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Frequently Asked Questions about Mine Subsidience Insurance
 
     Q What is "mine" subsidence?
A Mine Subsidence is caused by the collapse of underground mines causing damage or movement to the property and/or structures located above. For a more detailed explanation, see the Definitions located in the General Information section of this web site.
 
Q How do I get coverage for Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance?
A If you own a 1,2,3, or 4 family dwelling located in an eligible county and have a homeowners, dwelling fire, farm owners, or basic property insurance policy, coverage for mine subsidence can be added to your policy.
 
     Q What counties are eligible for mine subsidence coverage?
A There are 37 Ohio counties that are eligible for Mine Subsidence coverage through the Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance Underwriting Association. Of these 37 counties, 11 are "optional" counties and 26 are "mandatory" counties.
 
     Q What are "optional" counties?
A These are the counties, which have been designated by the Governing Board, in which mine subsidence coverage must be offered to eligible property. Presently there are 11 counties so designated and they are Delaware, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Licking, Medina, Ottawa, Portage, Preble, Summit, and Wayne.
 
     Q What are "mandatory" counties?
A These are the counties, which have been designated by the Ohio Legislature, in which mine subsidence must be provided for eligible property. There are presently 26 counties so designated and they are Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mahoning, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Scioto, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington.
 
     Q What is the premium for the coverage, is there a deductible, and how much coverage can I buy?
A In optional counties, the annual premium is $5.00 and in mandatory counties, the annual premium is $1.00. Coverage can not be greater than the coverage you have on your dwelling structure or $100,000, whichever is less. The deductible is 2% of the coverage on your dwelling with a minimum deductible of $250 and a maximum deductible of $500.
 
     Q How do I know if I need mine subsidence insurance? That is, how can I find out if my home is located over a mine?
A You may contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey at (614) 265-6576 for mapped mine information. The Division of Mineral Resource Management can provide information concerning past mine subsidence complaints, drilling records, reclamation programs and other geotechinal investigations for your area. The contact phone number is (614) 265-7072.
 
     Q Do I have to have Mine Subsidence Insurance? My insurance company added the coverage to my policy and I know there are no mines under my property.
A Evidently, you live in a mandatory county where insurance companies must attach the coverage to your policy if that policy is for a eligible dwelling. Some geologists think that "mapped mines," known to exist from mining records, represent only a portion of the actual mines in Ohio. When the state of Ohio set up the Ohio Mine Subsidence Program, emphasis was given to protecting citizens against mine subsidence loss by designating certain counties as mandatory counties. These are counties extensively undermined where the likelihood of mine subsidence damage/loss is high. For that reason, eligible dwellings in these mandatory counties must be protected against mine subsidence loss by the attachment of the Mine Subsidence Coverage form to the primary insurance policy.
 
     Q Can I get mine subsidence coverage on my barn, shed, and detached garage or personal property?
A There is limited coverage provided for private garages. You will want to review the limits of liability and definitions found in the Limits of Liability. No coverage is available for personal property.
 
     Q My neighbor has some cracks in his walls and foundation, but his Mine Subsidence claim was denied. Why buy the coverage if you can't get paid when you have a loss?
A The Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance Underwriting Association goes to great lengths to determine if a claim presented to the Association is a legitimate mine subsidence. However, if the damage is determined to be the result of any cause other than mine subsidence, the coverage does not apply.
 
     Q I live in an optional county. Why do I have to pay 5 times ($5.00) the premium of those in a mandatory county?
A Traditionally, in the optional counties, less than 5% of the homeowners actually purchase the mine subsidence coverage. However, in the mandatory counties, if insurance is purchased for a eligible family dwelling, the mine subsidence coverage is "rolled on." Obviously, this provides a greater premium base from which claims can be paid and, therefore, a lower premium is appropriate in those mandatory counties.
 
     Q I own a restaurant in a mandatory county. Can I protect my business in the event of a mine subsidence claim ?
A The Mine Subsidence coverage being provided through the Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance Underwriting Association is not available for other than 1-4 family dwellings. Therefore, no coverage is available for your restaurant.
 
     Q My home is valued at $205,000. What would it cost for me to insure it for mine subsidence?
A The maximum coverage available through the Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance Underwriting Association is $100,000. The premium in a mandatory county is $1.00 and in an optional county is $5.00.
 
     Q I live in an Ohio county that is neither an optional nor mandatory county. Can I buy mine subsidence coverage?
A Mine Subsidence coverage is only available in the 37 counties designated as either mandatory or optional counties. When determining which counties would have Mine Subsidence coverage available, the state of Ohio was exceedingly cautious to provide coverage availability in any county which mining was done or was geologically possible. Unless you are in one of these 37 counties, you have no potential for loss by mine subsidence.
 
     Q Is the Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance program a state program?
A Yes, the Association was created by statute and the start up moneys came from or through the state of Ohio. Incidentally, these funds have been repaid to the state by the Association.
 
     Q My neighbor has cracks in his walls and the Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance Underwriting Association's investigation indicates that the damage is due to mine subsidence. I live in an optional county and don't have the Mine Subsidence coverage at this time, but want to purchase it now. I need this coverage right away. What can I do?
A You should contact your insurance agent or insurance company that is providing coverage for your home. Either the agent or the insurance company will be able to provide an application to you. You must complete and return it to them with the $5.00 premium. Please note that there is a 15-day waiting period when adding coverage mid-term (during the term of your homeowners, dwelling fire farm owners, or basic property insurance policy).