Litchfield enquirer., 1874-12-24
FIRE ASSURANCE.

MR.- EDIToR-As fire insurance or in-
 snring our buildings against loss by fire,
 Iss becoma one of the fixed institutions
 of the land. it is very natural for every
 one to look for the best. cheapest. safest,
 and most reliable branch of the institu-
 tion, for insurance has become so cheap, that if our buildings are-hnrned without insurance, our neighbors have no sympa- known that there is Farmers Insurance company ill Washington, Conn, that IS strictly mutual. They have no funds &C.,
 cumulating to pay for losses, or to hoard
 in the treasury when no loss occurs. They
 charge each applicant just about enough
 to pay for the writing, postage, and incl
 dental expenses. Then, if loss occurs. each one pays their share in proportion to the amount insured for. The company has been chartered thirteen years, and have had but one loss, that of barn, which was but little for each one to pay. If such a loss should occur now, the cost to each one would be very trifing, the company having become so strong, repre- senting in amount nearly s3O0 600. The amount to pay for losses is constantly de- creasing as the number and amount in- creases. The cost of insurance to each one, IS one dollar for the first policy, and one dollar on each one thousand dollars once in three years, and the probabilities of loss are very small as they take no risky property. no village property unless re- mote from other buildings, no mills, shops or stores, In two cases they have insured small unexposed churches-the Episcopal church in Marbledale and the Methodist church in Bethlehem-but no risks of over three thousand dollars in one or more buildings, the same can be taken on contents if that is not over two thirds their value, several risks can be put in one policy. provided buildings are one hundred feet from other buildings.
 There are other institutions similar to this springing up all over the country, just as fast as they become known to the pub- lie; but when they are first started, and the company is composed of only few individuals, loss then would fall very heavily on the insured, so that all can see that it is cheapest and safest to insure in an old and we'll established company. Still, it may be we'll to be philanthropic in building up the young and weak com panies.
 Here follow some of the Bylaws of the Washington Mutual Fire Insurance Company: . ai..+
 SEC. 1. This company will insure for the term of three years on farm buildings and contents.
 SEC. 2. Not more than two thirds of the estimated value of any building or build ings. shall be insured by this company. SEo. 3. This company will in no case take over q, 900 in any one risk on build ings.
 SEC. 4. The amount of premium notes required for insurance of buildings will be according to the following rates, viz. for houses standing detached from other buildings so az not to be exposed by them, 2 per cent. of the insured value. For barns and all dwelling houses and other farm buildings SO connected as to be exposed thereby, from 2a to 3a per cent. of the insured value, according to their risks, discretionary with the Asses sors. No other buildings will be insured except at rates expressly agreed upon by the Directors.
 SEC. 5. Hinsurance be wanting on more than one building in the same policy, tie amount in each must be named separate ly.
 SEC. 6. In all cases of application for in- surance in this company, the applicant shall state the amount of insurance Gf anO on the property.
 Any one wishing to be insured in this company, can drop line to the Secretary or either of the Assessors, and one of them will call and make assessment and take ap plication. Hon. Seth 8. Logan is Presi- dent, Geo. K. Logan is Secretary; and as am one of the Assessors will attend to the towns east of Washingtoa. Any one interested can preserve this for future ref erence when policies expire in other con- panies. L. F. Scorr.
 Bethlehem, Dec. 2d, 1874.