Section 3929.44. Application by person unable to obtain basic property or homeowners insurance

(A) Any person having an insurable interest in real property or tangible personal property, or both, at a fixed location in an urban area, who has been unable to obtain basic property insurance or homeowners insurance, shall be granted, upon application to the Ohio fair plan underwriting association, an inspection of the property by representatives of the inspection bureau.

(B) Promptly after the request for inspection is received, an inspection shall be made. An inspection report shall be made available to the applicant upon request.

(C) The association, if it finds that the inspection report shows the property to be insurable by meeting the reasonable underwriting standards contained in the plan of operation approved by the superintendent of insurance, shall cause a policy or binder of basic property insurance or, at the option of the applicant, homeowners insurance, to be issued to the applicant upon payment of the premium.

(D) As part of an application for a policy of basic property insurance or homeowners insurance, an applicant shall, in accordance with procedures and requirements set forth in rules promulgated by the superintendent, certify at least two insurance companies that had been contacted and from whom coverage was not available.

(E) As a condition of the issuance of a binder or policy of basic property insurance or homeowners insurance, an applicant shall, in accordance with procedures and requirements set forth in rules promulgated by the superintendent, certify to the association that there are no outstanding taxes, assessments, penalties, or charges with respect to the property to be insured.

(F) An applicant shall, in accordance with rules promulgated by the superintendent, certify to the association whether or not he has received written notice from an authorized public entity stating that his property is in violation of any building, housing, air pollution, sanitation, health, fire, or safety code, ordinance, or rule. If the inspection report shows the property to be in such violation, or if the applicant otherwise has received such written notice of any such violation, the applicant shall also submit to the association a detailed plan that indicates the manner and estimated period of time in which such violations will be corrected. If the association is satisfied that the violations are subject to correction within a reasonable period of time and that the applicant otherwise meets the requirements of this section, it may cause a policy or binder of basic property insurance or homeowners insurance to be issued to the applicant on the condition that the plan be implemented on schedule and that the property be reinspected. The form of the plan submitted by the applicant and the manner in which this division is implemented shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by the superintendent. Nothing in this division shall be construed to make the association responsible for the detection of any violation of a code, ordinance, or rule of the type described in this division.

Effective Date: 09-26-1984