Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund

Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Provides insurance coverage for property damage caused by mine subsidence in Pennsylvania.

Mine Subsidence Insurance | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Mine Subsidence Insurance Mine subsidence insurance covers losses from earth movement and damage from the collapse of underground coal and clay mines in Pennsylvania. Apply, Renew, or Check Status Millions of structures in Pennsylvania are located over old, abandoned underground coal and clay mines.

\r\n Mine Subsidence Insurance pays for losses from unanticipated earth movement related to abandoned underground mines. It covers damage from the collapse of underground coal and clay mines in Pennsylvania. \r\n The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection offers this coverage because homeowner's insurance usually does not include it.

Millions of structures in Pennsylvania are located over old, abandoned underground coal and clay mines. Mine Subsidence Insurance pays for losses from unanticipated earth movement related to abandoned underground mines. It covers damage from the collapse of underground coal and clay mines in Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection offers this coverage because homeowner's insurance usually does not include it.

Apply for Mine Subsidence Insurance coverage Check Annual Premium Rates Insurance Producer Login and Register to Sell Mine Subsidence Insurance Apply for Mine Subsidence Insurance coverage Check Annual Premium Rates Insurance Producer Login and Register to Sell Mine Subsidence Insurance How to Apply for Mine Subsidence Insurance If your home is at risk, coverage is available and affordable. Residential coverage of $150,000 costs $41.

25 a year. Since 1961, the Mine Subsidence Insurance program has paid out over $47 million in homeowner claims. \n Coverage would be for complete and under-construction buildings, appurtenances, and incidental losses.

Mine subsidence coverage is available from $5,000 to $1,000,000. \n You should insure your home for its replacement value plus 20%. This covers losses to appurtenances and incidental costs.

Residential coverage costs about 27 cents for every $1,000 of coverage. Use the premium calculator to estimate your premium. Apply for Mine Subsidence Insurance coverage .

Check your application status , policy status , or renew . \n \n The Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI) Fund does not disclose nonpublic personal financial information about its customers to nonaffiliated third parties except as permitted by law. Learn more about confidentiality .

If your home is at risk, coverage is available and affordable. Residential coverage of $150,000 costs $41. 25 a year.

Since 1961, the Mine Subsidence Insurance program has paid out over $47 million in homeowner claims. Coverage would be for complete and under-construction buildings, appurtenances, and incidental losses. Mine subsidence coverage is available from $5,000 to $1,000,000.

You should insure your home for its replacement value plus 20%. This covers losses to appurtenances and incidental costs. Residential coverage costs about 27 cents for every $1,000 of coverage.

Use the premium calculator to estimate your premium. Apply for Mine Subsidence Insurance coverage . Check your application status , policy status , or renew .

The Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI) Fund does not disclose nonpublic personal financial information about its customers to nonaffiliated third parties except as permitted by law. Learn more about confidentiality . First, find out if your home is at risk of sitting top of an abandoned mine.

\n Then, fill out the MSI Site-Specific Request Form to request information about underground mining at your location. First, find out if your home is at risk of sitting top of an abandoned mine. Then, fill out the MSI Site-Specific Request Form to request information about underground mining at your location.

Only insurance producers with property and casualty authority in Pennsylvania may submit Mine Subsidence Insurance applications. They will receive payment for implementing policies. Insurance Producer Login and Register to Sell Mine Subsidence Insurance If you need to request an insurance certificate, please contact us at RA-EPMSI@pa.

gov . If you are getting an error message about your insurance license being expired please contact us at RA-EPMSIECOM@pa. gov How to Submit Applications Insurance Producer Login and Register to Sell Mine Subsidence DEP GreenPort Instructions (PDF) Insurance Producer Agreement (PDF) Instructions to Submit an Application (PDF) Mine Subsidence Loss and Coverage The Mine Subsidence Insuring Agreement defines mine subsidence.

It is the movement of the ground surface due to the collapse of underground coal or clay mines. \n This includes the roof, floor, and pillars of those mines linked to the tunnels and voids created by extracting coal and clay. \n A Mine Subsidence Insurance Policy covers damage caused by mine subsidence.

Coverage also extends to losses from the movement of the ground due to a sudden and unexpected discharge of water, known as a mine water blowout. For further explanations of coverage, please refer to the Insuring Agreement . \n Mine subsidence features usually take the form of either ground collapse (often called \"sinkholes\") or troughs.

Ground collapse is common in areas overlying shallow room-and-pillar mines. Open holes occur when a mine roof collapses into a mine opening. This causes the overlying ground to cave in, creating a depression in the surface.

\n Please note that Mine Subsidence Insurance does not apply to sinkholes that occur as a result of limestone weathering. \n Most collapses develop where the cover is less than 50 feet. The cover is the vertical distance between the coal seam and the surface.

\n This type of subsidence is usually localized. It affects a small area of the overlying surface. However, subsidence often causes severe damage to structures and surfaces.

It can be quite dramatic and costly. Ground collapse related to mine subsidence has caused extensive damage to many homes and properties. \n Modern active underground mines are too deep to cause ground collapse or “sinkhole” subsidence.

\n The DEP will not allow underground mining beneath structures where the overburden is less than 100 feet (30. 5 m), per current regulations. This is unless a subsidence control plan shows that the mine workings will be stable and will not damage the structures.

\n Subsidence troughs induced by room-and-pillar mining can occur over active or abandoned mines. The damage from surface impacts can be similar. However, the causes of the subsidence are very different.

\n In abandoned mines, troughs usually occur when the overburden sags. This can happen due to failed, remnant mine pillars. Or the pillars may have punched into a soft mine floor or roof.

\n It is difficult to predict if or when an abandoned mine will fail. Abandoned mines may collapse decades after mining ends. This is true if the mine workings were not designed for long-term support.

\n Pictures of typical damages to structures caused by mine subsidence \n Pictures of homes repaired by the MSI Fund \n Pictures of homes torn down and replaced as a result of mine subsidence The Mine Subsidence Insuring Agreement defines mine subsidence. It is the movement of the ground surface due to the collapse of underground coal or clay mines.

This includes the roof, floor, and pillars of those mines linked to the tunnels and voids created by extracting coal and clay. A Mine Subsidence Insurance Policy covers damage caused by mine subsidence. Coverage also extends to losses from the movement of the ground due to a sudden and unexpected discharge of water, known as a mine water blowout.

For further explanations of coverage, please refer to the Insuring Agreement . Mine subsidence features usually take the form of either ground collapse (often called "sinkholes") or troughs. Ground collapse is common in areas overlying shallow room-and-pillar mines.

Open holes occur when a mine roof collapses into a mine opening. This causes the overlying ground to cave in, creating a depression in the surface. Please note that Mine Subsidence Insurance does not apply to sinkholes that occur as a result of limestone weathering.

Most collapses develop where the cover is less than 50 feet. The cover is the vertical distance between the coal seam and the surface. This type of subsidence is usually localized.

It affects a small area of the overlying surface. However, subsidence often causes severe damage to structures and surfaces. It can be quite dramatic and costly.

Ground collapse related to mine subsidence has caused extensive damage to many homes and properties. Modern active underground mines are too deep to cause ground collapse or “sinkhole” subsidence. The DEP will not allow underground mining beneath structures where the overburden is less than 100 feet (30.

5 m), per current regulations. This is unless a subsidence control plan shows that the mine workings will be stable and will not damage the structures. Subsidence troughs induced by room-and-pillar mining can occur over active or abandoned mines.

The damage from surface impacts can be similar. However, the causes of the subsidence are very different. In abandoned mines, troughs usually occur when the overburden sags.

This can happen due to failed, remnant mine pillars. Or the pillars may have punched into a soft mine floor or roof. It is difficult to predict if or when an abandoned mine will fail.

Abandoned mines may collapse decades after mining ends. This is true if the mine workings were not designed for long-term support.

Pictures of typical damages to structures caused by mine subsidence Pictures of homes repaired by the MSI Fund Pictures of homes torn down and replaced as a result of mine subsidence View the Illustrated Effects of Mine Subsidence Poster General Questions and Answers How do I sell Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI)? Insurance producers licensed in Pennsylvania with property authority may sell MSI.

The " DEP GreenPort Information " pdf explains how to register and login through our eCommerce Portal ( DEP GreenPort ). Once registered, you use GreenPort to submit applications and make commissions. Insurance producers licensed in Pennsylvania with property authority may sell MSI.

The " DEP GreenPort Information " pdf explains how to register and login through our eCommerce Portal ( DEP GreenPort ). Once registered, you use GreenPort to submit applications and make commissions. Does MSI provide leads or lists of potential MSI applicants that might be interested in this coverage?

No, but the Insurance Producer page contains a Sales Kit and marketing ideas that you can use to quickly identify your customers at risk and then contact them. No, but the Insurance Producer page contains a Sales Kit and marketing ideas that you can use to quickly identify your customers at risk and then contact them. How do I check on mining conditions and determine if my customer needs coverage?

Search the mining conditions under a site using the MSI Risk interactive mapping application. Sites can be located by: entering and address, latitude and longitude, or municipality using the Locate Site tools. Once a site is located, a message will appear on the screen with the mining status and whether or not Mine Subsidence Insurance is recommended.

Repeat the process to check multiple sites. \n Producers must still submit applications through the DEP Greenport . Do not use the link on the interactive map.

Search the mining conditions under a site using the MSI Risk interactive mapping application. Sites can be located by: entering and address, latitude and longitude, or municipality using the Locate Site tools. Once a site is located, a message will appear on the screen with the mining status and whether or not Mine Subsidence Insurance is recommended.

Repeat the process to check multiple sites. Producers must still submit applications through the DEP Greenport . Do not use the link on the interactive map.

How can I increase the number of applications I submit? Go to the Sales Kit link on the Insurance Producers homepage and use the Sales Tips & Tools to dramatically increase your applications. Not only will your customers be greatly served, the commissions that result will astonish you.

One agent followed the strategy and submitted close to 100 applications in the first two months of operations. That agent has already made more than $5,000 in commissions! Go to the Sales Kit link on the Insurance Producers homepage and use the Sales Tips & Tools to dramatically increase your applications.

Not only will your customers be greatly served, the commissions that result will astonish you. One agent followed the strategy and submitted close to 100 applications in the first two months of operations. That agent has already made more than $5,000 in commissions!

Is the agent required to service these policies? Does any billing come through the agent's office? The agent only places the policy with us.

The MSI office handles all billings, claims, increases, policy updates, and refunds. The agent only places the policy with us. The MSI office handles all billings, claims, increases, policy updates, and refunds.

There are several agents in our office that want to submit MSI applications. Do we all need to register or can we register as one agency account? Appurtenances are defined as fences, retaining walls, paved or improved patios, walks, driveways, and in ground swimming pools.

All appurtenances must be permanently affixed and securely attached to the land surface and adjacent to and used in conjunction with the part of the insured structure that is the building. Damage to appurtenances is limited to 10% of the coverage amount and covered only if the insured structure is damaged by the same event.

Appurtenances are defined as fences, retaining walls, paved or improved patios, walks, driveways, and in ground swimming pools. All appurtenances must be permanently affixed and securely attached to the land surface and adjacent to and used in conjunction with the part of the insured structure that is the building.

Damage to appurtenances is limited to 10% of the coverage amount and covered only if the insured structure is damaged by the same event. When is the policy effective? All applications are subject to review.

The policy effective date is the day it is submitted online, as long as payment is received within 60 days. After 60 days, MSI will accept payment, but coverage is effective as of the date the payment is received. All applications are subject to review.

The policy effective date is the day it is submitted online, as long as payment is received within 60 days. After 60 days, MSI will accept payment, but coverage is effective as of the date the payment is received. How does an existing policyholder increase their coverage amount?

Please have the policyholder call 1-888-357-2674. If they reach our voicemail system, they can leave a message with their policy number and the new amount of insurance desired (maximum $1,000,000 or the replacement value of the structure plus 20% to coverage losses to the appurtenances and incidental costs, whichever is less). We pro-rate the current premium and bill them for the difference.

Please have the policyholder call 1-888-357-2674. If they reach our voicemail system, they can leave a message with their policy number and the new amount of insurance desired (maximum $1,000,000 or the replacement value of the structure plus 20% to coverage losses to the appurtenances and incidental costs, whichever is less). We pro-rate the current premium and bill them for the difference.

How do I process a request to increase coverage? Increases to coverage are handled by our in-house staff. Please have the policyholder call 1-888-357-2674.

If they reach our voicemail system, they can leave a message with their policy number and the new amount of insurance desired (maximum $1,000,000 or the replacement value of the structure plus 20% to coverage losses to the appurtenances and incidental costs, whichever is less). We pro-rate the current premium and bill them for the difference. Increases to coverage are handled by our in-house staff.

Please have the policyholder call 1-888-357-2674. If they reach our voicemail system, they can leave a message with their policy number and the new amount of insurance desired (maximum $1,000,000 or the replacement value of the structure plus 20% to coverage losses to the appurtenances and incidental costs, whichever is less). We pro-rate the current premium and bill them for the difference.

How does a policyholder submit a claim for mine subsidence damage? Please have them call our regional office at 1-800-922-1678. When the voicemail options start, immediately dial '0' for the switchboard.

Ask to speak to a MSI Rep about filing a claim. Please have them call our regional office at 1-800-922-1678. When the voicemail options start, immediately dial '0' for the switchboard.

Ask to speak to a MSI Rep about filing a claim. Where can I find the Mine Subsidence Insurance application? Only applications submitted online earn a commission.

Login to the DEP GreenPort via the Producer Login button (follow the registration instructions if a first-time user). At the Main Menu, choose "Create A New MSI Application." Enter the zip code and municipality.

This will either display a map or show a message that indicates if the area is considered to be undermined. If there is a map available, it may take 10 - 30 seconds to load. At this point, you may continue with the application itself, check another location, or return to the Main Menu.

A Customer Information Sheet is available in the sales kit to assist you in collecting the information needed to complete the online application. Only applications submitted online earn a commission. Login to the DEP GreenPort via the Producer Login button (follow the registration instructions if a first-time user).

At the Main Menu, choose "Create A New MSI Application." Enter the zip code and municipality. This will either display a map or show a message that indicates if the area is considered to be undermined.

If there is a map available, it may take 10 - 30 seconds to load. At this point, you may continue with the application itself, check another location, or return to the Main Menu. A Customer Information Sheet is available in the sales kit to assist you in collecting the information needed to complete the online application.

Is my customer's information kept confidential by the MSI Fund? Yes, all your customer's information is kept confidential and secure by the MSI Fund. This is a link to the MSI Fund's policy on Confidentiality of Nonpublic Personal Information .

Yes, all your customer's information is kept confidential and secure by the MSI Fund. This is a link to the MSI Fund's policy on Confidentiality of Nonpublic Personal Information . Do I have to print a copy of the application for my clients to sign?

No, the application is handled electronically. After the application is completed, a PDF version of the data must be reviewed and may be edited. Then the applicant must review and agree to the terms of the Insuring Agreement.

The next screen is a summary of Act 69, which governs electronic transactions/signatures. The applicant "signs" the application when you click on "Accept Data." You must print a copy of the application and the Insuring Agreement and provide them to the applicant for their records.

No, the application is handled electronically. After the application is completed, a PDF version of the data must be reviewed and may be edited. Then the applicant must review and agree to the terms of the Insuring Agreement.

The next screen is a summary of Act 69, which governs electronic transactions/signatures. The applicant "signs" the application when you click on "Accept Data." You must print a copy of the application and the Insuring Agreement and provide them to the applicant for their records.

Can our agency link from our website to the PA Mine Subsidence Insurance website? Your team may use this link to the MSI page on our site, your website. The page is designed to answer homeowners' questions about mine subsidence and instructions on how to apply.

Your team may use this link to the MSI page on our site, your website. The page is designed to answer homeowners' questions about mine subsidence and instructions on how to apply. Does an oil and gas lease affect Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI) coverage?

Oil and gas lease agreements should not affect MSI coverage because they typically do not bargain away the rights of the MSI policyholder to be compensated by third parties for losses caused by mine subsidence, rights that are required under Sections 3. C, 11 and 12 of the MSI insuring agreement .

Oil and gas lease agreements should not affect MSI coverage because they typically do not bargain away the rights of the MSI policyholder to be compensated by third parties for losses caused by mine subsidence, rights that are required under Sections 3. C, 11 and 12 of the MSI insuring agreement . Condominiums and Cooperatives How are condominium and cooperatives insured?

Condominium and cooperative law requires that the association be named as the insured of all common elements, such as the walls, ceilings floors, roofs and other structural components, no matter who pays the premium. Condominium and cooperative associations are required by law to use the settlement proceeds to make repairs to the common elements of the insured unit prior to repairing the non-common elements within the unit.

Condominium and cooperative law requires that the association be named as the insured of all common elements, such as the walls, ceilings floors, roofs and other structural components, no matter who pays the premium. Condominium and cooperative associations are required by law to use the settlement proceeds to make repairs to the common elements of the insured unit prior to repairing the non-common elements within the unit.

Can the condominium or cooperative association apply for coverage for each unit or for the entire structure? If the building is configured vertically, that is with units attached at the floors and ceilings like a high-rise building, then the structure is insured under one policy.

If the building is configured horizontally, that is with the units attached at the walls like a row of houses, then each unit may carry its own policy or all the attached units may be covered under one policy. If the building is configured vertically, that is with units attached at the floors and ceilings like a high-rise building, then the structure is insured under one policy.

If the building is configured horizontally, that is with the units attached at the walls like a row of houses, then each unit may carry its own policy or all the attached units may be covered under one policy. Who can file a claim, the unit owner or the condominium or cooperative association? Either the association or the unit owner may report damage.

Either the association or the unit owner may report damage. What is the amount of commission? Commissions are based upon 50% of the first year's premium.

Agents must now retain their commission. To earn a commission, the application must be submitted online. Commissions are based upon 50% of the first year's premium.

Agents must now retain their commission. To earn a commission, the application must be submitted online. When collecting and submitting the premium to MSI, does the agent send the entire premium or keep the agent's half?

Agents must retain their commission which is one-half of the first year premium. The agent then sends the balance of the premium to the Commonwealth of PA. Agents must retain their commission which is one-half of the first year premium.

The agent then sends the balance of the premium to the Commonwealth of PA. Is MSI still accepting checks for the full premium amount? MSI is no longer accepting checks for the full premium amount.

Agents/agencies are required to retain their commissions. If the commission is not retained, the check will be returned to you. MSI is no longer accepting checks for the full premium amount.

Agents/agencies are required to retain their commissions. If the commission is not retained, the check will be returned to you. What is the commission policy regarding applications for structures that are currently or have previously been insured?

Commissions will not be paid if the structure under application has carried coverage within one year of the date of a new application and the titled ownership has not changed. Commissions will not be paid if the structure under application has carried coverage within two years of the date of a new application, the titled ownership has not changed, and the agent or agency submitting the application has not changed.

Commissions will not be paid if the structure under application has carried coverage within one year of the date of a new application and the titled ownership has not changed. Commissions will not be paid if the structure under application has carried coverage within two years of the date of a new application, the titled ownership has not changed, and the agent or agency submitting the application has not changed.

I submitted an application and selected to have the commission come to me. Can I change it so that the commission will go to the agency or visa versa? We do not have the capabilities to change the assignment of a commission.

However, you may select the option you desire when you submit your next application. We do not have the capabilities to change the assignment of a commission. However, you may select the option you desire when you submit your next application.

Can a commission go the agency? Yes, commissions can go to an insurance agency. On the Pending Applications page, select the agency field at the bottom of the screen and then click on ?

Generate Invoice.? Search for your Agency by using just part of the Agency Name and the '%%' wildcard. From the search results, click the "Pick" button beside the Agency to which the commission should be assigned.

Yes, commissions can go to an insurance agency. On the Pending Applications page, select the agency field at the bottom of the screen and then click on ? Generate Invoice.?

Search for your Agency by using just part of the Agency Name and the '%%' wildcard. From the search results, click the "Pick" button beside the Agency to which the commission should be assigned. What happens if the policy is canceled during the first year?

The Fund will notify you if the policy is canceled within a year of its issuance. You must promptly refund the Fund any unearned portion of the commission that you received for that Mine Subsidence Insurance Policy. Commission returns are based upon a prorated portion of the unearned premiums.

The Fund will notify you if the policy is canceled within a year of its issuance. You must promptly refund the Fund any unearned portion of the commission that you received for that Mine Subsidence Insurance Policy. Commission returns are based upon a prorated portion of the unearned premiums.

Error Messages and Technical Issues Nothing happens when I click on the Login button or the MSI button. Why? Close the DEP GreenPort Login page and click again on the Producer Login link.

Always allow each page to fully load when logging in. Close the DEP GreenPort Login page and click again on the Producer Login link. Always allow each page to fully load when logging in.

Why do I sometimes get "Server Not Found," "URL Not Found" and "Page Not Found" error messages? All of these usually result from the server being busy. Please try again in a few minutes.

All of these usually result from the server being busy. Please try again in a few minutes. Why did I get the following message: ERROR: Invalid username/password combination (auth_fail_exception)?

This indicates that either the username or password was entered incorrectly. The password is case sensitive but the username is not. This indicates that either the username or password was entered incorrectly.

The password is case sensitive but the username is not. I forgot my username. What should I do now?

You can re-register or contact the Application Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa. gov. \n Make sure to include your full name, telephone number and email address. You can re-register or contact the Application Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa.

gov. Make sure to include your full name, telephone number and email address. I forgot my password. What should I do now?

Click on the \"Can't remember your password? \" link below the username and password fields on the DEP GreenPort Login page. Follow the instructions provided and a new password will be emailed to you.

Login with the new password. Do not click on the MSI for Agents button. First, use the Account Administration button, on the left side of the screen, to change this password to one of your choosing.

If you cannot remember your username or did not set up a Password Recovery Hint, you have a couple options. You can either re-register or contact the Applications Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa. gov The help desk will need to know your full name, telephone number and email address.

Your username and a new password will be emailed to you. Click on the "Can't remember your password?" link below the username and password fields on the DEP GreenPort Login page.

Follow the instructions provided and a new password will be emailed to you. Login with the new password. Do not click on the MSI for Agents button.

First, use the Account Administration button, on the left side of the screen, to change this password to one of your choosing. If you cannot remember your username or did not set up a Password Recovery Hint, you have a couple options. You can either re-register or contact the Applications Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa.

gov The help desk will need to know your full name, telephone number and email address. Your username and a new password will be emailed to you. My account is locked.

What should I do now? You can either re-register or contact the Applications Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa. gov to unlock your account.

You can either re-register or contact the Applications Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa. gov to unlock your account. Why can't I display the invoice?

If you clicked on the "Generate Invoices" button and nothing came up, use the Refresh icon. The invoice is a PDF file, which can sometimes take a few moments to load.