FIRE RISK RATES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 852, 21 December 1929, Page 8

FIRE RISK RATES

NO INCREASE ON HOUSE INSURANCE COUNTRY AREAS AFFECTED Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. ‘■The proposed increase in tile fire insurance rates will in the main apply to risks in country unprotected areas, and therefore will barely affect protected areas. The rates on dwellings will not be affected.” This statement was made yesterday by the president of the council of the Fire Underwriters’ Association. “The huge fire waste of the Dominion, which is receiving the consideration of the Government, and which is estimated by Captain T. T. Hugo, inspector of fire brigades, to amount to 22s 6d per capita, has caused very serious losses to underwriters,” he said. “Statistics collected by the Government Statistician | over the last five years show that certain classes of business risks have been particularly unprofitable. The question of revising rates on the basis of the Government Statistician’s returns has received very careful consideration, and as an outcome it has been found necessary to increase certain rates if these risks are to secure insurance protection. “No general increase is contemplated, but special attention has been given to business risks situated in areas where fire protection and water supplies are absent or inadequate. The figures on which these increases are based were compiled by the Government Statistician from time to time for the purpose of framing a scientific schedule of rates, the object being to adjust rates equitably as between different classes of risks according to the claim costs disclosed. The State Fire Office figures are included in the Government Statistician’s returns and the increase, it is understood, will be observed by that office.” The increases are to take effect from January 1.