As an insurance agent, you understand how critical the notification period for the non-renewal of a policy is in ensuring that you and your clients have enough time to secure new coverage. When a carrier decides not to renew a policy, the policyholder must act quickly to find a replacement to avoid gaps in coverage. Unfortunately, Ohio’s current notification period does not provide sufficient time for individuals and businesses to make informed decisions about their insurance needs.
Why Extending the Notification Period Matters
Ohio law currently requires insurance carriers to provide only 30 days’ notice before non-renewing a policy. This short window can put policyholders in a bind and force them into rushed decisions to ensure they do not have a gap in coverage.
Extending the notification period to 90 days for commercial and personal lines would give clients the opportunity to work with their agent to explore their options, compare rates, and make informed decisions. A longer notification period would give agents more time to assess clients’ needs, research alternative coverage, and ensure a smooth transition to a new policy.
Finding a new insurance policy can be a complex process, especially for specialized coverage. With more time, agents and their clients can make well-informed decisions. An extension of the notification period would strengthen consumer protection, prevent coverage gaps, and help maintain stability in the insurance market.
OIA’s Legislative Ask
The Ohio Insurance Agents Government Affairs team is advocating for the introduction of legislation that would increase the 30-day notification period for non-renewal to 90 days for commercial and personal lines. We are engaging with legislators in the Ohio House and Senate to advance this pro-consumer and pro-agent initiative. If Ohio pursues this path, we would be joining a growing number of states that are looking to increase their notification of non-renewal period from 30 days.
On February 10, 2025, the Georgia Senate unanimously passed a bill extending the nonrenewal period for property policies from 30 to 60 days. Other states, such as Mississippi and Hawaii, have introduced legislation to extend their notification period beyond 30 days as well. Texas successfully passed legislation in 2023 that broadened their notification period from 30 days to 60 days for auto and homeowner policies. This pro-consumer legislation passed the Texas State Senate unanimously and received only one no vote in the Texas House of Representatives before being signed into law by their Governor.
It is encouraging to see other states pursuing similar legislative efforts. We are committed to extending Ohio’s notification period for non-renewal. At just 30 days, Ohio has one of the shortest notification periods in the country, falling behind Midwestern states such as Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Whether we can extend the period by two weeks or two months, this additional time will ensure that our agents can best serve their clients.
Conclusion
If you support OIA’s legislative initiative to extend Ohio’s notification period for non-renewal of insurance policies, please contact George Christy at George@ohioinsuranceagents.com to share how the current timeframe has impacted your clients and agency.
Advocacy from agents has a meaningful role in driving this legislative change. As independent agents, you provide your clients with the guidance they need to make informed coverage decisions. Extending the notification period is a practical step toward strengthening consumer protection and ensuring smooth transitions for policyholders. With your help and advocacy, we can make this change happen here in Ohio.
About the Author:
George Christy joined the Ohio Insurance Agents (OIA) as the new Government Affairs Manager, starting on January 6, 2025. George brings experience from his previous roles at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). At ODOT, he was part of the communications team, and he worked on legislative and regulatory issues with the Legislative Affairs team. George brings experience from his work on state legislative campaigns, his time as a Legislative Aide in the Ohio House of Representatives, and his roles at a state agency. George grew up in Delaware County and is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he studied Political Science and Economics.
