Citizens offers new 'wind-only' policy

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation will begin offering a single policy to its wind-only customers on Aug. 1, a move officials say will simplify things for consumers.

Policyholders who combine their plans may see annual premium savings of up to 10 percent, according to company representatives. The new program will be available for policyholders with effective dates on or after Aug.1.

Citizens policyholders who currently have a wind-only policy and an ex-wind policy with Citizens will be eligible for the new program. Citizens currently has about 118,000 customers with two Citizens policies.

This program, however, is not just for policyholders who have two policies with the corporation. Any Citizens wind-only policyholder who has their other perils policy with another insurer is eligible for this new multi-peril coverage, Wallace said.

The new plan was developed following approval of the business plan earlier this year by the Legislative Budget Commission and the Financial Service Commission. The business plan was developed based upon changes made to Citizens enabling statute during the January special session.

Wallace urged all of Citizens personal residential wind-only customers to contact their agents and ask about the new multi-peril program before renewing their current policies. Consumers who are looking for a Citizens agent in their area should go to www.citizensfla.com and use the new agent locator function.