Insurance Concerns:

The Fire Department has become aware of two new developments regarding cabin/condo/home owners fire insurance coverage in the Bass Lake, Shaver and Huntington areas.  Some residents have experienced rate increases based on a reclassification of their ISO “protection class ratings” while others are being informed that their insurance carriers no longer will insure their cabins. 

Rate Increases and ISO ratings: 

The Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department does not have an ISO protection class rating.  These ratings, issued by the Insurance Service Organization, are based on many factors including water availability, pumping capacity, equipment age and condition, response times, training, dispatch methods, etc.  While our fire department scores extremely very well in almost every area of ISO's rating scale, one of the minimum requirements for a rating is that the protected structure be accessible by road at all times.  This is just not possible when Huntington Lake Road closes with the first major snowfall. 

Without year around access to most structures within our response area our department is automatically rated as a “10”, which is the lowest protection class. The Insurance Service Organization does however allow for a verification process to allow for appeals. Over the years almost all insurers have assigned cabin, condo, homeowners and businesses a protection class “8” when they see the list of our apparatus, our extraordinary response times, and available water supply.  Additionally, the fact that the cabins which are not accessible during the winter, and the forest that surrounds them, are covered with snow in the winter makes a major wildfire during the winter impossible.  During this period most cabin owners turn off propane and electricity when the cabin is unoccupied, further reducing fire risk. 

Your department has prepared a letter from the Chief explaining our special conditions as well as detailing our fire fighting capability and a spread sheet showing response information that you and your agent can use to request that your protection class be set at an “8” rather than a “10”.

Click here to get a PDF of the Chief's Letter.

Click here to access maps of Huntington Tracts and Neighborhoods

Click here for a PDF of the times and Distances to your residence (PDF file)

Note: The time and distance document includes two sets of numbers; one from station 62 to your neighborhood and a second set for the response time from station 262. Make sure you choose the station closest to your residence to get an accurate response time and distance.

Times and distances are measured from the fire house to the intersection of Huntington Lake Road and the cross street of your tract, unless otherwise noted.