Allan Dover

Three Lauderdale County Volunteer Fire Service department audits earned higher class ratings, enabling some homeowners to save on insurance.

Following the bi-annual audit from the Mississippi State Rating Bureau, residents living within five miles of Clarkdale Fire and Rescue, Long Creek Fire and Rescue or Southeast Fire and Rescue might be able to save on their home insurance.

“The bureau makes sure that – as a department – there are enough personnel, there’s enough equipment and access to enough water… and they’re looking for places to make recommendations,” said Lauderdale County Fire Coordinator Allan Dover. “Based on the criteria of the bureau, three departments have moved to class seven.”

For years, Dover said, fire services in Lauderdale County had been at class eight – considered to be the highest class a volunteer department could reach. 

“It’s almost unknown for a department to go from class eight to class seven without hiring paid personnel,” Dover said. 

That changed recently, however, as the state dropped certain criteria that made it impossible for volunteer fire departments to receive the higher class ratings. Now, departments across the state can receive higher ratings.

Residents living within five miles of a class eight station are eligible for savings of up to 41 percent. With the new class ranking, residents near the Clarkdale, Long Creek or Southeast stations could now save up to 45 percent.

“Outside of that (area) you’re receiving the same protection but not the same credit (from insurance),” Dover said. “Anyone living within five miles of those stations should contact their insurers, advise them on the class drop to a seven and they should be able to save some money.

“We do expect more departments to move up a class as the audits continue to happen across the state.”