If a company selects your policy, they will mail you a letter to inform you that they would like to remove your policy from Citizens and assume coverage of your property. Congratulations! This offer means you no longer are limited to receiving coverage from a government-created insurance company.
No action is needed to accept a depopulation offer. You can decline the offer through an opt-out process.
An opt-out form will be included with your depopulation offer. If you choose to remain with Citizens, you must return your opt-out form to the takeout company within 30 days.
Commercial Nonresidential policies cannot choose to opt-out of an assumption. You either must accept the depopulation offer or rewrite coverage with another company.
If you do not return the opt-out form to the depopulation company within 30 days, your policy will be transferred to the company in a process called assumption. You will receive a Notice of Assumption and Nonrenewal and a Certificate of Assumption from Citizens.
Commercial Residential Policies Only
Once assumed, Commercial Residential policies have an additional 30 days to return to Citizens. Your agent can assist you with this process.
Additional Information
Additional information and resources, including sample letters and opt-out forms, are available on the Depopulation Resources page. You also can call Citizens’ Customer Care Center at 866.411.2742.
Be sure to consider the following information carefully when discussing the advantages of the offer with your agent.
Assessments
Citizens policyholders can be required to pay an assessment if Citizens does not have the resources to pay claims following a major hurricane or series of storms. This assessment, which would be imposed only if Citizens incurs significant losses, could be significant. Private-market policyholders can be subject to paying a much lower assessment amount.
