Addition of Uhrichsville firefighters lowers property insurance costs

• Property owners may be able to save money on insurance for homes and businesses as the result of an improvement in Uhrichsville’s fire risk rating.
• The addition of firefighters was the biggest factor in the improvement.
• The city hired more firefighters after it took over ambulance service from a private company.

UHRICHSVILLE ‒ Property owners may be able to save money on insurance for homes and businesses as the result of an improvement in the city’s fire risk rating.

Fire Chief Justin Edwards told City Council on Thursday that the Insurance Services Office raised the city’s rating from a four to a three. The upgrade took effect Dec. 31.

He said the major factor in the improvement was an increase in fire department staffing, which occurred as a result of a 2020 City Council decision to make the department the primary emergency medical service for the city. A private company previously served as the main provider.

Edwards said the the age and abilities of firefighting apparatus were additional factors.

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The Insurance Services Office, or ISO, is an independent company that serves insurance companies, communities, fire departments, insurance regulators and others by providing information about risk.

Property owners whose insurers have already noted the improvement may not see a change in their policy costs. Edwards said the adjustment will most likely occur when policies are renewed.

Councilwoman Amy Myers advised property owners to let their insurance agents know about the new rating at renewal time.

Edwards said that he received phone calls from insurance agents and residents about underwriters not getting the information about the rating. In one case, the underwriter did not understand that a particular address was within the city limits. He said he was able to provide the correct information for the underwriters to ensure property owners were credited for the improved rating.

“There were some pretty significant savings once we got everything straightened around,” Edwards said. “The one savings that we saw this week was in excess of $300 a year. That would be multiplied if that were a business with greater assets.”

He said he can supply a letter or other documentation to give to an insurance agent, if needed.

The fire chief also told council about these safety measures being taken by the department:

• In four hours on April 22, crews installed 119 smoke detectors in 50 homes where 140 people live. The American Red Cross helped. Edwards said they collected information about homes with fuel-fired appliances that do not have carbon monoxide detectors. He said the department is working to get some for them.

• Community Safety Day will be held from 10 a.m. to noon May 20 at McDonald’s, 101 McCauley Drive. The event will include child car seat checks and free bicycle helmets while supplies last. Information about fire safety and driver safety will be available. A firetruck and firefighters will be present.

• The Tuscarawas County Health Department will hold a popup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 25 at the Uhrichsville Fire Department, 305 E. Second St. Narcan kits, resources for quitting nicotine, programs for families and free cribettes will be offered. A cribette is a safe sleep space for infants.

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR