Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Public Protection Classification (PPCTM) Program: ISO's Analysis of Public Fire Protection Capabilities
How does ISO evaluate local fire protection? And what does the classification mean for individual property insurance costs in my community?
ISO's expert staff collects information about municipal fire protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of those communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPCTM) — a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire suppression program does not meet ISO's minimum criteria.
Virtually all U.S. insurers of homes and business property use ISO's Public Protection Classifications in calculating premiums. In general, the price of fire insurance in a community with a good PPC is substantially lower than in a community with a poor PPC, assuming all other factors are equal.
For more information about ISO's PPC program, please visit our special ISO Mitigation Online website.
How can I get the Public Protection Classification for a community?
ISO supplies Public Protection Classifications to insurance companies and agents. Participating customers can access the classifications through ISOnet. If you'd like to sign up for the service, call the ISO Customer Service Center at 1-800-888-4476.
ISO does not supply Public Protection Classifications to policyholders or the general public. For more information, please contact your property insurance company or your agent.
Fire officials and other community officials should call ISO at 1-800-444-4554, selection 2, for help with the PPC information we have for their communities.
How can our community improve its Public Protection Classification?
If your community makes improvements in its fire department, water supply, or emergency communications system, your community may be eligible for a better PPC. Our ISO Mitigation Online website contains a wealth of information on the subject to assist community leaders.
ISO also has a Community Outreach Program to identify communities that have made changes that may affect their PPC codes. We periodically send questionnaires to communities asking about such changes. But you don't have to wait. You can download the questionnaire from the ISO Mitigation Online website and submit it anytime. Or call ISO at 1-800-444-4554, selection 2, to let us know about your change.
