The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-30

Declares Companies Have RccstablisIl-
ed Rating and Inspection Bureau.

""A"' ouhC 3D. II Will QOuDt-
less come as something of shock to
the people Of the State as it did to
me. that the insurance companies
which withdrew from the State last
year and which returned this year,
in association with very nearly all of
the companies which did business in
the State last YEA, have reestablished
the South Carolina Inspection and
Rating Bureau and propose materially
to increase fire insurance rates i'm
South Carolina on some classes at
least said Insurance Commissioner F.
II. McMaster today.
II am not now able to give full in
formation to the people of the State
Indeed. though I sent a circular letter
on April to all companies in the
State calling their attention to the
terms Of the act passed at the recent
session Of the legislature requiring
that all agreements in regard to the
making. fixing or collecting of any
rate for fire insurance upon property
within this State should be filed with
the insurance commission and before
taking effect should be subject to his
approval, with the exception of one
company which has filed in part such
an agreement, no such agreement has
been fled by any other company or
by any bureau making rates. though !
am informed that at least seventy
seven Of the eighty-five companies are
members Of the South Carolina Rating
and Inspection Bureau.
I'm pursuance of this agreement as
understand, on June 10 the following
notice was sent to insurance agents in
this State:
Columbia S. c., June 1s. 1917.
ITO Agents:
STAMPING OFFICE JURISDICTION.
1--WE take pleasure in advising that
the South Carolina Inspection and
Rating Bureau is now reestablished
and prepared to furnish agents in the
State Of South Carolina with all SER
vice furnished prior to March /, 1916.
and has established a stamping office
department for the purpose Of check
ing daily reports. endorsements. can
celled and spoiled policies. 1t is, there
fore. requested that agents send sucn
documents to r. II. Caldwell, manager
s. C. If agents are not
supplied with properly addressed en-.
velOpes for this purpose please advise
and we will, at once furnish same.
.ery truly yours.
"'R. II. Caldwell,
"'Manager.'
"On the same date the following cir
cular was sent out:
South Carolina Inspection and Rating
Bureau.
Columbia, s. c., ane 10. 1917.
ITO Agents:
SOUTH CAROLINA TARIFF.
''This Is to advise that the special
South Carolina Tariff, 1908 edition, Is
as Of this date and is
not to be used in quoting rates upon
risks not specifically rated. In future
all rates to be named in the State q:
No ho 1>oc
schedules published in "Rates, Rule
and Forms.
Very truly yours,
"R. II. Caldwell. Manager.
"As indicated in this last circular
the rates hereafter are to be based
upon schedules published in rates,
rules and forms. My advices are that
the present rates, rules and forms are
to he supplanted by others, which will
cause higher rates even than those
provided in the rates. rules and forms
heretofore In use, but on which South
Carolina risks have been rated.
1.-THE rates, rules and forms which
are to be enforced, as I am informed,
will require an increase I'm basal rates
(not including deficiency cbages) as
follows:
"Shingle roof dwellings, country
risks. increased from $1.2O to $3.50;
fourth class towns increased from 90
cents to $1.25; third class towns. so
cents to $1.O5; second class towns, co
cents TO IS cents; first class towns, co
rents 20 86 rents.
"On brick, metal roof mercantiles
fourth class towns from $3.50 to $1.75; +;
third class towns from 80 cents to 81;
second class towns from 70 cents to
rs cents; first class towns from As