can my Ohio insurer drop me for filing claims?
It can. The Ohio Department of Insurance says that if you have two to three claims within five years, the company may choose to cancel or not renew your policy, especially if you are a habitual claimant with small claims. [1]
What do I do if two companies turn me down?
Ask any Ohio-licensed agent to help you apply to the Ohio FAIR Plan. The plan requires that the property was denied the coverage sought by at least two insurance companies, and it inspects the property before deciding. [2][3][10]
Who regulates homeowners insurance in Ohio?
The Ohio Department of Insurance. Its Consumer Services line is (800) 686-1526. [4][13]
Sources (13)
- Homeowners Insurance Guide, Ohio Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Ohio Adm.Code 3901-1-18: Ohio fair plan - plan of operation, Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Available Coverage Options, Ohio FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Submit an Insurance Complaint, Ohio Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Ohio Revised Code 3929.44 (version effective October 24, 2024), Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- H.B. 652 Bill Analysis, As Introduced (136th General Assembly, March 9, 2026), Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Ohio Revised Code 3929.41: Purposes, Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Ohio Revised Code 3929.43: Ohio fair plan underwriting association, Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Ohio Revised Code 3929.44 (prior version, effective September 26, 1984), Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Contact Us, Ohio FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Frequently Asked Questions, Ohio FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Ohio FAIR Plan: Home, Ohio FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Ohio Department of Insurance: Home, Ohio Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.