Ohio Mutual Insurance Group auto insurance

Overview

Ohio Mutual Insurance Group is a member-owned property and casualty insurer headquartered in Bucyrus, Ohio. It sells personal auto, homeowners, renters, farm and commercial coverage exclusively through independent agents, nearly 600 agencies as of October 2026. The Ohio Mutual Group ranked #94 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written, with $153.9 million and a 0.04% market share, according to NAIC market share data.

Ohio Mutual offers auto insurance in seven states: Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont. The group also operates in Wisconsin through United Mutual Insurance Company and, since October 1, 2026, in Idaho through Gem State Insurance; both keep their own brand names. The operating companies are Ohio Mutual Insurance Company, its subsidiary United Ohio Insurance Company, Maine-domiciled Casco Indemnity Company, United Mutual and Gem State, all under the holding company Ohio Mutual Insurance Group, Inc. Mark C. Russell has been president since 2015 and chief executive since January 2016.

History

Ohio Mutual began in 1901 as the Ohio Mutual Tornado, Cyclone and Windstorm Insurance Association, protecting Ohio farmers and property owners against storm damage, and it has been based in Bucyrus since 1909. When it celebrated its centennial in 2001, direct written premium reached $100 million.

Growth outside Ohio came late. The company sold its first out-of-state policy in 2003, to a business owner in Rhode Island. Its 2010 acquisition of Casco Indemnity Company of Maine brought it into five New England states, and in 2019 it introduced its full product line in Indiana. In 2020 policyholders voted to adopt a mutual holding company structure, which extended mutual membership to all insureds.

Two mergers followed. Wisconsin-based United Mutual Insurance Company joined on October 1, 2023, adding about 6,000 policyholders and 40 agencies, and Idaho-based Gem State Insurance joined on October 1, 2026, adding nearly 13,000 policyholders and more than 60 agencies. In July 2026, as it marked its 125th anniversary, Ohio Mutual said it expected direct written premium to reach $500 million that year.

Auto insurance coverage

Ohio Mutual's auto policy includes the core coverages: bodily injury and property damage liability, comprehensive and collision, medical payments, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, including uninsured motorist property damage. Its list of key coverages also includes several extras:

• Towing and labor coverage with roadside assistance
• An accidental death benefit
• Coverage for newly acquired vehicles
• Injured pet coverage

Coverage details and discounts vary slightly by state, so your agent will confirm what is included where you live.

Discounts and programs

Ohio Mutual's published auto discounts include multi-vehicle, a multi-policy discount for also insuring your home and umbrella, good student and away-at-school, anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes and passive restraints, and savings through certain pay plans and paperless policies. In some states or products it also offers discounts for trucks and SUVs, accident forgiveness, prior coverage, certain occupations and a telematics program. The company does not publish a brand name or details for its telematics offering, so ask your agent whether it is available in your state and how driving data is used.

Claims

Members can report a claim through the Member Access customer portal, the Ohio Mutual Mobile app or by phone at 888-895-7725. Roadside assistance is reached on the same number by selecting option 1. Drivers involved in an accident with an Ohio Mutual member can file a claim online, by phone, or through an agent. The mobile app lets you report and follow claims, contact your claim representative, pay bills, set up AutoPay and save ID cards to Apple Wallet or Google Pay.

Ratings and reputation

Ohio Mutual announced in October 2025 that AM Best had affirmed its A (Excellent) financial strength rating for the 33rd consecutive year, covering Ohio Mutual Insurance Company, United Ohio, Casco Indemnity and United Mutual, and described the outlook as stable. The previous year's review was more cautious: in October 2024 AM Best affirmed the A rating but kept a negative outlook on the group's issuer credit ratings because it had posted underwriting losses for two and a half years, driven by the two largest catastrophe events in its history and inflation in claim costs. AM Best said management was responding with rate increases, re-underwriting, non-renewal of particular coverages, inspections and higher deductibles. Ohio Mutual has been named to the Ward's 50 list of top-performing insurers nine times since 2009. It is not among the insurers ranked in J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the North Central or New England regions.

Who it suits

Ohio Mutual suits drivers in Ohio, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island who want a mutual carrier with a long record, prefer working with a local independent agent and want to package auto with home or farm coverage. Injured pet and accidental death coverage are useful options. It is not an option for drivers elsewhere, and the company has responded to recent storm losses with re-underwriting and higher deductibles.

• Strengths: AM Best A (Excellent) for 33 straight years; 125-year history and member ownership; injured pet, accidental death and newly acquired vehicle coverage available; mobile app with digital ID cards and claim tracking.
• Weaknesses: Auto sold in only seven states; telematics and several discounts limited to certain states; AM Best placed a negative outlook on its issuer credit ratings in 2023 and 2024 after underwriting losses; no direct online purchase.

How to contact Ohio Mutual Insurance Group