Citizens property insurance review is essential reading for any Florida homeowner struggling to find coverage in the private market. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is Florida’s state-created, not-for-profit insurer of last resort. The Florida Legislature established Citizens in August 2002. It was formed by merging two predecessor entities: the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association and the Florida Residential Property and Casualty Joint Underwriting Association.
- Citizens Property Insurance Overview and Financial Strength
- Citizens Property Insurance Review: Coverage Options
- Citizens Property Insurance Home Insurance Discounts
- Citizens Property Insurance Home Insurance Cost
- Citizens Property Insurance Claims Process and Customer Service
- Pros and Cons of Citizens Property Insurance Home Insurance
- Who Is Citizens Property Insurance Home Insurance Best For?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Citizens exists to provide property insurance to eligible homeowners who cannot obtain coverage elsewhere. At its peak in October 2023, Citizens held 1.42 million policies. However, aggressive depopulation efforts have reduced that number to approximately 395,000 policies as of early 2026. This citizens property insurance review examines whether this state-backed insurer deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Citizens Property Insurance Overview and Financial Strength
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation operates exclusively in Florida. It is headquartered in Tallahassee with additional operations in Jacksonville. As a government entity, Citizens is tax-exempt and not-for-profit. Homeowners can only obtain a Citizens policy through a licensed Florida insurance agent. You cannot purchase coverage directly from Citizens online.
Because Citizens is a state-backed entity, it does not carry a traditional AM Best financial strength rating. However, Fitch Ratings assigned Citizens an AA rating with a stable outlook in 2023. The corporation maintains a surplus of approximately $6.5 billion. Since 2015, Citizens has maintained sufficient claims-paying ability to handle a 1-in-100-year hurricane without levying assessments on Florida policyholders.
Customer satisfaction data paints a mixed picture. Citizens is not rated by J.D. Power because it operates only in Florida. The NAIC complaint index for Citizens has been reported at 4.28, which is above the national median of 1.00. The BBB lists Citizens with a B rating and approximately 62 customer reviews averaging 2 out of 5 stars. Citizens is not BBB accredited. On Clearsurance, the company scores 2.72 out of 5 based on 66 reviews.
| Rating Source | Score / Grade |
|---|---|
| AM Best | Not rated (state-backed entity); Fitch AA Stable |
| J.D. Power | Not rated (Florida-only insurer) |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 4.28 (above median of 1.00) |
| BBB | B rating; 2.0 / 5 stars (62 reviews) |
| Clearsurance | 2.72 / 5 (66 reviews) |
Citizens Property Insurance Review: Coverage Options
This citizens property insurance review found a solid range of policy types. Citizens offers HO-3 policies for owner-occupied single-family homes and duplexes. HO-6 policies cover condo unit owners. For older or unique homes, the HO-8 modified coverage policy is available. However, HO-8 policies are highly restrictive and cover only 11 named perils. They notably exclude water damage in many scenarios.
Citizens also offers dwelling fire policies for non-primary residences. The DP-1 provides basic named-perils coverage for tenant-occupied homes. The DP-3 offers broader protection for rental properties, seasonal homes, and secondary residences. In most cases, DP-3 policies include coverage for the dwelling, other structures, personal property, and loss of rent.
Wind-only policies are available in designated coastal areas. These policies cover wind and hail damage, including damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. As of January 2024, Citizens consolidated its three former accounts into a single Citizens Account. This simplifies administration for policyholders. For example, homeowners no longer need to navigate separate personal lines and coastal account structures.
Citizens Property Insurance Home Insurance Discounts
Citizens offers several discount opportunities. Wind mitigation is the most significant. A wind mitigation inspection can save homeowners 15% to 50% on their wind premium. Typically, this translates to $800 to $2,500 or more per year. The inspection costs $75 to $150 and remains valid for five years.
Homes built on or after January 1, 2002, may qualify for new roof credits. These Florida Building Code roof credits represent the largest wind mitigation discount available. Additional discounts apply for centrally monitored fire alarms, centrally monitored burglar alarms, and hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows.
| Discount Type | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Wind Mitigation (overall) | 15%–50% off wind premium |
| FBC Roof Credit (post-2002 roof) | Largest available wind credit |
| Opening Protection (shutters/impact windows) | Included in wind mitigation credit |
| Hip Roof Shape Credit | Part of wind mitigation inspection |
| Secondary Water Resistance | Part of wind mitigation inspection |
| Centrally Monitored Fire Alarm | Varies by policy |
| Centrally Monitored Burglar Alarm | Varies by policy |
All discounts require proper documentation before they are applied. The cost of inspection and certification falls on the homeowner. As a result, it pays to schedule a wind mitigation inspection shortly after purchasing your home.
Citizens Property Insurance Home Insurance Cost
Florida homeowners insurance is the most expensive in the nation. The average Florida premium runs approximately $5,376 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. That is well above the national average of roughly $2,181. Any citizens property insurance review must address this reality. Citizens’ rates are not dramatically cheaper than private market alternatives. By design, Citizens cannot significantly undercut private insurers.
However, there is good news for 2026. Citizens approved an average rate decrease of 8.7% for personal lines policies. Approximately 330,000 policyholders will see reduced premiums. Many will receive reductions of 10% or more, saving an average of $359 annually. This marks the first rate decrease for Citizens since 2015.
Several factors affect your Citizens premium. Location matters enormously in Florida. Coastal properties pay significantly more. Your home’s age, roof condition, and construction type all influence rates. Many homeowners who compare auto insurance rates at Car Cover Guide also discover that bundling home and auto insurance with a private carrier can sometimes beat Citizens’ standalone homeowners rate.
Citizens Property Insurance Claims Process and Customer Service
Filing a claim with Citizens is straightforward. You can report claims online through the myPolicy portal 24 hours a day. You can also call 866-411-2742 at any time. Citizens encourages policyholders to report damage before beginning any permanent repairs. However, you should take reasonable emergency steps to prevent further damage.
After filing, you receive an email with your claim number and adjuster contact information. The adjuster schedules an inspection and evaluates covered damages. Citizens issues a partial payment minus your deductible. A final payment follows after all repairs are documented. This citizens property insurance review notes that Citizens recommends contacting them directly before hiring a public adjuster or attorney.
Customer service is available weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. The myPolicy online portal lets you track claim status, view documents, and manage billing. Customer reviews are mixed on service quality. Common complaints include claim delays, low payouts, and difficulty reaching representatives. For example, ConsumerAffairs reviewers give Citizens just 1.7 out of 5 stars based on 91 reviews.
Pros and Cons of Citizens Property Insurance Home Insurance
Pros:
- State-backed with a $6.5 billion surplus and Fitch AA rating, providing strong financial security
- Guaranteed availability for Florida homeowners who cannot find private market coverage
- Wind mitigation discounts of 15%–50% can significantly reduce premiums
- First rate decrease since 2015 approved for 2026, averaging 8.7% for personal lines
- Multiple policy types available including HO-3, HO-6, DP-1, DP-3, and wind-only
Cons:
- Only available in Florida and only if you cannot obtain private coverage at comparable rates
- NAIC complaint index of 4.28 is well above the national median, indicating higher complaint volume
- All Florida policyholders can be assessed surcharges if Citizens exhausts its surplus after a catastrophe
- Must purchase through a licensed agent — no direct online purchasing option
- Customer reviews on BBB, Clearsurance, and ConsumerAffairs are consistently below average
Who Is Citizens Property Insurance Home Insurance Best For?
This citizens property insurance review identifies several groups who benefit most from Citizens coverage. Citizens is best for Florida homeowners who genuinely cannot obtain private market insurance. If private carriers have denied your application or quoted premiums more than 20% above Citizens’ rates, this is your safety net. Coastal property owners in high-risk hurricane zones often fall into this category.
Citizens is also a strong option for homeowners with older roofs or unique properties. Private insurers frequently reject homes with roofs older than 15 years. Citizens may still offer coverage in those situations. Typically, homeowners should invest in a wind mitigation inspection immediately. The potential 15%–50% premium reduction makes this a smart financial move.
However, this citizens property insurance review recommends shopping the private market first. Florida’s insurance landscape is improving. Seventeen new insurance companies have entered the market since 2022 legislative reforms. As a result, more competitive options may be available now than when you last checked.
Citizens’ depopulation program has already moved over 546,000 policies to private carriers. If you can find comparable private coverage, you also avoid the risk of statewide assessments after a major hurricane. Saving on insurance premiums frees up money for other financial goals. You can find bank sign-up bonuses at Bonus Bank Daily to put those savings to work immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Citizens Property Insurance going away in Florida?
No. Citizens is not going away. However, the state actively encourages homeowners to move to private carriers through its depopulation program. As a result, the policy count dropped from 1.42 million in 2023 to roughly 395,000 in early 2026. Citizens will continue operating as Florida’s insurer of last resort.
Can anyone in Florida get Citizens Property Insurance?
Not automatically. You must demonstrate that private coverage is unavailable or costs more than 20% above Citizens’ comparable premium. In most cases, your insurance agent will verify eligibility by documenting private market quotes. Citizens is designed as a last resort, not a first choice.
What happens if Citizens runs out of money after a hurricane?
If a catastrophic event exhausts Citizens’ $6.5 billion surplus, the corporation can levy surcharges. Citizens policyholders may be assessed up to 15%. Additionally, nearly all Florida insurance policyholders statewide can be assessed up to 2%, followed by emergency assessments of up to 10% per year. This citizens property insurance review considers this assessment risk a key factor in your decision.
Are Citizens Property Insurance rates going down in 2026?
Yes. Citizens approved an average 8.7% rate decrease for personal lines in 2026. Approximately 330,000 policyholders will benefit. For example, some customers will see reductions of 10% or more. This is the first rate cut Citizens has implemented since 2015. Typically, savings average around $359 per year for affected policyholders.
How do I file a claim with Citizens Property Insurance?
You can file a claim online through the myPolicy portal or by calling 866-411-2742. Both options are available 24 hours a day. However, Citizens recommends reporting damage before starting any permanent repairs. This citizens property insurance review suggests documenting all damage with photos immediately after an event.
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Official Sources & Resources
For verified information on home insurance ratings and regulations:
- AM Best (Financial Strength Ratings): ambest.com
- NAIC (Complaint Ratios): naic.org
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
- FEMA (Flood Insurance): fema.gov
- J.D. Power (Customer Satisfaction): jdpower.com
Content last reviewed April 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.