ML Fire Chief says city insurance rating has improved

MOSES LAKE — Renters and homeowners in Moses Lake are likely going to see their insurance rates go down in 2023 following an improvement in the city’s community rating, according to Moses Lake Fire Chief Brett Bastian.

“They looked at everything, and we significantly improved from the last time,” Bastian told council members at a regular meeting on Tuesday. “We moved to a four from a five, mostly due to new equipment.”

By “they,” Bastian was referring to the Seattle-based Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau, a private, nonprofit company that helps both insurance companies and policy holders evaluate risk. The company not only reviewed the city’s fire department and its training and equipment, but also examined the city’s water supply, the county’s 911 service and the city’s building code in order to reach its final community score.

“We do a complete evaluation of a community, and the fire department plays a role, but the city water system, fire hydrants, 911 service, fire codes and building code are all evaluated,” said Robert Ferrell, WSRP vice president of public protection.

Ferrell said Moses Lake’s fire department, building code and water system and the county’s 911 response all improved from the previous evaluation.

In its 2022 budget, the city is set to spend roughly $4.9 million on fire protection, the third-largest item in the city’s $30.9 million budget behind police ($9.8 million) and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department ($7.3 million).

The community rating, which is based on a 1-10 score, with one being the best and 10 being no coverage at all, goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and will affect renter, homeowner and business fire insurance rates written after that date.

“Going to a four will help the rates,” said Chris Arnberg, an agent with American Family Insurance in Moses Lake. “It’s good to see them expand their equipment to deal with the emergencies that come up.”

Arnberg said the improvement in the community rating will provide a little relief to homeowners who have seen their insurance go up in response to the rapid rise in home values in the last few years.

“It’s definitely a positive for a growing community,” he said.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com.

CORRECTION: The original story misquoted Bastian about the direction of the change in the community rating and misstated the City of Moses Lake's 2022 budget, and has been corrected above.