IMPORTANT: HOMEOWNERS/ BUSINESS INSURANCE INFORMATION
Reprinted from The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore County Digest section
Originally published October 26, 2006
Baltimore County fire officials announced yesterday that an organization that measures risk for insurance companies has determined the rural areas of the county are better protected from fire than before.
Insurance Services Office has changed the county's fire protection rating in the rural area not served by fire hydrants from nine to six under a scale of one to 10, with one being the safest, fire officials said. Areas of the county served by public water continue to receive a three in the most recent ratings, which were issued to the fire department in June, officials said.
Most insurance companies rely on the ISO's findings in setting rates, officials said. The county began to install underground storage tanks after a 1995 fire that destroyed Sparks Elementary School. Since then, 27 underground water storage tanks with a capacity of at least 30,000 gallons have been installed, fire officials said. About 35 additional tanks that hold 12,000 gallons of water have been installed by developers, fire officials said.
If your residence or business is located in the non-hydranted (Rural) area of Baltimore County, and is less than five (5) miles from a Fire Station, check with your insurance company. If they use the ISO rating figures to calculate your insurance premium you may be entitled to a reduction in your premium because of this change. This rate change went into effect as of October 1, 2006.
