Rating reduces house insurance in Fire District 13

Homeowners and businesses in Fire District 13 can lower their fire insurance premiums with the District earning a Protection Class 6 fire rating. This gain from its Class 7 rating became effective August 1. It is based on an audit last winter from the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau, WSRB, which underwrites property and provides fire protection ratings for the insurance industry.

“Each rate dropping saves some $150, average, in insurance premiums,” said Roy Horn, chief of Skagit County Fire District 13. “We’ve dropped from eight to six in the last five years.” It is the 17th consecutive year of a clean audit for the District.

The audit commended the District for having a strong internal control environment, reflected by at least 10 years of clean audits. Commissioner Chuck Hedlund thanked the District’s management staff, emergency medical technicians and firefighters for their commitment.

Protection Class ratings for individual dwelling and commercial properties are available free of charge by calling Customer Service at (206) 217-0101 or emailing [email protected]. Residents are encouraged to contact their insurance agents to determine the effect this classification will have on their insurance premiums.

The WSRB is an independent non-profit private insurance rating organization that evaluates the effectiveness of each community’s fire department. Each fire department is given a Rating between 1 and 10.