Over the course of this year, many Polk County residents could see lower homeowners’ insurance because of lower ISO (Insurance Service Office) ratings than expected. The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Feb. 2 and heard from Emergency Management Director Bobby Arledge. Arledge said the office of the state fire marshal is scheduled to visit Polk County the week of Feb. 9 to perform fire inspections.
Commissioners approved a new map for Columbus, which includes the addition of a new fire substation, located on Peniel Road. Arledge said the new map now covers the entire Columbus fire district and following the inspection should drop everyone’s insurance rates as no area will be rated higher than an ISO rating of nine.

ISO ratings are from 10-1 with one being the best. Points for an ISO rating include  training, equipment, and the distance a department has to travel between and from fire hydrants. Commissioner Ray Gasperson said that was great news and that the substation was being talked about when he was first elected. Gasperson also said he is often asked by Green Creek residents when its ISO rating will be dropped so their insurance can be lowered. Arledge said Green Creek is also on the list for state inspections so residents could see decreases this year. He said some ratings could be dropped no earlier than April with others no later than September for the county’s rural ratings. Arledge said residents within 900 ft. of a rated fire hydrant are supposed to receive a break on insurance. He said he expects some ISO ratings to drop to at least a seven.

Saluda recently dropped to a five ISO rating, according to Arledge, when it had its latest inspection. The new fire district map for Columbus, with the addition of the substation, shows a six-mile radius around each station. Prior to the substation, there were areas on Peniel, Hugh Champion and Jackson Grove Roads that were outside that six-mile coverage area. With the new station all areas in the district will be covered.

“Once the state approves the substation, those that lived outside the six-mile district will have better insurance rates,” Arledge said.