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Agents and industry back bill to extend nonrenewal notices to 60 days
Summary
Industry witnesses testified HB652 would extend nonrenewal notice periods—commercial lines from 30 to 60 days and establish a 60‑day standard for homeowners—arguing the change would give agents and insureds sufficient time to remarket and avoid coverage lapses while including agent‑of‑record notification and optional electronic notice.
Multiple witnesses representing agents and independent agencies told the House Insurance Committee they support House Bill 652, which would extend nonrenewal notification standards: raise the commercial nonrenewal notice minimum from 30 to 60 days and create a 60‑day standard for homeowners insurance. George Christie, government affairs manager for the Ohio Insurance Agents Association, said the change would require carriers to send nonrenewal notices to the insured and the agent of record and would permit electronic notice when consumers previously agreed to that method.
"One of those changes…it now ensures that, if a policy has an agent of record, that the nonrenewal will go to the insured and that agent of record," Christie told the committee, adding that consistent notice helps agents act quickly to remarket coverage. Christie, Nick Berkey (an independent agent with decades of experience), and Heather McKinnon (independent agent) all testified that evolving underwriting and tightening carrier appetites mean remarketing commercial accounts often takes 50–60 days: assembling loss runs, conducting site visits, and negotiating terms.
Committee members pressed about whether 60 days is adequate compared with longer windows used in some states, potential impacts on small mutual carriers that might face newly exposed risk in the extra window, and whether operational or software changes would be required. Witnesses said many carriers already voluntarily provide extended notice and that the bill would align Ohio with a national trend; they acknowledged small carriers' concerns and invited further conversation. The committee took proponent testimony and concluded the hearing without a formal vote.
