Exhibit 99.1






Analyst contact:
Dennis E. McDaniel
Vice President, 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, FEBRUARY 16, 2006 -- Ohio Casualty Corporation (NASDAQ:
OCAS) has appointed Ronald W. Tysoe, 52, Cincinnati, OH, a member of its
Board of Directors, effective March 15, 2006.

Mr. Tysoe is Vice Chairman of Federated Department Stores, Inc., a position
he has held since April 1990. He served on the Federated Board of Directors
from 1988 until May 2005.

"Ron brings to the Board a valuable perspective as a successful business
executive and seasoned board member," commented Ohio Casualty Corporation
President and CEO Dan R. Carmichael, CPCU. "His leadership skills, coupled
with his considerable financial background and knowledge, make him a
welcome addition to our Board."

Mr. Tysoe is a member of the Board of Directors of the E.W. Scripps
Company, serving as Chairman of its Audit Committee and as a member of the
Compensation Committee. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, serving on its Risk Committee.

Active in the Cincinnati community, Mr. Tysoe currently serves as Chairman
of the Board of Cincinnati Country Day School and as a member of the
Cincinnati Zoo Board.




A native of Vancouver, Canada, Mr. Tysoe received his bachelor's degree in
commerce and bachelor's degree in law from the University of British
Columbia.

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 47th among U.S. property/casualty insurance groups based on
net premiums written (Best's Review, July 2005).  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 $5.8 billion as of December 31, 2005.

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