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Insurance consultant outlines 9.3% program increase, higher deductibles and optional higher liability limits for county coverage
Summary
A Kinder Insurance representative reviewed Hocking County’s May renewal for the Buckeye joint county insurance program, citing a programwide increase of about 9.3%, higher deductibles, an option to raise liability limits from $1 million to $2 million per occurrence, and expanded cyber ransom coverage.
A Kinder Insurance representative briefed the Hocking County Board of Commissioners on April 10 about the county’s property and liability renewal, reporting that program costs rose roughly 9.3% and describing several coverage and deductible changes.
The presenter said the county currently has a $1 million per‑occurrence limit (with a $3 million aggregate) for general liability and public‑officials coverage and can choose an option to move to a $2 million per‑occurrence / $6 million aggregate layer. The representative said the program’s deductibles are changing to $5,000 “across the board” for property and many lines, while auto comprehensive/collision deductibles remain at $2,500.
On cyber insurance, the presenter told commissioners that the county’s ransomware coverage will increase under the new renewal — “we had 50,000 ransomware on the cyber now,” the presenter said, and “with the new renewal, we’re going to go to a million on the ransom.” The insurance rep also described grant‑style reimbursements available through the program: up to $3,500 for some law‑enforcement equipment (for example, dash or body cameras) and about $5,500 for cybersecurity measures such as vulnerability scans and phishing training.
Why it matters: the renewal affects county budget planning and risk management. Commissioners asked for line‑by‑line comparisons of coverage and cost between the current and prior year, and for claims data by department to help prioritize risk control.
The presenter said contribution increases reflect a mix of loss experience and market conditions: higher claims in the last several years, more costly repairs and legal judgments, and weather‑related property losses. He described the Buckeye Counties joint pool structure — six counties participate in that pool and the program aggregates contributions from 73 member counties plus associated entities when underwriters set rates.
Commissioners asked whether the county’s local loss history materially drives its rate; the presenter said rates are set primarily across the group and program, though better or worse local loss experience can meaningfully change an individual member’s renewal percentage. The presenter offered to provide the commissioners a memorandum of coverage and a more detailed breakdown comparing specific line items and costs between this year and last; he asked the board to decide whether to accept the optional higher liability limit so invoicing can be adjusted promptly.
Ending: The county asked Kinder Insurance to supply a line‑by‑line coverage and cost comparison and to provide two‑ and five‑year claims summaries; the vendor will follow up with written materials and the county will decide whether to adopt the optional higher liability layer and other coverage changes.
