Beaumont home and business owners could save up to 20 percent on their insurance premiums, according to at least one insurance agent, due to recent improvements to the city's fire and water departments.
In August 2012, the Insurance Service Office, which creates a statewide standard for insurance companies to gauge home insurance premiums, re-evaluated the city's fire department, water supply and fire engines.
Evaluations are not done annually, but at the request of the cities.
Classifications - listed on a scale of 1-10 (1 for best and 10 for worst) - were given for the fire department's dispatch center, the department's response time and the amount of water available to fight a fire.
Previously rated a Class 4, Beaumont's overall rating improved to a Class 2, making it one of 151 cities in the state with that classification.
"That should cut the insurance rates tremendously," said Chris Mabry, owner of Mabry Insurance.
Jessie Williams, public protection oversight officer with the State Fire Marshal's Office, said Port Arthur and Orange are each rated Class 3 and Jasper is rated a Class 5.
Beaumont was nine points away from receiving a Class 1 rating, Williams said. Only 14 cities in Texas are a Class 1.
Mabry advised Beaumont home and business owners to contact their insurance agents regarding the change in classification - even those with premiums that are not up for renewal.
IMakris@beaumontenterprise.com
Twitter.com/imakris
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