The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-01-23
FIRE INSURANCE RATES.

There has been from time TO time, as
there is now, an earnest effort in this
city to obtain reductions Of fire in
surance rates. We have spoken as occa-
sion has arisen in favor of such re.
duction. and have brought such in
fluence as was possible to bring to bear
in the direction OF reduction. There
has been some success attending these
efforts, but not the thorough success
which is to be desired. For. there are
many problems TO consider.
One Of the Problems involved is the
| supply and distribution OF water This
is something that is being improved
! as the years go, and it is to be hoped
that the movement began in conse-
| quence Of the sudden and temporary
freezing up of the streams early in the
| present month may result in the con-
struction of reservoirs that will give the
city such thorough protection in this
line as will leave nothing further TO
be desired.
Other things that would make for the
reduction Of insurance rates were
brought forth in the talk of Mr..
Lawry, Secretary of the Board Of Fire
Underwriters, to the credit men on
Tuesday. Mr.. Lawry confined himself
almost altogether to the question Of con-
struction. He admitted that the in
surance rates here are too high, but,
as he said, "there's reason The
particular phase Of that reason he dwelt
upon was the faulty construction OF
buildings here from the standpoint Of
the fire insurance standard. He ex-
planned that the underwriters define a
standard city and standard buildings,
and then provide certain fixed charges
or discounts for deviation from that
standard in the various features that
apply, such as water supply, distribu-
tion, pressure, hydrants, hose. fire de-
partments and apparatus, general con-
struction, wind climate. topography,
width Of streets. and so on From all
of which the insurance men are able to
establish the relative hazard of risks
hNiC WIN Pui GU VIII lions III oLltI NltIcs
and compared with variation from the
standard as found.
Mr.. Lawry proceeded to exemphfy his
method Of computing the rates in each
individual case. and the cost OF having
an open elevator, unprotected windows
improperly constructed skylights, defec.
tive lighting or heating apparatus. weak
construction, untidiness, accumulation
of rubbish; all these being duly set
forth, together with specific instructions
as to how Objectionable features may be
corrected and the insured secure de-
crease in insurance rates.
There is no question but that Mr.
Lawry's address was practical illumi-
nant upon many features of the
methods Of computing insurance rates.
The lesson Of it is that one who would
construct building should first 90 to
the insurance Offices aud ascertain Just
the ratio of the different elements enter
ing into the construction, and the COM
putation Of rates, so as to build with
a view of getting the best possible rate
Cd his insurance policy for tho struc-
ture. Upon doing this, the next PROPOSE
tion is the water question, the fire de- |
partment and so on. AS to this latter,
the general public must cooperate. And
with the thorough precaution thus taken |
by the one who would build, Joined with |
a community sentiment that the best !
must be provided in water supply for |
all emergencies, in fire apparatus and |
and in the department itself, |
Salt Lake City would soon be able to |
obtain an insurance rate which would in
the aggregate of reduction from present
rates, well reward the individual who |
insures and the community at large for
ihe outlay incurred and the diligence !
exercised.
Thus, as Mr.. Lawrv explains; the mat |
ter rests with ourselves; and the ques-
iion is, to what extent we will rice
the occasion and afford the fire protec.
tiou the cost Of which will at the same
time be TO us profitable investment,