Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is a state-created, not-for-profit insurer of last resort. It exists to write policies that private carriers won't — but by Florida law, it's supposed to be a backstop, not a first choice.
Who qualifies for Citizens
You can only place a policy with Citizens if:
1. No admitted private carrier will offer you coverage, or 2. Every private offer is more than 20% higher than Citizens' comparable premium.
Your agent has to document one of those two conditions before Citizens can bind.
Depopulation and takeout offers
Every quarter, Citizens sends "takeout offers" to policyholders. A private carrier agrees to write your policy at a rate no more than 20% above Citizens. If you don't respond, in most cases the policy is moved automatically.
You keep the right to decline the takeout and stay with Citizens only if the private offer is more than 20% higher. If it's within 20%, you're moved.
Why the 20% rule matters
A lot of Florida homeowners think they can stay on Citizens forever because they got in years ago. That's no longer true. The 2023 reforms mean Citizens actively sheds policies whenever the private market can absorb them.
What to do at renewal
- Get a full market quote before your renewal date. If a private carrier comes in within 20% of Citizens, you'll likely be moved anyway — better to control the move.
- Bundle wind and flood. Citizens sells wind-only in some regions; make sure you know what's on your policy.
- Consider hazard-only carriers. Florida Family and a few others write hazard (fire, theft, liability) without wind — pair with a wind-only Citizens policy for potential savings.
Drop your address into 4quote.ai to see where you actually stand against the private market this renewal.