from Florida Home Builders Association
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is making changes to its program of reinspecting homes for wind mitigation credits.
The state-run insurer will reach out to customers through direct mail and email to inform them of the requirements and documentation necessary to retain their credits.
The company has come under fire for the program, with policyholders and lawmakers outraged by inspectors who took away credits for minor infractions that could be easily fixed, such as not enough nails on wind mitigation devices.
Citizens began the program last year when it realized changes to the wind mitigation credit requirements in 2010 meant many homeowners were receiving credits without meeting the qualifications.
Citizens CEO Barry Gilway acknowledged the company needs to do a better job of informing its customers about the program, but stressed that the goal of the program was not to raise money, as contended by some critics.
“The message out there is that this program is designed to increase premiums. That’s the last objective. The message is that we want to provide every single opportunity for our policyholders to get the full credit they deserve,” Gilway said.