INSURANCE RATES IN SAN MIGUEL FIRE SHOULD NOT BE IMPACTED BY SHIFT TO STAND-ALONE DISTRICT, DIRECTOR SAYS

By Miriam Raftery

July 13,2016 (Spring Valley) – A reader of ours posed two questions regarding the San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District board’s decision to drop its contract with Cal Fire and begin the process of returning to being a stand-alone district.

Our reader asked whether the change would affect ISO ratings, which determine property owners’ insurance rates. He also inquired whether the district had considered a partnership with Heartland Fire, as the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon and Lemon Grove have done.

Director Theresa McKenna responded,” The ISO ratings should not be impacted since the level of service is not changing.”  She added, our current ISO Rating is Class 4/4X.  We received a letter dated May 10, 2016 from Insurance Services Office, Inc., advising us it is time for our new survey (the last being in 2009).”

AS for partnering with another agency, she said letters went out to all adjoining agencies including Heartland Fire back in October to see if there was any interest in a partnership, but none expressed interest.  View letters.