Our Public Protection Classification (PPC®) program evaluates a community’s overall capability to prevent and suppress structure fires. Most U.S. insurers of home and business properties use the PPC in calculating premiums. In general, the price of fire insurance in a community with a good PPC is lower than in a community with a poor PPC, assuming all other factors are equal.
Fires occur despite the best efforts of municipal governments and fire departments to prevent them. The occurrence of a single fire — even with serious results — does not normally affect the PPC assigned to the community. However, if the review of a single fire reveals facts suggesting systemic deficiencies based on our evaluation criteria, we will consult with municipal officials to determine whether a reevaluation is appropriate.