Technology and the use of GPS, or Global Positioning System, could make your home insurance rates go up. It has for some Marshall County residents as the Insurance Service Organization began using GPS to better track where people live. Which fire district you live determines how much your home insurance will be.

If you live in Marshall County and your insurance premium goes up, it's not because your fire district lines have changed. "Its been the same as it has for at least the past ten years if not farther back than that," said Arab Fire Chief Ricky Phillips.

Your insurance may be going up because of GPS confirmation of where you live.  Chief Phillips says years ago you told your insurance agent which district you lived. "Before they've been able to say we live closer to Arab and get credit for their insurance rating," said Chief Phillips.

But Phillips says the Insurance Service Organization is updating information on where people really live versus where they say they live. "Have updated their databases and they have verified information with GPS," said Chief Phillips.
 
Phillips says ISO recently made a visit to the Sand Mountain area. "Marshall County's data is up to date because ISO was here in the summer and we spent several weeks with him," said Chief Phillips.

That new information is being supplied to insurance companies and Chief Phillips says it's reflecting on some residents insurance premiums when they come due. "They're checking closer and verifying that. They are just not taking word of mouth anymore," said Chief Phillips.

Chief Phillips says Jackson County's information has also been updated. The chief says if you have any questions about which fire district you are in you should contact your insurance agent.