Regards time frames for insurance policy nonrenewal notifications

H. B. No. 652 IN

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 652

2025-2026

Representatives Lorenz, Brennan

Cosponsors: Representatives King,
Young, McNally, Synenberg, Click, Cockley, Pizzulli, Sigrist, Rogers,
Barhorst, Hall, T., Stephens, Glassburn, Jarrells

To
amend section 3937.26 and to enact section 3937.261 of the Revised
Code
regarding
time frames for insurance policy nonrenewal notifications.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 3937.26

be
amended and section 3937.261

of
the Revised Code be
enacted

to
read as follows:

Sec.
3937.26.
(A)
(A)(1)

An

insurer
may refuse to renew a policy of commercial property insurance,
commercial fire insurance, or commercial casualty insurance other
than fidelity or surety bonds, medical malpractice insurance, and
automobile insurance as defined in section 3937.30 of the Revised
Code, by
mailing

sending
a written notice of the insurer's intention not to renew the policy

to

the
insured
,
at the insured's last known address,

and
the insured's agent or agent of record, as applicable,

at least
thirty

sixty

days
prior to the date of the expiration date of the policy
,
a notice of the insurer's intention not to renew the policy
.

(2)
If the insured has agreed to receive communications from the insurer
via electronic means, the written notice may be sent via electronic
means;

(3)
If the insured has not agreed to receive communications from the
insurer via electronic means, the written notice shall be sent via
mail to the insured's and the agent's last known address.

(4)

Such
notice shall contain all of the following:

(1)
(a)

The policy number;

(2)
(b)

The date of the notice;

(3)
(c)

The expiration date of the policy.

Such
notice of nonrenewal also shall be mailed to the insured's agent.

(B)
If the notice of nonrenewal is
mailed

sent

less
than
thirty

sixty

days
before the expiration date of the policy, the insured's coverage then
in effect remains in effect until
thirty

sixty

days
after the date
of
mailing
the
notice

was
sent
,
unless the
agent,
agent of record, or the
insured
notifies the insurer in writing that the insured accepts the
nonrenewal as stated. The insurer shall notify the insured of the
amount of the premium for the time after the expiration date that the
coverage may remain in effect, and the insured shall pay such premium
unless the insured accepts the stated nonrenewal. The premium must be
calculated using the rates originally applicable to the insured's
coverage then in effect.

Sec.
3937.261.
(A)(1)
An insurer may refuse to renew a personal lines policy of homeowners
insurance, including coverage for tenants or condominium owners or
owner-occupied fire or dwelling property coverage, by sending a
written notice of the insurer's intention not to renew the policy to
the insured and the insured's agent or agent of record, as
applicable.

(2)
If the insured has agreed to receive communications from the insurer
via electronic means, the written notice may be sent via electronic
means;

(3)
If the insured has not agreed to receive communications from the
insurer via electronic means, the written notice shall be sent via
mail to the insured's and the agent's last known address.

(B)(1)
The notice of nonrenewal required under division (A) of this section
shall be sent at least sixty days prior to the expiration date of the
policy.

(2)(a)
If the notice of nonrenewal is sent less than sixty days before the
expiration date of the policy, the insured's coverage then in effect
remains in effect until sixty days after the date the notice was
sent, unless the insured notifies the insurer in writing that the
insurer accepts the nonrenewal as stated.

(b)
The insurer shall notify the insured of the amount of the premium for
the time after the expiration date that the coverage may remain in
effect, and the insured shall pay such premium unless the insured
accepts the stated nonrenewal. The premium shall be calculated using
the rates originally applicable to the insured's coverage then in
effect.

(C)
The notice of nonrenewal required under division (A) of this section
shall include all of the following:

(1)
The policy number;

(2)
The date of the notice;

(3)
The effective date of expiration;

(4)
Either of the following:

(a)
An explanation of the reason for nonrenewal and the information upon
which it is based;

(b)
A statement that such an explanation will be provided to the insured
in writing within five days after the insurer receives a written
request for such an explanation from the insured.

(D)
Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, upon
compliance by the insurer with all requirements of this section, such
an insurance policy expires on the expiration date stated in the
policy and notice of nonrenewal.

Section
2.
That
existing section 3937.26 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.

Section
3.
Sections
1 and 2 of this act take effect six months after the effective date
of this section.