What is Citizens Insurance in Florida?

Citizens Property Insurance is the state of Florida’s insurer of last resort. That means it’s the last available option for home insurance coverage. The not-for-profit company only insures homes in Florida that private insurers have refused to cover or for which they can't provide affordable coverage. 

With Florida’s frequent hurricanes, the Florida home insurance market has struggled as insurers begin to leave the state. By filling a void in the Florida insurance market, Citizens provides a solution for homeowners struggling to obtain coverage for their property. 

What are the pros and cons of Citizens Property Insurance?

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation offers Florida homeowners another option when they cannot obtain coverage from a private insurer. Its homeowners policies provide property and liability coverage, but Citizens also has eligibility requirements and participates in Florida’s depopulation program. 

Here are a few examples.

Pros:

  • Citizens accepts risks that other insurance companies won't
  • Citizens is state-backed and not-for-profit
  • Citizens is usually more affordable

Cons:

  • Citizens is a last resort, meaning you are out of options and have to pay the premium it offers
  • You may be subject to a "takeout" process, where your policy will be moved to a private insurer

Is Citizens Insurance only in Florida?

Citizens Insurance is a Florida-based company that writes policies only in Florida. Only people who live in Florida can purchase policies through Citizens, and only Florida homes qualify for coverage. The Florida Legislature created Citizens to provide coverage to eligible Florida property owners who can’t find affordable coverage from a private insurance company. 

However, there’s also a company by the same name in Louisiana. Similar to Citizens Insurance Florida, Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is a nonprofit organization created to help homeowners obtain insurance coverage when they cannot obtain it through the private market. 

With the state's vulnerability to hurricanes and flooding, Louisiana Citizens has become the last resort for many residents seeking home insurance coverage. 

Is Louisiana Citizens the same company?

No. Florida Citizens and Louisiana Citizens are separate insurance companies. Florida Citizens operates under Florida law and provides coverage for eligible Florida properties. Louisiana Citizens operates under Louisiana law and provides coverage for eligible properties in Louisiana. 

However, they serve the same purpose: To help homeowners struggling to obtain coverage from private home insurance companies receive the protection they need. Louisiana’s home insurance market faces many of the same challenges as Florida's.

Does Florida back Citizens Insurance?

The state of Florida backs Citizens Insurance and operates in accordance with statutory requirements established by the Florida Legislature. While Citizens is a not-for-profit and tax-exempt government entity funded by policyholder premiums, Florida law requires Citizens to levy surcharges on policyholders if it experiences a deficit in the wake of a catastrophic loss or devastating storm. 

How to get Citizens Insurance in Florida

To get a Citizens Property Insurance Corporation homeowners policy, start by finding a Citizens agent in your area. Citizens offers an agent lookup to help. The agent will walk you through the application process. You'll have to show that you have been unable to find an affordable policy on the private insurance market.

Who qualifies for Citizens Insurance in Florida?

If you live in Florida and can’t find affordable home insurance from a private insurance company, Citizens is a last-resort option. Your home will qualify if no private company offers you coverage or if the private-market premium is more than 20% higher than the Citizens premium for comparable coverage. 

You are eligible to purchase a Citizens policy if:

  • You live in Florida all year or seasonally
  • You’re unable to secure coverage with any other private home insurance provider
  • The quotes private insurers have given you are unaffordable; at least 20% more expensive than a comparable Citizens policy.

You are not eligible for Citizens if:

  • You are able to obtain home insurance on the open market, and
  • Your rates are less than 20% above the cost of a similar Citizens policy

Should you get Citizens Insurance?

If you’re eligible for Citizens Insurance, getting coverage from this state-run company is better than having no homeowners insurance at all. However, remember that Citizens is designed to be an insurer of last resort, not an insurer of choice. 

So, before signing on the dotted line, make sure you have explored your options with private homeowners insurance companies on the market and compared quotes from at least three insurers to see if you have a cheaper option. 

If you have exhausted your options, you should contact Citizens rather than going uninsured.

Is Citizens Insurance expensive?

Citizens coverage may be less expensive than a policy on the open market if your home is in a high-risk area. Your premium depends on your home, location, coverage amount, construction, deductible and other factors. In 2026, Citizens’ homeowners multiperil rates decreased by an average of 8.8% statewide, although individual policy rates vary. 

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved the rates, which took effect July 1, 2026, for new policies and at renewal for existing policies. 

According to Michael Peltier, Citizens spokesman, the state-run company’s insurance policies may be more affordable than those of private insurance companies. 

“Citizens annual rate increases are capped and reviewed annually by the Office of Insurance Regulation at a public hearing,” he says.

Citizens rates are regulated by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. For 2026, the maximum policy-level rate increase for primary personal lines increased from 14% to 15%. The 15% cap applies to eligible policy-level increases and does not mean every Citizens policy will increase by 15%.

Bear in mind that if you can get a cheaper policy elsewhere, there’s no need to apply with Citizens.

How much does Citizens home insurance cost?

Citizens home insurance rates vary by the home’s location, age, construction, coverage amount, deductible and policy type. 

Since one of the requirements for a Citizens policy is that you aren't able to find private market coverage at a rate that's at least 20% more than what Citizens offers, it's likely to be cheaper than with a private insurance company. 

Homeowners should also consider the potential cost of Citizens' assessments. If Citizens needs additional money to pay claims after a major disaster, Citizens policyholders can face a surcharge of up to 15% of their premium. 

To find out how much a Citizens property insurance policy will cost for you, request a Citizens insurance quote directly.

What does a Citizens home insurance policy cover?

A Citizens homeowners policy covers your home, other structures, personal belongings, additional living expenses and certain liability claims after a covered loss. Your coverage depends on the type of Citizens policy, its limits, deductibles and exclusions. 

Citizens’ standard homeowners insurance typically covers the following:

  • Dwelling: Covers the replacement cost of your home’s structure after a covered loss.
  • Other structures: Pays for the repairs of other structures on your property not connected to your home, such as storage sheds, detached garages, and pool houses. 
  • Personal property: Covers the depreciated value of your personal property and home contents, like your clothing or furniture. 
  • Loss of use: Pays for hotel stays and other temporary living expenses after a covered loss if you need to relocate while your home is being repaired. 
  • Personal liability: Pays for legal and medical expenses if someone is injured or their property is damaged and you’re deemed legally liable. 
  • Medical payments: Pays for medical bills if someone is injured on your property.  

Are there alternatives to Citizens Property Insurance?

Yes. Florida homeowners can purchase coverage from a private insurer if they qualify for a private policy. An independent insurance agent can compare available policies and explain the differences in coverage, deductibles, and premiums. 

Consider:

  • Working with a local agent who knows the market
  • Getting quotes from major insurance companies that can take on greater risk
  • Requesting quotes regularly, as the market changes over time

Our list of the best homeowners insurance companies can be a great starting point. Citizens Insurance should be a last resort.

Sources:

FAQ: Citizens Insurance

Does Citizens Insurance cover solar panels?

Yes, solar panels are covered by a Citizens policy in most cases.

Contact a local insurance agent who works with Citizens to get a quote.

Yes, but they are not taking over the policy; they are replacing it. Private insurers engage in policy takeouts from Citizens to move more homes off last-resort insurance and onto private plans; this is a new policy, not a transfer of the policy.

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