What is the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule?
The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) assesses the building codes in a particular community, as well as the ways in which a community enforces those building codes.
In particular, the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule stresses building code requirements that are designed to mitigate losses from natural disasters such as hurricanes, windstorms and floods. In each community, the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule develops a classification for insurance rating and underwriting purposes.
The purpose of the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule is to lessen the damage caused by natural disasters and to lower insurance costs as an incentive for communities to enforce building codes.
The BCEGS has been proven to:
- improve building codes and code enforcement;
- promote the construction of safer buildings; and
- reduce the amount of damages that are incurred by natural disasters.
In effect, the BCEGS program assigns every municipality a BCEGS grade of 1 to 10. On this scale, 1 represents the highest grade of building code enforcement, while 10 represents the lowest. According to these ratings, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) gives advisory rating credits that apply to these grades. The ISO provides insurers with the BCEGS classifications and other advisory information.
If you have questions about how BCEGS classifications affect your property insurance policy and your ability to file an insurance claim, you can consult with a Florida insurance attorney. In an insurance claim, a Florida insurance attorney can investigate your case, estimate the value of your damages and do their best to help you get the money you deserve.
Contacting a Florida Insurance Attorney
The Florida insurance attorney team at Falk & Falk Law Firm knows how important it is to you and your family to get the settlement you need to move on with your lives. Our Florida insurance attorney team has experience in helping victims of natural disasters—and other homeowners’ nightmares—recover from their loss. An experienced attorney can help you to fight for the compensation you need and navigate the tricky world of homeowners and hurricane insurance. Contact us today – (305) 742-0878.