Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Review 2021

3.0

Review written by:

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- Policy holder
This is the worst customer service I've experienced in a long time. First, I can barely understand the person on the phone. Second, I called the customer service line first to discuss my policy because they noted it as lapsed. It is not lapsed. Like literally every bank, my mortgage company sent the full payment from an escrow. There's nothing special about this arrangement and most insurance companies would understandably do an extension. Citizens won't. The person in claims told me I needed to speak with customer service about an extension. The customer service person says I need to talk to claims about getting an extension. Which is it? I am canceling this policy as quickly as possible and switching companies. This is ridiculous and it's a miracle this place has anyone insured.
Max G.
- Policy holder
They are very un-organized and demand not to be rushed. I found another insurance company that was more expensive but could do what I needed. I should have went with the other insurance company to begin with. I was made to jump through all sorts of expensive & time consuming hoops for a big fat nothing. A waste of time & money!
Richie H.
- Policy holder

Carrier Overview

Citizens Property Insurance is a government entity created for homeowners who cannot obtain insurance in the private market. The company is funded by policyholder premiums. If surplus is depleted as a result of a devastation, Florida law requires Citizens to levy assessments on most Florida property-casualty insurance policyholders to fill the gap.

Customer Service Number: 888-685-1555

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TYPES OF PRODUCTS OFFERED:

  • Dwelling
  • Other structures 
  • Personal property
  • Loss of use  
  • Personal liability
  • Medical payments to others

How to Buy a Policy

Only appointed Citizens agents can help you purchase a Citizens policy, and only if your property meets one of the following eligibility criteria:

  • Coverage is not available from a Florida-authorized insurance company
  • Premiums for coverage from Florida-authorized insurance companies are more than 15 percent higher than the premiums for comparable coverage from Citizens

You may search for a Citizens agent by using the Agent Look-Up tool on the website.

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Discounts offered

According to its website, Citizens offers several discounts to policyholders whose homes and businesses have features installed to help protect them from severe storms or other perils. In order to determine your eligibility for these discounts, you must first submit an inspection form completed by a qualified inspector.

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TYPES OF DISCOUNTS

  • Wind mitigation
  • Florida building code compliance
  • Roof construction
  • Centrally monitored fire alarms
  • Centrally monitored burglar alarms

How to make payments

Citizens accepts payments online, over the phone or by mail using your US checking or savings account. The company does not accept debit card, credit card or electronic check payments at this time.

You may also authorize your agent to make a payment by completing the Single E-payment Authorization form and sending it to your agent. To pay over the phone, call 888-685-1555. This option is available for personal lines policies and is not available for new policies that have not yet been issued.

Before you call, have handy the following information:

  • Valid 8-digit policy number, excluding letters and including zeroes
  • Property address zip code
  • Routing number
  • US checking or savings account number

In order to make a payment by mail, you will need personal or cashier’s checks. You will need to include your payment stub, if possible, and write your policy number in the memo section of your check. Citizens does not hold post-dated checks. There will also be a $15 insufficient funds fee for each check not honored by the bank.

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How to File a Claim

Citizens urges you to report your claim as soon as possible by calling 866-411-2742.

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INFORMATION YOU NEED ON HAND:

  • Policy number
  • Contact information, including any temporary addresses or phone numbers
  • Damage description
  • Mortgage company information, if applicable

Reinsurance program

According to news reports, Citizens is planning for a harder reinsurance program for 2018 that will see it increase its risk transfer spend by $7.3 million and aiming to increase the amount of coverage it buys to $1.45 billion.

In its 2018 budget, the insurer said there is a provision for $100 million of private-risk transfer within the Coastal Account. The insurer said: “Citizens will again seek to protect surplus through prudent and measured risk transfer efforts in 2018.”

Career Opportunities

Citizens says it needs dedicated people who want to help Floridians protect their most important assets – their homes and businesses. It is looking for people who want a job that offers the personal satisfaction of public service and the ability to help people in a real and concrete way. Citizens says it has 1,200 employees – located in offices in Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Tampa and in field locations throughout Florida – who are passionate about the work they do. Here are the latest job opportunities at Citizens.

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How to Become an Agent 

In order to apply for a Citizens appointment, agents must fill out an online application. The application must be completed by an agency principal.

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