Improved fire rating could mean lower insurance rates for Wheeling residents

Wheeling has improved its fire safety rating, which means homeowners can expect lower property insurance rates, officials say.

The village's fire department improved the public property classification rating to 2 from 3. The rating issued by the Insurance Services Office helps determine insurance premiums. The new rating is effective Nov. 1.

"This lower rating validates the hard work and expertise of the village's fire department and public works utility division," Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac said in a news release.

The ratings range from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. Wheeling's new rating put the village in the top 3.5 percent of fire departments nationwide, officials said.

Each insurance company establishes its own rate structure independently of the rating. The village urged homeowners and businesses to contact property insurance providers to determine whether additional savings will be available once the new rating takes effect.