The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-07-27
BUILDING TO SAVE.

As+ShASstA SSS bSShNOAAO "
Prospective Builders for Lower
Insurance Rates.
Booms may come and booms may
go, but the class of buildings being put
up and planned for in johnson City
during the present season indicates a
condition of substantial prosperity and
healthy growth which means much
for the future of our city.
The new buildings are of good, sub.
stantial character, pleasing to look
upon, and if the proper care has been
given to a few important principles,
should last for a great many years.
AT this time there is a great deal of
attention devoted to the relationship
between construction and fire insur-
ance rates. Gradually the people are
coming to the realization that it is the
way their houses and mercantile build
ing have been constructed that makes
the great difference between the annual
fire loss in this country (which is more
than $500 per minute) and the loss in
Europe.
| The fire underwriters and the great
insurance companies have done good
work in trying to better these condi-
tions by giving to the public the results
of their years of experience in some
simple rules and requirements for con-
struction.
Though most people now carry in
surance on their places Of business and
their stocks of merchandise or what.
ever they may be dealing in, few ever
stop to think, when they begin the
construction of their buildings, whether
they are building them according to
the standards set by all fire insurance
companies. It would be quite saving,
and sometimes great saving, in pre-
miums if the buildings were construct
ed according to the standards, and not
often is the expense such great deal
more. For instance, the standard brick
wall for two story building is sew
enteen-inch wall for the first story, and
thirteen-inch wall for the second. If
the wall of the first story is only thir-
teen inches, there must be an addition
al charge in the premium. Again, the
stove f1ue should be constructed of
brick laid fiat, and not brick set on
edge, of terra Gotta, or of metal. The
increase in premium for one year on a
valuable dwelling on account of de-
fective fue would probably exceed the
amount necessary to construct STAN
dard fiue. We can not mention the
many other points as to what stan
dard construction building is, but these
can be had of your insurance agent;
and when you contemplate building
dwelling or business house, it might
be well 10 consult with him before you
close with your contractor.
A few other things that policy hold
ers should be certain about may be of
interest.
If you carry more than one policy
ON the same property, it is important
that the written portion, such as the
description of the property, shall read
alike. And it is very important that,
in each policy, it shall be stated what
amount of other insurance is carried on
the same property. Sometimes there
may be some trouble in the adjustment
of loss under policy that is valid in
every other respect than this.
If there is any incumbrance on the
property that you are having insured,
that is, if your ownership is not sole
and unconditional, be sure that the
agent understands exactly what the
interest Of every party is, and that he
writes this interest on the face of the
insurance contract.
If you are having additions made to
a building, or extraordinary repairs
the only safe thing to do is to secure
from your agent an endorsement stat
/
If the property is to remain vacant
for any length of time, il is wise pre-
caution TO secure vacancy permit !
Your agent may notice the vacancy
and supply you without being request
ed; but it is the duty of the insured,
under the policy, to notify the agent, |
and secure the permit.
"a stitch in time saves ninen is an !
old adage applicable to fire insurance i
A little more care and cost in construc-
tion of flues will save many a dwelling
from destruction by fire. Our people
often complain Of fire insurance rates,
paying little heed to the hazard of the |
business and the enormous expense in
Cured in operating company. Let
us think of these things and lower the
rates by lessening the hazard. /
The Hartford Fire Insurance CO., of
Hartford, Conn.,, has taken so much
interest in the problems that it has !
been studying that 1t has published
book called "Fire Prevention and Fire
Insurance." The company will send
this book free to all who ask for it,
either from the home Office, or of b. 4. !
who is local agent. The book
it full of hints on construction, and
has received great attention from
builders and those interested in proper