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Commissioners accept 2026 county insurance renewal after agent flags jail liability concerns
Summary
An insurance agent told the board the county faces a 6% average premium increase and reduced carrier interest because of jail liability; the board voted 3‑0 to accept the quoted coverage for 03/08/2026–03/08/2027 and directed staff to finalize the policy.
The Owen County Board of Commissioners accepted a county insurance renewal proposal covering the 2026 policy year after hearing from the county's insurance representative that carriers are more selective due to exposures related to the county jail.
The insurance representative (introduced during the meeting) reported an approximate 6% year‑over‑year increase in premiums driven by higher property values and auto values. The agent said several markets have declined to quote for the county and that carriers are asking about progress on the jail project because jail liability is a key exposure on public‑entity policies. The agent characterized the current market as smaller and more selective than five years ago.
After brief discussion about timing and contingency items in the agent's spreadsheets, a commissioner moved to accept the quoted proposal (identified in meeting discussion as coverage running from March 8, 2026, to March 8, 2027). The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote. Commissioners noted this renewal is time‑sensitive because some lines (cyber, workers' compensation) have imminent renewal dates.
The board instructed staff to finalize the policy with the approved carriers and to continue working with the agent on audit/reconciliation items related to payroll and exposures.
