Citizens Homeowners Insurance Review (2024)

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was created in 2002 by the State of Florida to help property owners get homeowner’s insurance when they can’t find it elsewhere. Unlike many private insurance companies, Citizens is a tax-exempt non-profit organization run by the state government.

Citizens earns praise because they put their employees first. Moreover, they follow a mission to serve the people of Florida rather than increase profits. It’s responsible for managing public funds, and it takes that job seriously.

As one of Florida’s largest insurers of both homes and businesses, Citizens gives its customers the same level of service they would receive from a private company.

If you’re interested in affordable Citizens homeownerss insurance, a good place to start is with free quotes. If you’re ready to see what homeowner’s insurance quotes might look like for you, enter your ZIP code into our free tool to get started.

Citizens Homeowner’s Insurance Review

Citizens home insurance is becoming an increasingly popular choice amongst Florida residents because of the recent rise in property insurance rates. As fewer people can afford to use private companies for their insurance needs, they turn to Citizens.

The rate increase for property insurance comes in the wake of hurricanes. These events caused massive property damage to Florida homes. As claims increased, Florida insurance companies had to raise their rates to stay in business.

One of the key reasons that Citizens is one of the largest insurance companies in Florida is because other companies won’t insure certain high-risk regions.

For property owners within those regions and other high-risk applicants, Citizens is a last-resort option for Floridians to get the insurance they need.

How much does Citizens cost?

Citizens does not post information about their prices online. In fact, one of the chief complaints against the company is that finding pricing information can be difficult.

In general, however, rates for Citizens homeowner’s insurance tend to be much lower than other companies in Florida.

For insurance quotes or to buy Citizens homeowner’s insurance, you should call the Citizens’ Customer Care Center at (888) 685-1555. They are open between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST.

Citizens’ Customer Complaints

Every insurance company will have customer complaints. One of the biggest factors used to determine the strength of an insurance company is to look at how many complaints they receive and how they resolve them.

So, how does Citizens handle complaints? The Better Business Bureau does not accredit Citizens homeowner’s insurance company, but they have been given a rating of A. However, out of 59 ratings left by customers, 42 gave them only one star.

While the complaints are varied, people commonly mention that Citizens denies claims because it provides limited coverage. Another common grievance is that pay-outs don’t cover the total cost of repairs because of the way Citizens values properties.

Even though Citizens is meant to be a low-cost option for people that can’t find insurance anywhere else, reviewers also mention that prices are too high.

Despite the complaints, Citizens receives high rates from insurance ranking companies:

• AM Best ranks them as stable, with an A rating
• Fitch also ranks them as stable at an AA rating
• S&P gives them an A rating and marks them as stable

Citizens might not offer as much coverage as you’d like, but it’s an excellent choice if you have no other option for insurance.

What types of coverage does Citizens offer?

Citizens offers several types of homeowners and renters insurance. For example, since Florida is susceptible to extreme weather, one of Citizens’ most popular policies is its wind-only policy.

However, Citizens’ most common policy is its personal residential multi-peril policy. This is a basic homeowners policy that offers standard property coverage. About half of the policies Citizens sells are personal residential.

Citizens divides its policies into different classifications based on the type of building it insures. Traditional homeowners, mobile homeowners, and condo owners have their own special needs. Citizen insurance provides unique policies to meet those needs.

You can also get a content-only policy if you are a renter, which protects your personal items without any protection for the actual building. Renter’s insurance not only protects all of your material belongings, but it’s also cheap.

Find Quotes for Citizens Homeowner’s Insurance

Getting the right property insurance is invaluable, especially for Florida residents who live with extreme weather. If you live in a region marked as uninsurable by other companies, or you’re high-risk for any other reason, Citizen home insurance can provide you with the coverage you need.

As a last-resort option, you should always shop around for quotes before you turn to Citizens. If you’re ready to see what quotes might look like for you, enter your ZIP code into our free tool to get started.

Case Studies: Affordable Insurance Option With Citizens Homeowners Insurance

Case Study 1: Affordable Insurance Option

Sarah, residing in an area with high property insurance rates, finds it difficult to obtain affordable coverage from private companies. As a last resort, she turns to Citizens homeowners insurance, which offers a cheaper alternative for those facing location, risk factor, or pricing challenges. Despite a higher number of complaints, Citizens remains a viable option for individuals like Sarah.

Case Study 2: Limited Coverage and Customer Complaints

John’s property is in a high-risk region where other insurers refuse coverage. He chooses Citizens insurance, a tax-exempt non-profit run by the state government. However, he encounters challenges when filing a claim. Citizens’ coverage is limited, and property valuation may not fully cover repair costs. Nevertheless, John appreciates the lower prices offered by Citizens.

Case Study 3: Last-Resort Option for Uninsurable Properties

Emily’s property is located in an uninsurable region according to private insurers due to its high-risk nature. With limited options, she turns to Citizens homeowners insurance, Florida’s largest insurer. Despite occasional complaints and difficulties in obtaining pricing information, Emily finds solace in Citizens’ mission to serve the people of Florida and provide coverage where others won’t.

Streamlining Experience With Citizens Homeowners Insurance Claims Process

Ease of Filing a Claim

Citizens Homeowners Insurance provides a necessary safety net for property owners in Florida, particularly those residing in high-risk regions. However, one aspect crucial to any insurance experience is the ease of filing a claim. When it comes to Citizens, the process is primarily conducted over the phone. Unfortunately, there is no online option available for claim submission.

To initiate a claim, policyholders can contact the Citizens’ Insurance Claims Center at (866) 411-2742. It’s essential to have all the relevant information about the damage to your property and its current status on hand when making the call. Homes rendered uninhabitable often receive priority in the claims process.

Average Claim Processing Time

Timeliness in handling claims is paramount for policyholders seeking quick recovery from property damages. While Citizens does not explicitly state their average claim processing time, customers can expect a relatively standard procedure. After filing a claim, policyholders will be contacted by a claims adjuster.

This adjuster plays a pivotal role in verifying the claim, conducting inspections, and facilitating the progression of the claim through the necessary steps. The time it takes to process a claim can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the volume of claims being processed.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

The true measure of an insurance company’s reliability lies in how it handles customer claims. Citizens Homeowners Insurance, despite its affordability and last-resort nature for high-risk properties, has faced criticism in this regard. Some policyholders have reported dissatisfaction with claim resolutions and payouts.

Common grievances include claim denials due to limited coverage and payouts falling short of covering the entire cost of repairs, often due to property valuation methods. However, it’s important to note that despite these challenges, Citizens receives high ratings from insurance ranking companies, indicating its value as a coverage option when no other alternatives are available.

Unleashing Innovation With Citizens Homeowners Insurance Digital and Technological Features

Mobile App Features and Functionality

In today’s digital age, insurance companies are expected to provide user-friendly mobile apps for policyholders to manage their accounts conveniently. Citizens Homeowners Insurance, however, does not offer an official mobile app for policy management. This absence of a dedicated app might limit the digital convenience for tech-savvy customers who prefer handling their insurance matters on their smartphones or tablets.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Online account management is a key component of modern insurance service delivery. While Citizens Homeowners Insurance may lack a mobile app, it does provide online account management capabilities through their website. Policyholders can access their accounts, view policy details, and make payments online.

Although not as convenient as a dedicated mobile app, this online option offers some flexibility for customers looking to manage their policies digitally.

Digital Tools and Resources

Having access to digital tools and resources can significantly enhance the overall customer experience. Citizens Homeowners Insurance provides various online resources and tools on their website. These resources may include educational materials, policy information, and frequently asked questions to assist policyholders in understanding their coverage and making informed decisions.

While it may not offer cutting-edge digital features, Citizens strives to provide valuable information and resources to support their customers in navigating their insurance needs in the digital realm.