Purpose & Duties

Insurance Services Office (ISO) is an independent company that serves insurance companies, communities, fire departments, insurance regulators, and others by providing information about risk.

ISO’s expert staff collects information about municipal fire suppression efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of these communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a Public Protection Classification, a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents an exemplary fire suppression program and Class 10 indicates that an area’s fire suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria.

Why it is Important

Insurance companies need reliable, up-to-date information about municipality's fire protection services to help establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties. ISO provides insurance companies this information with its Public Protection Classifications.

ISO Public Protection Information

ISO is the principle provider of insurance underwriting, rating, and statistical information to the property and casualty insurance industry in the United States. One of the key information elements that insurer's use in the underwriting and rating process for property insurance policies is ISO's Public Protection Information, which quantifies a community's fire suppression resources.

Information regarding the Fire Department, water supply, fire alarm system, and boundaries are critical to insurers providing insurance coverage to the citizens of your community.

Morris Township Rating

The Morris Township Fire Department has an ISO Class 4 rating. It is important that your Insurance Home Owners Policy states that you are protected by the Morris Township Fire Department to take advantage of the more favorable rates provided by a Class 4 protected Fire Department.

You may have a mailing address of Morris Plains, Morristown, or Convent Station but you are a resident of Morris Township. It is important for your insurance company to have this information.