How to find your protection class
Protection classes are created for insurance industry professionals, so the ISO doesn’t make PPC information available to policyholders or the general public. However, you still have ways to find your home’s protection class.
Protection class code lookup by address
Homeowners can do a protection class code lookup by address. Though there’s no single database for this information, you can search your state, town, or ZIP code and use the phrase “protection class code lookup by address” to get started.
Some cities even have their protection class codes listed somewhere on their official websites, including the year ISO gave the classification. For example, the PPC for La Vergne, Tennessee, is Class 3, and it was issued in 2016.[4]
Your state’s department of insurance website has information about protection classes, too. Contact the department by phone or visit the website to find your community’s classification. The Texas Department of Insurance, for example, has a breakdown of the class ratings by area. The protection classes in large cities in Texas range from 1 to 2, while small towns have ratings from 4 to 7.
You can also get information on your protection class by contacting your insurance company or agent, local fire chiefs, or a community official.
Finding home insurance for protection class 10
PPC ratings range from 1 to 10. If your home is located in a Class 10 area, it means your community doesn’t meet the ISO fire suppression standards. Some insurance companies won’t allow you to purchase home insurance for Class 10 homes.
If you have a Class 10 home and need insurance, here are some steps you can take:
Shop around for insurance companies by gathering quotes online. This is the easiest way to narrow down the best coverage options for your needs since you can submit your address and find insurers that will cover a Class 10 home.
Reach out to your local fire station or community officials to encourage them to make fire suppression improvements.
Just because your home has a Class 10 code doesn’t mean it’s uninsurable. Insurance companies weigh factors differently from one another when determining policy premiums, and not all insurers use ISO. Some companies may prefer to calculate your insurance premiums based on your home’s distance from a fire station and the number of losses in your ZIP code.
Read More: Homeowners Insurance for Fire-Prone Areas