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 section of this web site.

No. Mine Subsidence Insurance covers damage caused by lateral or vertical movement, including collapse, of man-made underground coal mines, clay mines, limestone mines, and salt mines.

No. In addition, Mine Subsidence Insurance does not include damage caused by any surface mines, the collapse of strip mines, storm and sewer drains, rapid transit tunnels, earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, etc.

If you live in a mandatory county, coverage is provided under a valid basic property, homeowners, farm owners, or mobile home owners policy. If you live in an optional county, please contact your insurance agent to add this important coverage to your policy.

1-4 family dwelling structures located in eligible counties are eligible for mine subsidence coverage.

Condo units located in 1-4 family dwelling structures in mandatory and optional counties are eligible for coverage.

1-4 family dwelling structures in mandatory and optional counties are eligible for coverage.

In the event of a claim, covered damage will be limited to the ownership interest you have in the property. For example, if the association owns the foundation of your unit, and you own the drywall of your unit and both are damaged, there would not be coverage for the damage to the foundation. Unit owners and associations are encouraged to review their contracts and/or bylaws.

Coverage is mandatory in 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 counties.

Coverage is optional in Delaware, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Licking, Medina, Ottawa, Portage, Preble, Summit, and Wayne counties.

Coverage cannot be obtained in any other counties.

In mandatory counties, the annual premium is $1.00. In optional counties, the annual premium is $5.00. The premium does not depend on the amount of insurance.

The maximum deductible is $500.

Coverage cannot be greater than the coverage on the dwelling structure or $300,000, whichever is less.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources maintains maps of underground mines. A link to the maps is available on the Links page.

Some counties are extensively undermined where the likelihood of mine subsidence damage is high. For that reason, eligible dwellings in mandatory counties must be protected against mine subsidence damage by the attachment of the Mine Subsidence Coverage form to the primary insurance policy.

There is limited coverage provided for private garages. Please review the limits of liability and definitions found in the Coverage Details. No coverage is available for personal property.

Generally, in the optional counties, less than 10% of the homeowners actually purchase the mine subsidence coverage. This provides a much smaller premium base from which claims can be paid so a higher premium is appropriate in those optional counties.

No. Coverage is only available for 1-4 family dwelling structures located in eligible counties.

Yes, the Association was created by statute and the startup funds came from the state of Ohio. These funds have been repaid to the state by the Association.

Contact the insurance agent or insurance company that provides coverage for your home. Either the agent or the insurance company will be able to provide an application that must be completed and returned to your insurance company with the $5.00 premium. Please note that there is a 15-day waiting period when adding coverage after your policy has started.

A representative from OMSIUA will contact the property owner to discuss the damage at the property. If an inspection is necessary, an engineer will contact the property owner to schedule the inspection. A copy of the engineer's report will be forwarded to OMSIUA for review. A determination of coverage will be made and all parties will be notified.

Additional investigative techniques, like subsurface exploration and survey nets, are often necessary to determine the best course of action. The property may need to be shored or grouted. Representatives from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources are often involved in these processes which can take several months.