Exhibit 99





Analyst contact:
Dennis E. McDaniel
Vice President, Strategic Planning and Investor Relations
513-603-2197
dennis.mcdaniel@ocas.com

Media contact:
Cindy L. Denney
Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications
513-603-2074 (ofc.), 513-703-7372 (cell)
cindy.denney@ocas.com


For Immediate Release
- ---------------------

                       Ohio Casualty Corporation Appoints
                           New Director to its Board
                       ----------------------------------


FAIRFIELD, OHIO, AUGUST 19, 2004 -- Ohio Casualty Corporation (NASDAQ: OCAS)
has appointed Michael L. Wright, 53, Fortville, IN, a member of its Board of
Directors, effective Aug. 19, 2004.

Mr. Wright has served in a number of executive positions, including his most
recent position as senior vice president and chief administrative officer for
CNA Insurance, Nashville, TN. Prior to that, he was a managing partner with
Technology Partners International, Houston, TX, president and chief operating
officer of Renaissance Inc., Indianapolis, IN; senior vice president and chief
information officer of Lincoln National Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN; and
senior vice president and chief information officer for Anthem Blue Cross/Blue
Shield, Indianapolis, IN.

"Michael brings to the Board a valuable perspective as a successful business
executive in the insurance and technology arenas," commented President and CEO
Dan R. Carmichael, CPCU. "His experience as a leader and administrator, coupled
with his knowledge of information systems, will be a valuable and welcome
resource for the board."




A graduate of Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, Mr. Wright also holds a
master's degree in business administration/finance from Mercer University,
Atlanta, GA. He also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Fellow
Life Management Institute (FLMI) designations.

Mr. Wright participated in the Greater Baltimore Leadership Program and the
Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Program, Indianapolis, IN. He is a former board
member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Hospital, Carmel, IN; the Parkview
Health Systems of Fort Wayne, IN; and IVANS Inc., (Insurance Value Added
Network Services), Greenwich, CT.

Corporate Profile
Ohio Casualty Corporation is the holding company of The Ohio Casualty
Insurance Company, which is one of six property-casualty subsidiary companies
that make up Ohio Casualty Group.  The Ohio Casualty Insurance Company was
founded in 1919 and is licensed in 49 states.  Ohio Casualty Group is ranked
48th among U.S. property/casualty insurance groups based on net premiums
written (Best's Review, July 2004).  The Group's member companies write auto,
home and business insurance.  Ohio Casualty Corporation trades on the NASDAQ
Stock Market under the symbol OCAS and had assets of approximately $5.6
billion as of June 30, 2004.


                                    -30-