ISO Information

ISO is a leading source of information about risk. We supply data, analytics, and decision-support services for professionals in many fields, including insurance, finance, real estate, health services, government, and human resources. Our products and services help customers measure, manage, and reduce risk. ISO serves the insurance marketplace with:

• consulting services
• fraud-identification tools
• information about specific locations
• information for marketing, loss control, and premium audit
• policy language
• statistical, actuarial, underwriting, and claims data

ISO is an advisory organization, and insurers may use our information, modify it, or not use it, as they see fit.

Information About Individual Communities and Properties

ISO collects information useful in many aspects of insurance underwriting. That information includes evaluations of public fire protection, flood risk, and the adoption and enforcement of building codes in individual communities. Information on municipal services helps the communities with their efforts to manage and mitigate their risk.

We perform the evaluations as a service to the insurance industry and do not charge a fee to the communities.

Public Protection Classification

Through the Public Protection Classification (PPCTM) program, ISO evaluates municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. A community's investment in fire mitigation is a proven and reliable predictor of future fire losses. So insurance companies use PPC information to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance - generally offering lower premiums in communities with better protection. Many communities use the PPC as a benchmark for measuring the effectiveness of their fire-protection services. The PPC program is also a tool that helps communities plan for, budget, and justify improvements.

Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule

Through the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS®) program, ISO assesses the building codes in effect in individual communities and how those communities enforce their building codes. The assessments place special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. The concept is simple: municipalities with well-enforced, up-to-date codes should demonstrate better loss experience, and insurance rates can reflect that. The prospect of lessening catastrophe-related damage and ultimately lowering insurance costs provides an incentive for communities to enforce their building codes rigorously - especially as they relate to windstorm and earthquake damage.

ISO also evaluates sprinklered and nonsprinklered commercial buildings and residential properties and supplies important underwriting and rating information for insurers.