Subject:           Change in I.S.O. Rating for the

                        Halfmoon Fire District #1 (Hillcrest VFD)

To:       The Residents of the Halfmoon Fire District #1 (Hillcrest)

Late last year, the Insurance Services Office, Inc.  (I.S.O.) undertook a total re-evaluation of the I.S.O. Public Protection Classification (PPC) of the Halfmoon Fire District #1.  Several companies that offer Homeowner’s Insurance use the I.S.O. PPC ratings to help determine the rates that they will charge their customers for Homeowner’s insurance.  Prior to the re-evaluation that took place in late 2007, the Halfmoon Fire District #1 (Hillcrest VFD) was rated at a 9.  As a result of the re-evaluation, the Halfmoon Fire District #1 now has a dual rating of 5 / 9.  The primary driving force for the dual rating is the extension of the hydrant system for the Town of Halfmoon. 

I.S.O. places a significant weight on the ready availability of water when a structure fire occurs.  In fact, the ready availability of water accounts for 40% of the total scoring of the fire district’s PPC.  The significance of the 5 / 9 rating is that homeowners whose residence is within one-thousand (1,000) feet of a useable fire hydrant, and whose Homeowner’s Insurance Company uses the I.S.O. PPC rating system should see a significant drop in their insurance rates. 

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Halfmoon Fire District #1 urges district homeowners who now have useable fire hydrants within (generally) 1000 feet of their homes to contact their homeowner’s insurance agent to determine if their carrier uses the I.S.O. PPC rating system.  If the answer to that inquiry is affirmative, the homeowner should request a rate reduction as a result of the dual I.S.O. PPC rating that has been given to the Halfmoon Fire District #1.  Should the agent or carrier require confirmation of the re-evaluation, they may contact I.S.O. directly at 1-800-888-4476.

Respectfully,

James McBride, Chairman