Courtesy Wsbtv.comMILTON, Ga. -- Some residents in Milton have good reason to watch the mail for their next insurance bill -- it's going down significantly thanks to a new insurance rating earned by the Milton Fire Department.
When Milton became a city, sections of the community inherited a not so stellar fire safety rating from Fulton County, city leaders told Channel 2’s Jim Strickland
Recently the insurance industry figured out Milton is a department in and of itself and residents will immediately benefit, according to Fire Chief Robert Edgar.
“I think there are going to be quite a few that will be pleasantly surprised with the change in the rating,” said Edgar.
Insurance fire ratings are like golf scores; the lower the better. Sections of Milton, formerly covered by Fulton County's rating, are going from a nine rating to a four.
“This is an exceptionally good improvement in terms of safety and the amount of money people are paying for insurance,” said Georgia Insurance Information Service spokesman Dave Colmans.
According to GIIS figures, the owner of a $250,000 home in the affected area can expect a premium drop of nearly $900, given standard rates.
“It was a matter of moving our resources around to provide better coverage and staffing for our units,” said Edgar of the effort to achieve the new rating.
Edgar said the new rating and new insurance rates don't get published until spring so they’re still trying to figure out how many residents will benefit.
Edgar admits an even better rating is possible, but that will take more staff, more fire stations and more money.
