The new West U ISO Fire Rating Could Save You on Your Home Insurance

The city of West University Place Fire Department recently received an upgraded ISO public protection classification (PPC) from the Texas Department of Insurance from Class 2 to Class 1; the highest rating a city can receive. The upgrade in ISO classification is significant because Class 1 represents exemplary fire protection.

The PPC rating measures a community’s structure fire suppression system capabilities and is used by most insurance underwriters as a tool to determine insurance rates for residential and commercial insurance policies.  Public Protection Classifications rate communities on a scale of 1 to 10.  Class 1 represents exemplary fire protection and Class 10 does not meet minimum recognition.

What does this mean for West U residents? It could mean savings. You should contact your property insurance provider as you may be eligible for a reduced property insurance premium due to the new classification. 

Through the years, the city has upgraded this rating from its original Class 5 PPC rating assigned in 1998, to a Class 2 rating in 2002 and most recently, to the top rating of Class 1.  From the original Class 5 to the new Class 1, the city has reduced homeowner’s insurance rates by approximately 14 percent.

The ISO rates approximately 48,000 cities and communities nationwide.  Of these 48,000 communities, only 60 communities nationwide, 18 of which are in Texas, have earned ISO’s highest rating, Class 1.  These numbers are based on ISO’s 2014 published countrywide distribution of communities.

A PPC evaluation assesses fire suppression capabilities by evaluating 3 main categories:

• 50 percent of point total- Fire Department 
• 40 percent of point total - Water Distribution System 
• 10 percent of point total - Emergency Communications (dispatch)

Make sure to check to see if you could be saving on your insurance! To learn more about the City of West University Place, visit us at our website.