Around the turn of the century, some municipalities had for-profit Fire Departments. These firefighters would only fight fires for those who could and would pay for the job. One way to pay for the job was to have fire insurance.
For proof, the insurance companies had cast iron plaques made, and they'd install a plaque on the front of the house or business to show that the building owner had fire insurance that would pay the department for their efforts. Often, so the stories go, other companies would show up to the fire, but refuse to fight it if it wasn't their domain - or else they would, for a fee to be paid BEFORE they'd start fighting. The cast iron plaques are "collectible" today.
So, I guess this is just the modern extension of an old practice.
For proof, the insurance companies had cast iron plaques made, and they'd install a plaque on the front of the house or business to show that the building owner had fire insurance that would pay the department for their efforts. Often, so the stories go, other companies would show up to the fire, but refuse to fight it if it wasn't their domain - or else they would, for a fee to be paid BEFORE they'd start fighting. The cast iron plaques are "collectible" today.
So, I guess this is just the modern extension of an old practice.