TAVARES — Citizens of unincorporated Lake County may soon find savings on their home insurance bills due to an improved fire protection rating obtained by the Lake County Department of Public Safety Fire Rescue Division.

The independent company ISO, which surveys commercial and personal properties to evaluate the fire protection capabilities of local governments in the United States, announced this week that it was increasing Lake County's fire protection rating from a combination 7/10 rating to a 6/9 combination rating. The rating is based on a 1-10 scale, where the higher ratings tend to translate into higher insurance premiums for homeowners. ISO sends their ratings to insurance companies, which set homeowners premiums based on the ratings.

"This is just the beginning for us," said Gary Kaiser, Director of the Department of Public Safety. "We will continue to work to better this rating."

The new ISO fire rating for Lake County will become effective Sept. 1, 2005. Beginning in September, property owners in unincorporated Lake County can call their insurance providers to be sure their fire insurance premiums reflect this new rating status.

"This is a step in the right direction," said Commissioner Bob Pool. "This is something we have been working on for a long time."

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Contact information:
Christopher Patton
Communications Coordinator
Office: (352) 343-9609; Cell: (352) 455-0445
cpatton@co.lake.fl.us