Title
Briefing on Insurance Service Office (ISO) Public Protection Classification Summary Report
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The purpose of ISO is to help establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties, insurance companies need reliable, up-to-date information about a community’s fire-protection services. ISO provides that information through the Public Protection Classification (PPC™) program.
ISO collects information on municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of those communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data using their Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). ISO then assigns a Public Protection Classification from 1 to 10. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire-suppression program doesn't meet ISO’s minimum criteria.
To determine a community's Public Protection Classification (PPC™), ISO conducts a field survey. Expert ISO staff visit the community to observe and evaluate features of the fire protection systems. Using our manual called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS), ISO objectively evaluates four major areas:
Emergency communications systems - A review of the emergency communications systems accounts for 10 points of the total classification. The review focuses on the community's facilities and support for handling and dispatching alarms for structure fires.
Fire department - A review of the fire department accounts for 50 points of the total classification. ISO focuses on a community's fire suppression capabilities. ISO measures suppression capabilities based on the fire department's first-alarm response and initial attack to minimize potential loss. Here, ISO reviews such items as engine companies, ladder or service companies, deployment of fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, company personnel, and training.
Water supply - A review of the water supply system accounts for 40 points of the total classification. ISO evaluates the community's water supply system to determine the adequacy for fire suppression purposes. We also consider hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the frequency and completeness of hydrant inspection and flow-testing programs.
Community risk reduction - ISO reviews a community's risk reduction efforts and credit them in the Community Risk Reduction section, which allows for extra credit of up to 5.5 points for a potential total of 105.5. That takes into account fire prevention code adoption and enforcement, public fire safety education, and fire investigation.
After completing the field survey, ISO analyzes the data and calculates a PPC. The grading then undergoes a quality review. The community will receive a notification letter identifying the new PPC. ISO also provides a hydrant-flow summary sheet, along with a Public Protection Classification Summary Report. The summary explains each subcategory and indicates the total points the community earned. The report also indicates the performance needed to receive full credit for each specific section in the schedule, as well as the quantity actually provided.
Discussion:
The Public Protection Classification (PPC™) program recognizes the efforts of communities to provide fire protection services for citizens and property owners. A community’s investment in fire mitigation is a proven and reliable predicator of future fire losses. Insurance companies use PPC information to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance - generally offering lower premiums in communities with better protection. By offering economic benefits for communities that invest in their firefighting services, the program provides an additional incentive for improving and maintaining public fire protection. The program also provides help for fire departments and other public officials as they plan, budget for, and justify improvements.
The most significant benefit of the PPC program is its effect on losses. Statistical data on insurance losses bears out the relationship between excellent fire protection - as measured by the PPC program - and low fire losses. PPC helps communities prepare to fight fires effectively.
Impact:
ISO’s Public Protection Classification (PPC™) information plays an important part in the decisions insurers make affecting the underwriting and pricing of property insurance. In fact, most U.S. insurance companies - including the largest ones - use PPC information in one or more of the following ways:
to identify opportunities for writing new business
to manage the quality of community fire protection across their book of business
to review loss experience in various rating territories
to offer coverages and establish deductibles for individual homes and businesses
Insurance companies - not ISO - establish the premiums they charge to policyholders. The methodology a company uses to calculate premiums for property insurance may depend on the company’s fire loss experience, underwriting guidelines, and marketing strategy.
Here are some general guidelines to help you understand the benefits of improved PPC ratings for residents and businesses:
PPC may affect the underwriting and pricing for a variety of personal and commercial insurance coverages, including homeowners, mobile home, fine arts floaters, and commercial property (including business interruption).
Assuming all other factors are equal, the price of property insurance in a community with a good PPC is lower than in a community with a poor PPC.
Recommendation:
Rec
No Council action is required.
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