Starting July 1, 2021, Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI) premiums will be reduced by half and coverage limits will double to $1 million. MSI provides financial compensation to homeowners for losses caused by movements of the earth's surface that results from the collapse of abandoned underground coal and clay mines in Pennsylvania.
Since 1961, the MSI program has paid out over $36 million in homeowner claims. Coverage is provided for complete buildings, buildings under construction, appurtenances to insured structures and for incidental losses that are a consequence of a loss. Insurance coverage is offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
DEP has been elevating its service to the commonwealth. The MSI policy changes should be welcome news to current subscribers, and should encourage uninsured property owners to become insured.
On January 14, 2021, the Coal and Clay Mine Subsidence Insurance Board voted to reduce premiums by about half and increase the coverage limit to $1 million from the $500,000 coverage limit.
In order to implement the changes, DEP needed to enlist the assistance of the Conservation & Environment Delivery Center to make the changes in the web application and database, the Bureau of Office Services to make the changes in the MSI forms, and the Department of General Services who implement DEP's mailings to subscribers.
To learn more about mine subsidence and mine subsidence insurance in Pennsylvania, visit dep.pa.gov/msi.