Clark County Fire District 6 is working to lower insurance rates for rural homeowners in North Clark County.
Residents in rural areas without fire hydrants pay more for residential fire insurance, stated a news release from the fire district.
“In Washington state, insurance companies depend on Protection Class Ratings from the Washington State Survey and Ratings Bureau to determine fire insurance rates,” stated the release. “It’s kind of like the game of golf — the lower (the) score, the better.”
Fire District 6 has a current rating of 3, but in the upper northwest quadrant of the district, the release stated homeowners face a Protection Class 7 or 8A, which costs residents an estimated $500 more in insurance premiums.
The release stated CCFD6 has entered into an agreement with Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue to help lower those insurance rates. CCFR has agreed to respond to the rural areas with a water tender.
“A tender is basically a very large water tank on wheels that provides water to fire engines and substitutes for a fire hydrant,” stated the release. “We recently tested the combination of tender and Fire District 6 engines with WSRB and they passed the testing requirements.”
Since the process is now certified, Fire District 6 encourages community members to send the WSRB certification letter to their homeowner insurance companies to help reduce the cost. The release estimates the change will save 900 people in 340 residences an average of $500 annually.
“District 6 is continually looking to reduce WSRB ratings to benefit our citizens,” stated Fire Chief Kristan Maurer in the release. “It is important to us to reduce the financial impact of those who live in district boundaries while providing the best service and ensuring safety.”
The WSRB certification letter can be found online at
tinyurl.com/2p8uazcv.
