Improved fire protection means lower insurance rates in Dawson Co.

DAWSONVILLE – Good news for Dawson County residents: Due to a recent certification by the Insurance Services Office, lower homeowners insurance rates may be coming to the county.

The Insurance Services Office’s analysis of Dawson fire services resulted in a lowered Public Protection Class (PPC) for many areas of the county. The PPC gauges the capacity of the local fire department to respond and extinguish a blaze. Departments are rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing the best protection possible and 10 representing no recognized protection.

Emergency Services Director Billy Thurmond said, “For those living within five miles of any of the seven Dawson County fire stations, you will now have a Public Protection Class Six.” This change is effective Aug. 1.

Previously, parts of the county had PPC ratings ranging from 7 to 10. The county was last assessed in 1988.

The Insurance Services Office cited improvements in fire alarms, communications and the water supply system as reasons for the improved rating.

The lowering of the PPC is effectively passed on to citizens in the form of savings on property insurance. According to Thurmond, “If you were a class 9 or 7 before this evaluation, you will save money on your property insurance.”

Thurmond said this could mean an annual savings of $800 for a $250,000 home that was formerly rated class 9 and will now be rated class 6.

Dawson County resident Sharon Fausett, who lives near the Amicalola Falls station, will see improvements in her property insurance premiums. “I am currently a class 9 and will go to a 6,” Fausett said.

“I’m really excited about this, especially in this economy, when everything is going up and my insurance agent tells me my premiums are going down.”

Fausett’s insurance agent estimates she will save between 20-30 percent on her September renewal.

This recent review resulted in two classes for the county—classes 6 and 10.

Thurmond noted the county has opportunities for more improvements, including the upcoming addition of four new pumper/tanker trucks, two service trucks and the construction of Station Two and the new burn tower. These projects will be funded through SPLOST IV and impact fees.