State Farm Partners with HFSC’s Steering Committee to Increase Home Safety

The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) announced that State Farm Insurance is the first representative of the insurance industry to join HFSC’s Steering Committee.

“From the Coalition’s earliest days our strategic planning process identified the home insurance industry as an important partner for HFSC’s work,” explained Coalition Chair Gary Keith. “By stepping forward in strong and visible support of improving residential fire safety, State Farm has made a pioneering move that will help HFSC achieve our public safety mission.”

More than 4,000 people reportedly die from fire in the U.S. on average each year. Eight out of 10 fire deaths occur in residential properties. Although residences have by far the highest fire risk, sprinkler installations in homes reportedly lag far behind other occupancies, such as hotels, hospitals and high-rise offices. HFSC’s mission is to increase awareness of the availability and the life-saving value of fire sprinkler systems in new homes.

Key to increasing the availability of sprinklered homes are powerful financial incentives, such as discounts on homeowner’s insurance policies. State Farm offers its customers with sprinklered homes in the U.S. and Canada a discount off the premium that ranges from 5-10%.

“This is a valuable partnership to help save lives and protect property. It just fits with our Good Neighbor beliefs,” said Stephanie Colegrove, State Farm’s Property & Casualty, vice president – Operations. “It is appropriate for State Farm, the largest home insurer in the United States, to take a leadership role in homeowner safety and property protection.” The company insures one out of five homes in the U.S.

To learn more about home fire sprinkler systems, visit HFSC’s Web site: http://www.homefiresprinkler.org .