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Ohio Life Insurance

Ohio life insurance laws deal primarily with claims issues. However, familiarizing yourself with some basic regulations is still key to making wise coverage decisions.

This page:

Briefly describes Ohio life insurance regulations.

Explains the protection of the Ohio Guaranty Association.

Links to more information about life insurance in Ohio.

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Ohio life insurance rights and regulations

The insurance industry in the Ohio is regulated under Title 39 of the Ohio Revised Code. These codes outline claims procedures and policy requirements for the benefit of consumers and insurers alike.

One consumer protection is the Ohio law obligating life insurance companies to settle claims in a timely manner. Insurers have two months from the date they receive proof of death to settle a claim. After this, the benefits begin accruing interest.

And while Ohio law does not specifically require a "free look" provision on its life insurance policies, most companies do include this consumer protection. Depending on the company and the policy, this provision grants policyholders a period of 10, 20, or 30 days to change their mind and decline the coverage for a full premium refund.

However, Ohio law does extend some protection to insurers, too. If, during the first two years of a policy, an Ohio insurance company determines that an applicant has misrepresented herself on a life insurance policy or application, the policy may be cancelled. Fraud on the part of a policyholder can result in cancellation at any time during the life of the policy.

During these first two years, Ohio life insurance companies are also exempt from honoring claims where suicide is the cause of death.

Finally, insurers in Ohio are allowed full control over policyholder information. This means that insurers are not required to disclose information to policyholders upon request, nor are they forbidden to share information with other insurance companies.

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If you are ready to apply for an Ohio term life insurance policy, or if you just want a quick online quote, visit Insured Street now.
If you are not sure about what type of life coverage you want, you can also try InsureME. They will put you in touch with agents who can answer any questions that you might have.


The Ohio Life Insurance Guaranty

If your life insurance company is licensed in Ohio, your policy is backed by the Ohio Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association. This organization helps protect you, the insured, should your insurer go bankrupt.

However, there are restrictions on this protection. In Ohio, compensation for lost death benefits is limited to $300,000, and compensation for lost cash surrender is limited to $100,000.

And your insurer must be licensed in Ohio to qualify for the guaranty's backing. To check the status of an insurer, you can call the Department of Insurance, Office of Consumer Services at 1-800-686-1526.

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Apply for a quote with confidence at Insured Street
(for Ohio term life insurance), or InsureME.
Your insurer will be licensed in Ohio.

Other notes on Ohio life insurance

Insurance illustrations, which are finacial projections made by an insurer, are regulated by the state of Ohio.

Viatical settlements, which are policy purchasing agreements, are also regulated by the state. These arrangements involve the third-party purchase of a life insurance policy from the insured. Recent legislation requires licensing of viatical brokers and dealers, so be sure to seek help before arranging a viatical settlement.

More OH life insurance help

If you want more help getting the best value on your OH life insurance policy, start with our guide to term life insurance or sign-up for our free life insurance course (see below).

To find out more about OH life insurance laws and regulations, visit the official website of the Ohio Department of Insurance.










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This website provides general information for educational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. We make no guarantees as to the validity of the information presented. Your particular facts and circumstances, and changes in the law, must be considered when applying life insurance law. You should always consult with a competent life insurance professional licensed in your state with respect to your particular situation.