Citizens Property Insurance Company
Carrier website links, underwriting access points, mapped product lines, and appetite notes in one place.
This appetite summary is only a guide. Confirm eligibility, submission requirements, restrictions, and binding authority directly with the carrier or underwriter before relying on it.
Carrier appetite summary
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) is Florida’s state-backed residual market for personal and commercial residential property; it is statutorily intended as an insurer of last resort and is available only when admitted private-market options are not reasonably available. PREFERRED / TARGET BUSINESS - Occupied, well-maintained 1–4 family dwellings, condos, and commercial residential (e.g., small apartment/condo associations) located in Florida where no private insurer will write coverage at or below the statutory eligibility threshold. Florida law generally requires that new applicants be ineligible for comparable coverage from an admitted carrier at a premium within a prescribed percentage of the Citizens quote (most recently 20%) before Citizens can be used. ([floir.com](https://floir.com/docs-sf/property-casualty-libraries/market-regulation/2021/citizens-property-insurance-corporation-1-11-2021.pdf?sfvrsn=aa59491c_2&utm_source=openai)) - Risks with acceptable condition of roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC as verified by required inspections; standard construction and occupancy with no substantial structural deficiencies or safety issues. - Residential property in areas eligible for coverage under the former Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association (wind-prone coastal areas of Florida), when the risk otherwise meets eligibility and underwriting standards. ([citizensfla.com](https://www.citizensfla.com/documents/20702/42664/CPIC%2BStatute/ecb2e82d-e9e0-426c-ba00-6c872f2d0a2b?utm_source=openai)) RESTRICTED / DECLINED RISKS (HIGH LEVEL) - Property that is eligible for coverage in the private market within the statutory price-comparison threshold (i.e., the applicant receives a qualifying offer of coverage from an authorized insurer). Such applicants are not eligible for Citizens at new business, and many renewal insureds must move to the private carrier if an acceptable offer is made via the clearinghouse/depopulation programs. ([fl.elaws.us](https://fl.elaws.us/law/627.3518?utm_source=openai)) - Dwellings or buildings deemed unsafe for occupancy or with substantial structural deficiencies; properties that fail to meet Citizens’ underwriting manuals, inspection standards, or minimum condition requirements. - Uninsurable risks as defined in the applicable Citizens underwriting manuals, including properties with noncompliant construction/occupancy, severe maintenance issues, or disqualifying loss history; agents can incur performance violations for submitting such risks. ([fl.naifa.org](https://fl.naifa.org/blog/citizens-important-recent-bulletins?utm_source=openai)) GEOGRAPHIC NOTES - Citizens only writes property located in the state of Florida; it is not available in other states and is distinct from similarly named residual-market entities (e.g., Louisiana Citizens). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_Property_Insurance_Corporation?utm_source=openai)) - Significant concentrations exist in coastal and high‑risk wind areas; however, Citizens’ mandate is statewide for eligible residential property where private capacity is unavailable. SUBMISSION & UNDERWRITING PROCESS – PERSONAL LINES (HOME) - Agents must establish eligibility before placing a policy with Citizens, including documenting that no private-market option is available under the statutory price threshold. This is done through the clearinghouse/eligibility process prior to new business binding. ([citizenstraining.citizensfla.com](https://citizenstraining.citizensfla.com/courses/core/CIS_Resources/Job_Aids/PolicyCenter/NewBusinessSubmission.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - New Business Submission Guides (personal lines) prescribe a standardized workflow in PolicyCenter, including: completion of all application fields, verification of occupancy and construction features, and attachment of required documents (photos, inspections, proof of prior coverage, etc.). ([citizenstraining.citizensfla.com](https://citizenstraining.citizensfla.com/courses/core/CIS_Resources/Job_Aids/PolicyCenter/NewBusinessSubmission.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Citizens frequently requires property inspections (including four‑point and roof inspections for older homes) to verify eligibility, condition, and applicable credits; applicants agree in the application to allow such inspections. ([securesupport.citizensfla.com](https://securesupport.citizensfla.com/app/answers/list/search/1/kw/underwriting%20manual/suggested/1?utm_source=openai)) - There is an active Underwriting Field Survey Program for personal lines; agents should expect post‑bind inspections and potential underwriting changes or cancellations when surveys reveal noncompliance. ([citizensfla.com](https://www.citizensfla.com/en/personal-lines?utm_source=openai)) SUBMISSION & UNDERWRITING PROCESS – COMMERCIAL LINES (COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) - Citizens’ Commercial Lines New Business Submission Guide provides step‑by‑step instructions in PolicyCenter including pre‑quote, application entry, underwriting review, and binding for commercial residential accounts (e.g., condo associations, apartments up to certain size/eligibility). ([citizenstraining.citizensfla.com](https://citizenstraining.citizensfla.com/courses/core/CIS_Resources/Job_Aids/PolicyCenter/CommercialLines/CLNewBusinessSubmissionGuide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Building and Business Personal Property coverage is available subject to Citizens’ commercial residential eligibility rules, occupancy limitations, and underwriting criteria (construction type, number of units, protection class, prior loss history, and condition). ([citizenstraining.citizensfla.com](https://citizenstraining.citizensfla.com/courses/core/CIS_Resources/Job_Aids/PolicyCenter/CommercialLines/CLNewBusinessSubmissionGuide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) BROKER / PRODUCER NOTES - Citizens is accessed through appointed independent agents; agents are responsible for confirming eligibility, using the clearinghouse, and avoiding submission of uninsurable or clearly ineligible risks. Submitting uninsurable risks or posting premium on unbound, unapproved risks can trigger performance violations under the Agent Performance Standards Program. ([fl.naifa.org](https://fl.naifa.org/blog/citizens-important-recent-bulletins?utm_source=openai)) - Agents must stay current on ATB (Agent Technical Bulletin) communications, job aids, and training materials posted on Citizens’ Personal Lines and Commercial Lines resource pages; these include frequent updates on underwriting field surveys, eligibility changes, and form/rule revisions. ([citizensfla.com](https://www.citizensfla.com/en/personal-lines?utm_source=openai)) - Because Citizens is subject to depopulation and clearinghouse programs, agents should prepare insureds for potential take‑out offers and movement back to the private market when eligible. OPERATIONAL TAKEAWAYS - Use Citizens only when the insured cannot obtain comparable private coverage within statutory price thresholds, and document that eligibility. - Carefully review and follow the applicable personal or commercial lines new‑business submission guide; incomplete or non‑compliant submissions may be delayed or declined and may count against agency performance. - Expect and plan for inspections and field surveys; write only properties that can pass Citizens’ condition and structural standards. - Monitor ongoing bulletins and underwriting updates on the Citizens personal and commercial lines pages for changes to eligibility (particularly roof, flood, condo, and inspection rules).