Trumbull County Insurance Premiums Rise 23.25% Under Ohio's CORSA Self-Insured Program

Trumbull County, Ohio, is experiencing a significant increase in its insurance costs under its self-insurance program, County Risk Sharing Authority (CORSA), which covers 72 out of 88 counties in Ohio. The county's insurance premium is set to rise by 23.25% from $825,384 in the expiring contract to $1,029,692 in the new term, reflecting an upward trend seen over recent years with increases from $552,269 in 2021 to $825,384 in 2024. The premium breakdown for the 2025 contract includes $314,144 for property insurance, $603,609 for liability insurance, and $111,939 for county auto and fleet coverage. The general liability premium alone is increasing by 41%, a situation influenced by claims history from the previous three to seven years, which insurers use to assess risk and calculate premiums.

The county's Human Resources Director highlighted contributing factors to the cost increase, including an expanded vehicle fleet now totaling 375 vehicles, leading to higher auto-related premiums. Property insurance costs also rose, and county officials are being advised to maximize the use of existing properties to avoid unnecessary expenses. The liability insurance covers a broad range of exposures including general liability, public officials, law enforcement, and foster parents, with current open lawsuits involving wrongful death and other claims against county employees contributing to the higher liability costs.

While the county's insurance costs have escalated, Trumbull County is no longer under warning status from CORSA regarding its eligibility for coverage despite the numerous lawsuits it faces. Efforts have been made to engage CORSA representatives annually and implement preventive training programs for county personnel to mitigate legal risks, particularly targeting public officials to reduce future claims. These measures reflect a focus on risk management and controlling insurance costs amid ongoing legal exposures.

Overall, the rising insurance premiums for Trumbull County underscore broader challenges faced by local governments in managing risks and controlling insurance costs under shared-risk self-insurance pools. The case illustrates the impact of claims history, asset management, and proactive risk mitigation strategies on public sector insurance programs.