Lehigh’s Fire Marshal Ken Bennett said today that residents and local businesses in the Lehigh Acres fire coverage area should contact their insurance company prior to policy renewal to make sure that their insurance carrier is aware of a new classification awarded the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District by ISO Properties Inc.

Bennett said the Lehigh Acres Fire Dept. has been given an improved Public Protection Classification (PPC), which plays an important role in the underwriting process at insurance companies.

“One local insurance company in Lehigh has indicated a potential savings of $200 for a policy. Savings will vary from company to company,” Bennett said.

“This is good news for our community.”

In a letter from Richard A. Vance, a representative from ISO, he said that the largest companies use PPC information as part of their decision-making when deciding what businesses to write coverage’s to offer or prices to charge for personal or commercial property insurance.

By gaining the designation, Bennett said Vance told the department that each insurance company independently determines the premiums it charges to its policyholders. The way an insurer uses ISO’s information on public fire protection may depend on several things the Insurance company’s fire-loss experience, ratemaking methodology, underwriting guidelines, and its marketing strategy.

It is important to note that one or more of the large insurance companies utilize their own data formulas to devise their own protection classification, Vance said.

The new PPC provides a rating of “4” for areas that are located within 1,000 feet of a municipal fire hydrant and within five road miles of a staffed fire station. There are five fire stations in Lehigh including the one on Homestead Rd., Gunnery Rd., Sunshine Blvd. near 16th St., Milwaukee Blvd. and on Joel Blvd.

Vance said this rating has not changed since their last evaluation in 1998.

“An improved PPC rating of ‘8B’ has been provided and will benefit areas of the fire district that do not have an established municipal fire hydrant within 1,000 feet of their structure, but are within five road miles of a staffed fire station,” Vance went on to tell local fire fighters officials.

This will benefit a majority of the residential properties in Lehigh Acres, Fire Marshal Bennett said.

He attributed the hard work and efforts of the Lehigh Acres fire Control and Rescue District, mobile water supply, training, personnel and equipment, as well as the Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) current infrastructure and capabilities to the community as having made the improved rating.

All other areas of the Fire District that are more than five road miles are considered a “10.” On a scale of one to 10, one is the best rating that could be attained and a “10” represents areas that are more than five road miles from an established and recognized (ISO) fire station.

Bennett said the new rating is great news for Lee County,

He went on to say that if the public has any questions about the recent evaluation or what their classification is, they can contact the fire department at 239-303-5300 or email kenb@lehighfd.com for more information.

“Our District staff will be happy to respond as soon as possible to any questions,” Bennett said.