These classes, which came to be some seven in number, and so continued for a long time, divided properties on the basis of non-hazardous ; hazardous; extra hazardous and special. Between these, as between non-hazardous and hazardous, they had half classes so that out of this main group of four they developed the seven classes with varying rates of insurance. The principle of this group-rating system was very simple. In each case there was the rate for the building with about five cents added for each class from the lowest up to the highest. The contents of the non-hazardous class were written at the same rate of insurance as the building, but beginning with the next group, as the half hazardous, an additional charge for the contents was made over and above the proper charge for the building. This simple system lasted until the middle of the 19th century, with the single exception, that before that time some more minute analyses of certain kinds of properties, such as mills, had been made.
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