Bonito Fire Department and Sun Valley Water get a better ISO grade

     Per the letter below, at the ISO gave Bonito Fire Department a grade of 6, from its previous grade of 8.  Fire departments and the serving water systems are graded because insurance companies that sell property insurance to residential and commercial property customers need a means of determining property insurance rates. 

     Most insurance companies that sell property insurance throughout the United States utilize the Insurance Services Office (ISO) to provide that grading. ISO, an independent grading organization, provides a report on fire protection for communities under its Public Protection Classification Program for insurance companies that purchase their services. 

    Ratings are done on a scale of one to ten, with a one being the best rating a fire department can receive. In general, according to ISO, the price of fire insurance in a community with a good Public Protection Classification is substantially lower than in a community with a poor rating, assuming all other factors are equal.

    Next time your home insurance comes up for renewal, ask your agent if you can receive a discount for a better ISO grade in your community.  We were only given the written graded part that covers Sun Valley Water, which is: fire hydrants, supply system and inspection/flow test.