Have you ever heard of Norwich’s Conflagration District? You most certainly have according to this article from the July 7, 1906 Norwich Bulletin. Do you think there is a parallel between Norwich bragging about the wealth of its residents and success of its businesses and the insurance rates rising?
Sections of City where the Advance in Rates will take effect- Exceptions Include Private Dwellings.
Norwich fire insurance agents have received from the New England Insurance Exchange blue print maps showing the so-called “conflagration area” in this city as outlined by the insurance experts of the exchange, and where an advance of rates is ordered beginning with June 30, 1906.
For all policies written to take effect on or after June 30, 1906 covering in this area an advance of twenty cents is ordered to be added to the present rate (either flat, 80 per cent or minimum) on both buildings and contents, with some exceptions. A score or more other cities throughout the state have been mapped in a similar manner and the advance ordered.
Beginning on Young’s block on Franklin Square, the area takes in the territory included between the east side of Franklin street, the south side of Oak, and the west side of Cliff. Along Main and North Main street the district runs along the south side as far up as Roath street, bounding southerly by the Shetucket river, but the triangle between Cliff, Main and Park streets, where the new post office is, is not included. Going up Franklin street everything on the west side is included up to Chestnut avenue, and all the buildings on the east side of Chestnut street down to Broadway, including also the rectangle bounded by Willow, Broadway and Chestnut. In the center of the city all buildings on the south of that to the river, comprising also the block bounded by Bath, Broadway, Franklin and Main with all to the South.
The boundary line that runs over to the west side, including all of Central Wharf, down Thames street to the end of the McCrum Howell plant and takes in the section bounded by Thames. High and West Main streets. On the south side of West Main the area comprised between Spring, Mechanic and West Main is the western limit. North of West main street the line runs along the wet branch of the Yantic to a point opposite the juncture of Ann and Forest street to West Main.
The advance does not apply to private dwellings and private stables and their contents not specifically rated, but written under minimum rates, even if within the territory described. This means that ordinary dwellings with no business occupancy or hazard are not affected by this advance. Other exceptions made, such as risks rated by the factory improvement committee, the railway and lighting or electrical hazard committee and fireproof buildings, do not affect the local situation, although the Industrial buildings and the American Woodworking Machinery company escape the raise under the first of these provisions.
Norwich insurers, already impatient over what they have considered the high rates prevailing in this city, will view with little complacency a further addition to the charges, and the path of the agent who has aspirations falling due upon which he must charge the additional rate will need to be smoothed with many explanations.
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