The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-11-18
To All Whom it May Concern.
Sumter, S. G. Nov. le, 1870

AA0IS dIO SISdG mduy pSOplo
apparently, interested in the recent re-
duction of insurance rates on some of
the dwellings in Sumter, as is evinced
by the number of queries received by
note and through telephone; among
them notably Managers G. H. Hurst,
of the Citizens Insurance Agency, and
J. M. Lawrence of the Sumter Agency.
I take this method Of replying in order
to facilitate matters. To begin with,
almost all the frame shingle roof
dwellings in Sumter have been written
at one per cent, Zone dollar for every
hundred. Now every underwater who
knows his business, knows that one
per cent, would not be the tariff rate
On one Of the above mentioned dwell
ings in second class town, out of
very large number; at present [ can
not call to mind a single case where
one per cent is the current rate. The
bases rate on these dwellings is seventy
five cents; and where there are ex-
posures of the same class of buildings
there is charge of twenty cents for
each such exposure, making the rate
on unexposed dwellings seventy five
cents; on dwellings having one ex-
posure there is a charge of twenty
cents, which gives the rate Of 95 cents
for dwellings having one exposure; and
charge of forty cents for dwellings
having two exposures, giving rate of
81. Is for the last named class Dwell
ings exposed by more hazardous risks
than dwellings are rated differently still:
there are only few of this class in
Sumter not over three or four all told.
AS it is my practice in business to
look after the interest of my assured
as well as that Of my companies to
the best of my ability, I have written
the dwelling risks in my care at the
above mentioned rates. When the fact
was brought to the attention of the
Sumter Insurance Agency they wrote
to my companies complaining of me
for cutting the rates, whereupon the
companies sent their representatives
to this city, to investigate the matter,
my books were examined and not a
risk was cancelled by the companies
on account of the rate, as all we're
found in accordance with my book of
instructions. Any company doing
business in Sumter will write dwell
ings at the above named rates.
It is the duty of every insurance
agent to see that his company gets an
adequate rate. It is also the duty of
every insurance agent to see that his
assured get the correct rate. ALI
assureds are on the same footing, all
have intrusted their interests to their
agent, (when we write policy we
become the agent Of the assured as
well as the agent of tle company we
write for) be they large or small all
are due the same consideration.
There is no justice in charging some
above the tariff Shat others may be
allowed an undexharge. Since have
been in the business, I know of cne
case where the rich landlord paid not
Qnite one half tie rate that was being
charged his poor land think [ might
emphasize that word poor, without
exaggeration) tenant and these two pol
ecies we're running side by side, written
an the same agency: living, disgrace
TO honest underwriting.
My companies are not cut-raee COM
panies, [ am glad to say, and when
you get one of my policies you will get
FlOuSS1 IuSuIclCo3 lOI WulCil you WILL
have to pay the tariff rate; and in
case of loss you are guaranteed a
good honest settlement. l do not re-
present twenty seven companies aggre-
eating $500, 600, 600 in assets, but the
assets of my companies are ample to
protect all liabilities. I do not adver-
tise Insurance that Insures, as that
goes without saying in the case of
companies whose regulations are made
fer fair and square dealing with the
assured, with their agents and with
other compnies in competition with
them. ] hope have made this matter
clear to all inauirers but in case I
have not, I am ready at all times, to
answer any and all questions On the
subject Of insurance to the very best
of my ability, as it is my business and
pleasure to serve the public along that
line.
ANDRENA MOSES,
Insurance Agent.
The stores and business houses will