Exhibit 99




Analyst contact:
Dennis E. McDaniel
Vice President of 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 release at 1:30 p.m. EDT on Sept. 30, 2004


              The Ohio Casualty Insurance Company Commercial Lines
              ----------------------------------------------------
                     Executive to Pursue Other Opportunities
                     ---------------------------------------


FAIRFIELD, OHIO, SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 -- Ohio Casualty Corporation (NASDAQ:
OCAS) has announced that Jeffery L. Haniewich, executive vice president and
chief operating officer of the Commercial Lines Division of The Ohio Casualty
Insurance Company, has left to pursue other career opportunities. The company
has commenced a search for a successor.

Mr. Haniewich, 57, joined Ohio Casualty in 1998 as regional vice president of
the Raleigh (NC) Regional Office. He had been in his most recent position
since 2001.

President of Insurance Operations Elizabeth M. Riczko stated: "Jeff has been
an integral part of the development and execution of our strategy. We thank
Jeff for his contributions to achieving improved results for the company and
wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Chief Executive Officer Dan R. Carmichael added: "We appreciate the positive
role Jeff played in achieving our turnaround. We remain on target to achieve
our strategic objectives."




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 Groupsm.  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.



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