Bomer last year hiked the maximum deductible from 1 percent to 5 percent, with similar required discounts on rates. Statewide average homeowners benchmark rates have gone down slightly four of the five years since the Texas Legislature set up the system effective in 1992. Once, they stayed the same. Last September Bomer replaced the decades-old Key Rate System with a new Fire Suppression Rating Schedule System. The overall effect, however, will be revenue neutral.
Cities can lower local property insurance rates by upgrading their fire protection systems.
For example, Midland and Sweetwater, both within the same rating territory, have widely different benchmark rates because of the quality of their fire fighting capabilities.