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QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS FOR POLICYHOLDERS
REGARDING THE LIQUIDATION OF
SOUTHERN FAMILY, ATLANTIC PREFERRED AND
FLORIDA PREFERRED |
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FAQ’s - POE INSURER
LIQUIDATION/CITIZENS TRANSITION COVERAGE
Questions & Answers Regarding the
Liquidation of Southern Family Insurance
Company, Atlantic Preferred Insurance
Company, and Florida Preferred Property
Insurance Company (the “Poe Insurers”)
Transition of Coverage to Citizens
Property Insurance Corporation
(“Citizens”)
SUMMARY
- “Poe Coverage,” your insurance
coverage with the Poe Insurers, ends at
12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2006.
- Under your Poe Coverage, FIGA will
handle losses occurring on or before
12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2006
-“Citizens Transition Coverage”
automatically picks up coverage for
an Eligible Policyholder beginning July
1, 2006, and ending on the date that
coverage would have ended under the Poe
policy.
- Citizens Transition Coverage uses the
existing forms and premiums of the Poe
Insurers.
-A policyholder eligible for Citizens
Transition Coverage is not required to
file an application and does not need to
pay any premium already paid to the Poe
Insurers.
- All Poe policyholders are eligible for
Citizens Transition Coverage, except:
o A policyholder who has received an
offer of coverage from an admitted
carrier.
o A commercial lines policyholder,
including condo associations, with an
aggregate building limit of $25 million
or greater.
o A policyholder who has obtained
replacement coverage with another
insurance company.
o A policyholder whose coverage was
cancelled by a Poe Insurer for
non-payment of premium or underwriting
reasons, or at the policyholder’s
request.
o Coverage written on a form that
Citizens does not write, e.g., flood and
personal umbrella.
-Policyholders ineligible for Citizens
Transition Coverage may contact their
agents to see if they qualify for
“Citizens Regular Coverage” under
Citizens regular forms and premiums.
-Over a twelve-month period, upon the
expiration of Citizens Transition
Coverage, policyholders must apply for
Citizens Regular Coverage under Citizens
regular forms and premiums.
-Policyholders should not pay renewal
premiums to the Poe Insurers for renewal
coverage that begins after June 30,
2006.
o For policyholders who have already
paid their renewal premium to the Poe
Insurers for renewals occurring July 1,
2006 or later, the Receiver has mailed
refunds of such premiums to the
policyholders, so that these moneys can
be used to obtain regular coverage with
another insurance company or with
Citizens.
While Citizens coverage has been
accepted by both FANNIE MAE and FREDDIE
MAC, policyholders and agents are urged
to seek coverage from insurers other
than Citizens.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTACT INFORMATION
MY INSURANCE AGENT
POLICY AND COVERAGE INFORMATION
Poe Coverage
Citizens Coverage
Eligible Policyholders – Citizens
Coverage
Other Insurance Companies
Policy Forms
Premium Payments
Premium Refunds
Commercial Coverage
Coverage Not Provided by Citizens
Mortgage Lender Notices
Unrepaired Property
Legal Notice
CLAIMS INFORMATION
AGENT INFORMATION
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
1. Policy and Underwriting Related
Inquiries
All inquiries relating to policy
coverage, endorsements and cancellation
of your Poe Coverage and Citizens
Transition Coverage should be referred
to your agent or the Citizens’ Tampa
Service Center at 1-866-875-8877.
Citizens’ Tampa Service Center Hours of
Operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00
A.M. - 5:00
P.M.
2. How do I contact the Receiver to
get additional information regarding
receivership processes, including
additional information on liquidation?
Please go to the Receiver’s website at
www.floridainsurancereceiver.org. You
may contact the Receiver directly by
using the “Contact Us” form on the
website or by calling the consumer
hotline at 1-800-882-3054 (toll-free).
3. New and Pending Loss Claim
Inquiries – FOR LOSSES INCURRED PRIOR TO
JULY 1, 2006
All inquiries relating to claims for
losses incurred prior to July 1, 2006,
should be submitted to the Florida
Insurance Guaranty Association ("FIGA")
per below:
Florida Insurance Guaranty Association P
O Box 10366 Jacksonville, Florida
32247-0366
1-866-928-4310 (toll-free)
Hours of Operation are Monday - Friday
from 8:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Additional information on FIGA is
available on its website,
www.figafacts.com.
4. New and Pending Loss Claim
Inquiries – FOR LOSSES INCURRED ON AND
AFTER JULY 1, 2006 for Citizens
Transition Coverage only.
Inquiries relating to claims for losses
incurred on and after July 1, 2006,
should be submitted to Citizens Property
Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) per
below:
1-866-875-8869 (toll-free)
Hours of Operation are Monday - Friday
from 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M., Saturday –
Sunday 9:00
A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
MY INSURANCE AGENT
5. Will I have the same agent once
Citizens becomes my new insurer?
As long as the agent is appointed with
Citizens, the agent will not change.
Most Poe independent agents are already
appointed with Citizens.
Citizens has informed the Receiver that
it will not be using Poe & Associates,
Inc., for Citizens Transition Coverage
and Citizens Regular Coverage. Poe and
Associates, Inc., is an insurance agency
affiliated with the Poe Insurers.
Beginning July 1, Citizens will service
these policyholders on its own behalf.
POLICY AND COVERAGE INFORMATION:
Poe Coverage
6. What is the current status of my
insurance policy with my Poe Insurer? Do
I still have insurance?
Your “Poe Coverage” which is your
current policy with a Poe Insurer, will
remain in force through 12:01 a.m. on
July 1, 2006.
Your Poe Coverage may be cancelled
earlier for non-payment of premium or
underwriting reasons, or by the request
of the policyholder.
7. Are any of the Poe Insurers
writing new business?
No. The Poe Insurers are no longer
writing new policies.
Citizens Coverage
8. Do I have Coverage with Citizens
as of July 1, 2006?
Yes, if you are an Eligible
Policyholder.
Citizens will provide two types of
coverage – “Citizens Transition
Coverage” and “Citizens Regular
Coverage,” which are described below.
Almost all Poe policyholders are
eligible for Transition Coverage with
Citizens. See “Are all Poe Policyholders
Eligible for Coverage with Citizens?”
9. What is Citizens Transition
Coverage?
“Citizens Transition Coverage” is
insurance with Citizens provided using
the policy forms and premiums of your
Poe Insurer. Citizens Transition
Coverage starts on July 1, 2006 and ends
when the original policy period of the
Poe Insurer policy ends. For example, if
your policy with a Poe Insurer would
have expired on March 1, 2007, your
Citizens Transition Coverage is in
effect from July 1, 2006 through March
1, 2007.
10. What does a policyholder have to
do to get Citizens Transition Coverage?
Nothing. If you are eligible, you do not
need to submit an application for
Citizens Transition Coverage. You also
do not need to pay premium, unless you
owe premium on your current policy with
a Poe Insurer.
11. What do I do when my Citizens
Transition Coverage is about to end?
Before your Citizens Transition Coverage
expires you should contact your agent to
seek replacement coverage with another
insurance company or to obtain Regular
Citizens Coverage (if eligible).
12. What is Citizens Regular
Coverage?
Citizens Regular Coverage is a new
policy with Citizens using its regular
policy forms and premiums.
13. What steps must a policyholder
take to get Citizens Regular Coverage?
Citizens Regular Coverage is NOT
automatic. A policyholder must contact
his or her agent to apply for Citizens
Regular Coverage. An application is
required, and the policyholder must pay
new premium to Citizens. Citizens is
working to make this process as easy as
possible for policyholders and agents.
Your agent has been provided with
instructions on a streamlined
application process.
14. If my Citizens Transition
Coverage ends in July, will there be
enough time for me to get Citizens
Regular Coverage?
Yes. For policyholders whose Citizens
Transition Coverage ends in July,
Citizens has developed a quick process
to make sure that policyholders do not
have gaps in coverage. Details have been
provided to your agent.
Eligible Policyholders – Citizens
Coverage
15. Are all Poe Policyholders
eligible for coverage with Citizens?
Almost, but not all are eligible for
Citizens Transition Coverage.
All Poe Policyholders are eligible for
Citizens Transition Coverage, except:
o A policyholder who has received an
offer of coverage from an admitted
carrier.
o A commercial lines policyholder,
including condo associations, with an
aggregate building limit of $25 million
or greater.
o A policyholder who has obtained
replacement coverage from another
insurance company.
o A policyholder whose policy was
cancelled by Poe Insurers for
non-payment of premium or underwriting
reasons, or at the policyholders’
request.
o Coverage written on a form that
Citizens does not write, e.g., flood and
personal umbrella.
Any applicant for Citizens Regular
Coverage must meet Citizens’ regular
eligibility requirements. Contact your
agent for details.
Other Insurance Companies
16. Am I required to be insured with
Citizens?
No. You may decline coverage with
Citizens. But unless you decline
coverage, you will be insured
automatically if you are eligible for
Citizens Transition Coverage.
17. Where can I try to find alternate
insurance coverage?
You should contact your agent, or if you
do not have an agent, contact the
Florida Market Assistance Plan (“FMAP”)
at www.fmap.org or (800) 524-9023 to see
if FMAP can point you to an insurance
agent that will write your policy.
18. What should I do if I want to
replace my coverage now?
You may contact your insurance agent now
for assistance in finding other coverage
options. You can also contact the
Florida Market Assistance Plan at
www.fmap.org or (800) 524-9023 for
additional information. For all eligible
policyholders, coverage cannot be
replaced with Citizens Regular Coverage
until the end of the Citizens Transition
Coverage.
Policy Forms
19. Will I receive new Citizens
policy forms if I am eligible for
Citizens Transition Coverage?
No. The Receiver has mailed a “Notice to
Policyholders” with Citizens’ “Notice of
Offer of Automatic Coverage” to
policyholders as evidence of Citizens’
offer to provide coverage. While
Citizens will not be issuing any other
evidence of coverage, eligible
policyholders may rely on the
declaration pages and other policy forms
from their coverage with the Poe
Insurers for details of their Citizens
Transition Coverage. Citizens will not
be issuing a new policy to Citizens
Transition Coverage policyholders.
20. Will I receive a new Citizens
policy if I am eligible for Citizens
Regular Coverage?
If you apply and your application is
approved Citizens will mail out new
policy forms for Citizens Regular
Coverage.
Premium Payments
21. If I received a Poe Insurers
notice of renewal coverage beginning
July 1, 2006 or later, should I pay the
bill?
No. Renewals for Poe Coverage effective
on July 1, 2006 or later will not be
honored. Citizens will provide
Transition Coverage beginning July 1,
2006 through the expiration date listed
on your Poe Coverage for eligible
policyholders, but it is your
responsibility to seek replacement
coverage prior to the expiration of the
Citizens Transition Coverage. See
question 17 if you need assistance in
obtaining replacement insurance
coverage.
22. What should I do if I have
already paid my bill for Poe Insurer
coverage effective July 1, 2006 or
later?
For policyholders who have already paid
their renewal premium to the Poe
Insurers for renewals occurring July 1,
2006 or later, the Receiver has mailed
refunds of such premiums, so that these
moneys can be used to obtain regular
coverage with another insurance company
or with Citizens. If the premium payment
was received and deposited by the Poe
Insurer, then the Receiver has refunded
the premium directly to the
policyholder. However, if the premium
payment was received but not deposited,
then the Receiver has returned the
payment to the original sender. Any such
payments received in the future will be
handled by the Receiver in this manner.
23. When Citizens provides Citizens
Transition Coverage, will my premiums go
up or will I have to pay any other fees?
If you are eligible for Citizens
Transition Coverage on July 1, 2006,
your premium will remain the same until
the expiration of your current policy,
unless you request changes to your
policy
terms or coverage. If you have paid the
full amount of your premiums to the Poe
Insurers, no additional fees are due for
your Citizens Transition Coverage.
24. If I obtain Citizens Regular
Coverage at the end of my Citizens
Transition Coverage, will my premiums go
up and if so, how much?
The premium for Citizens Regular
Coverage will likely be higher than the
premium you paid for your Poe Coverage.
When you apply for your Citizens Regular
Coverage, your agent will inform you
about the premium that will be due.
25. I have Poe Coverage and opted to
pay my annual premium in two
installments. My second payment is due
after July 1, 2006. To whom should I
send the payment?
If you are eligible for Citizens
Transition Coverage, after July 1, 2006
you should send your second Poe Coverage
installment payment to Citizens Tampa
Service Center at:
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Citizens Transition Coverage PO Box
172969 Tampa, FL 33672-0969
26. I have Poe Coverage and opted to
pay my annual premium in two
installments. I have not been billed for
the second installment, which is due
after July 1, 2006. Will Citizens be
sending me a bill for this installment?
If you are eligible for Citizens
Transition Coverage, the second
installment billing will come from
Citizens Tampa Service Center and the
invoice will advise you where to submit
your premium.
Premium Refunds
27. If I am able to replace my
coverage prior to the end of my Poe
Coverage, will I receive a refund for
the unearned premium?
Policyholders who cancel their Poe
Coverage prior to July 1, 2006 are
entitled to a pro-rata refund of the
unused portion of their premiums from
FIGA. Contact your agent or the Citizens
Tampa Service Center (1-866-875-8877) to
request cancellation. The unearned
premium due will be calculated and then
forwarded to FIGA for payment
processing. FIGA will apply a $100
statutory deductible from the gross
amount owed and will mail out the check.
If your gross refund is less than $100,
you will not currently receive a refund
of your unearned premium. You may file a
claim in the estate of the insurance
company for the $100 deductible. The
Receiver will send proof of claim forms
and instructions for filing a claim.
28. If I am able to find replacement
coverage for my Citizens Transition
Coverage on or after July 1, 2006, will
I receive a refund for the unearned
premium?
Policyholders who cancel their Citizens
Transition Coverage are entitled to a
pro-rata refund of the unused portion of
their premiums from FIGA. Contact your
agent or the Citizens Tampa Service
Center (1-866-875-8877) to request
cancellation.
29. Am I entitled to any unearned
premium from FIGA when my Poe Coverage
cancels on July 1, 2006?
Policyholders who receive Citizens
Transition Coverage will not receive
unearned premium. Those amounts will be
paid by FIGA directly to Citizens. For
those policyholders who do not
transition to Citizens, FIGA will pay
unearned premium claims after the
Receiver completes its processing of the
policy records and sends the unearned
premium record to FIGA. A $100 statutory
deductible will be taken from the amount
owed. FIGA will return your unearned
premium as quickly as possible. You may
file a claim in the estate of the
insurance company for the $100
deductible. The Receiver will send proof
of claim forms and instructions for
filing a claim.
Commercial Coverage
30. I have a commercial lines policy
with a Poe Insurer. Will my policy be
automatically transitioned to Citizens?
It depends. A commercial policyholder,
including condo associations, is
eligible for Citizens Transition
Coverage unless the aggregate building
limit on your policy is $25 million or
greater. For these large policies, your
agent must apply for Citizens Regular
Coverage as of July 1, 2006. You should
immediately contact your agent to ensure
that your commercial coverage is in
place as of July 1.
Coverage Not Provided by Citizens
31. I have an umbrella liability
policy in addition to my homeowners
policy. Will my umbrella liability
policy be automatically transitioned to
Citizens along with my homeowners
policy?
No. Citizens does not issue umbrella
liability policies. You should
immediately contact your agent to find
replacement insurance coverage with
another insurance company to avoid any
lapse in coverage after June 30, 2006.
32. I have a flood policy with a Poe
Insurer. Will my flood policy be
automatically transitioned to Citizens?
No. Citizens does not issue flood
policies. The Receiver has sold the
flood book to Fidelity National Property
and Casualty Insurance Company, another
authorized insurance company.
Independent agents and policyholders can
contact Fidelity National Property and
Casualty Insurance Company toll free at
(800) 820-3242 or via facsimile at (800)
850-3299. Independent agents can also
reach Fidelity National Property and
Casualty Insurance Company by visiting
their website at
www.fidelitynationalflood.com or via
e-mail at floodcustomerservice@fnf.com.
33. What if I have additional
homeowner coverage on my Poe Homeowners
policy that Citizens does not provide,
e.g., a personal articles floater?
Citizens will provide the additional
coverage for the Citizens Transition
Coverage, but will not provide it for
Citizens Regular Coverage. If you need
additional coverage, your agent will
have to find it through another
insurance company.
Mortgage Lender Notices
34. I have received a notice from my
mortgage lender stating that I need to
get insurance coverage with another
insurance company due to the Poe
Insurers’ current financial rating, or
the mortgage company will force place my
coverage. What should I do?
Citizens coverage has been accepted by
both FANNIE MAE and FREDDIE MAC and
should be accepted by your mortgage
lender. The Receiver has mailed a
“Notice to Policyholders” with Citizens’
“Notice of Offer of Automatic Coverage”.
Assuming you are an Eligible
Policyholder, you should then send that
notice to your mortgage company to
verify that you have appropriate
insurance coverage in force. If you are
able to place your insurance with a
company other than Citizens, you should
provide evidence of that coverage to
your mortgage company. If your mortgage
lender does force place your coverage
when in fact you had no lapse in
insurance coverage, then your mortgage
company should be required to reverse
the forced placed coverage and refund
your premium paid, if any. You should
contact your mortgage company for
further details. Visit
www.citizensfla.com if you need a copy
of the letter from FANNIE MAE and
FREDDIE MAC certifying acceptance of
Citizens coverage for hazard insurance.
Un-repaired Property
35. If my home is in need of repair
resulting from a previously reported Poe
claim, will Citizens provide Citizens
Transition Coverage?
Citizens will provide Citizens
Transition Coverage to the Eligible
Policyholder, regardless of existing
un-repaired damage, through the date
that coverage would have ended under the
policy with the Poe Insurers.
36. If my home is in need of repair
resulting from a previously reported Poe
claim, will Citizens provide Citizens
Regular Coverage?
If you are otherwise eligible, Citizens
will provide Citizens Regular Coverage
for a home with prior damage. However,
Citizens will not provide coverage for
the damaged portion of the property. The
policyholder will have a period of 90
days to show that a contract to repair
the damages has been signed and then 90
more days to complete the repairs in
order for coverage to continue.
Legal Notice
Citizens Transition Coverage is subject
to the terms and conditions of the
Receiver’s Plan of Liquidation and
Transition (“Liquidation Plan”) ordered
by the Court on June 2, 2006 in the
liquidation of the Southern Family
Insurance Company, Atlantic Preferred
Insurance Company, and Florida Preferred
Property Insurance Company.
CLAIMS INFORMATION:
37. Now that the Poe Insurers are in
Liquidation, who will adjust claims?
In liquidation, the Florida Insurance
Guaranty Association ("FIGA") is
activated to help pay outstanding
claims. The claims process will continue
with the adjusting being performed by
representatives from FIGA. However,
claims for losses incurred after the
transition to Citizens on July 1, 2006
will be processed and paid by Citizens.
38. What is the Florida Insurance
Guaranty Association?
The Florida Insurance Guaranty
Association (“FIGA”) is a nonprofit
corporation statutorily created to
provide a mechanism for the payment of
claims when an insurance company is
ordered liquidated.
39. How do I file a new claim for a
loss incurred prior to July 1, 2006?
FIGA is processing new covered claims.
In order to file a new claim, you should
contact FIGA at:
Florida Insurance Guaranty Association P
O Box 10366 Jacksonville, Florida
32247-0366
1-866-928-4310 (toll-free)
Hours of Operation are Monday - Friday
from 8:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.
www.figafacts.com
40. How do I file a new claim for a
loss incurred on or after July 1, 2006?
All claims that occur on or after July
1, 2006, for Citizens Transition
Coverage should be reported to
1-866-875-8869.
41. What is the status of my current
pending claim?
The processing and payment of pending
covered claims will be made by FIGA
(subject to the lesser of policy limits
or FIGA’s maximum cap). The maximum
amount FIGA will cover is $300,000 with
special limits applying to (1) damages
to structure and contents on homeowners
claims and (2) on condominium and
homeowners association claims. For
damages to structure and contents on
homeowners claims the FIGA cap is an
additional $200,000. For condominium and
homeowners association claims the cap
will be $100,000 multiplied by the
number of units in the association. No
claim will be paid in excess of this
cap. All claims are subject to a $100
deductible over and above any deductible
identified in your policy. You may file
a claim in the estate of the insurance
company for the $100 deductible and for
amounts over the cap. The Receiver will
send proof of claim forms and
instructions for filing a claim.
42. Will I receive all of the money I
am now due from my claim?
In liquidation, your covered claims will
be processed by representatives from
FIGA. All covered claims will be paid by
FIGA (subject to the lesser of policy
limits or FIGA’s maximum cap). The
maximum amount FIGA will pay is $300,000
with special limits applying to (1)
damages to structure and contents on
homeowner’s claims and (2) on
condominium and homeowners association
claims. For damages to structure and
contents on homeowner’s claims the FIGA
cap is an additional $200,000. For
condominium and homeowners associations,
the cap will be $100,000 multiplied by
the number of residential units in the
association. All claims paid by FIGA are
subject to a $100 statutory deductible.
You may file a claim in the estate of
the insurance company for the $100
deductible and for amounts over the cap.
The Receiver will send proof of claim
forms and instructions for filing a
claim.
43. Our pending condo association
claim is now being handled by the
Florida Insurance Guaranty Association.
We understand there is a cap of $100,000
per unit. Does the $100 deductible apply
to each unit or to the policy?
The $100 statutory deductible applies to
the policy.
44. What is a covered claim?
A covered claim is defined by Section
631.54, Florida Statutes, and means "an
unpaid claim, including one of unearned
premium, which arises out of, and is
within the coverage, and is not in
excess of the applicable limits of an
insurance policy..."
45. If my home is uninhabitable, will
FIGA pay for another place for me to
live?
If your dwelling is damaged due to a
disaster and you must move due to the
uninhabitable condition of the dwelling,
or if a civil authority prevents access
to the dwelling, the Additional Living
Expense (ALE) provision of your
homeowners policy may pay reasonable
additional expenses. Your policy
controls this.
46. Are disaster evacuation expenses
covered by FIGA?
Your policy controls what is covered.
Generally, voluntary evacuation expenses
will not be covered by your insurance
policy, and only under certain
conditions will mandatory evacuation
expenses be covered.
47. Is the Condominium Association’s
loss assessment for the disaster claim
covered under my Poe Insurer’s policy?
Since policies vary you should review
your coverage with your agent.
Generally, condominium associations may
assess individual units for damage to
common areas which aren’t covered by the
association’s policy. Your unit owners
policy may provide limited coverage.
THE DATE OF LOSS FOR THE ASSESSMENT
CLAIM WILL BE THE DATE ON THE ASSESSMENT
LETTER.
If the assessment letter from your
condominium association is dated prior
to July 1, 2006 (or the date the policy
was cancelled if prior to July 1, 2006),
then FIGA will administer the claim.
If the date of the assessment letter
from your condominium association is
after July 1, 2006, you may have a claim
against the new insurance company
(Citizens if Citizens Transition
Coverage was obtained).
48. I have a flood policy with a Poe
Insurer and I need to file a claim for a
loss incurred prior to July 1, 2006. Who
do I contact to file my claim?
If you have a flood claim, you must
contact National Flood Services, Inc.
which is currently servicing the flood
business written by the Poe Insurers.
Claims may be filed by contacting
National Flood Services, Inc. at
1-800-759-8656. The Florida Insurance
Guaranty Association is not handling
flood claims on behalf of the Poe
Insurers.
49. I have a flood policy with a Poe
Insurer and I need to file a claim for a
loss incurred on or after July 1, 2006.
Who do I contact to file my claim?
The Receiver has sold the flood book to
Fidelity National Property and Casualty
Insurance Company, another authorized
insurance company. Independent agents
and policyholders can contact Fidelity
National Property and Casualty Insurance
Company toll free at (800) 820-3242 or
via facsimile at (800) 850-3299.
Independent agents can also reach
Fidelity National Property and Casualty
Insurance Company by visiting their
website at www.fidelitynationalflood.com
or via e-mail at floodcustomerservice@fnf.com.
50. There is a lawsuit being brought
against me. What should I do?
You should contact FIGA immediately at 1-866-928-4310 (toll-free). FIGA will
determine if you are entitled to receive
legal defense just as your insurance
company would have done if it were still
solvent.
51. I am scheduled for mediation with
my current Poe Insurer. Will I still be
able to go to mediation?
In liquidation, your claims will be
handled by representatives from FIGA.
The mediation process will be available.
However, if there is pending litigation,
FIGA’s statutory stay of litigation may
affect the mediation process by
temporarily postponing scheduled
mediation. You will need to contact FIGA
for more information.
52. I went to mediation but the Poe
Insurer has not complied with the
agreement we reached in mediation. Who
will make sure the agreements are
complied with?
In liquidation, FIGA will handle claims
and will review these situations on a
case by case basis.
AGENT INFORMATION:
53. What will be the process for
submitting an application to Citizens
for Citizens Regular Coverage (for
former Poe policyholders only)?
Personal Residential – MultiPeril (ePAS):
o Submit a completed application,
premium check and a copy of the Poe
Insurer declarations page only.
o For expedited processing, enter in
ePAS the prior company name and policy
number. These fields are located on the
“Other” tab.
o Write the previous Poe Insurer name
and policy number on the top right
corner of the Citizens application.
o No additional documentation required.
Personal Residential – Wind-only (eWind):
o Submit a completed application,
premium check and a copy of the Poe
Insurer declarations page only.
o For expedited processing, write the
previous Poe Insurer name and policy
number on the top right corner of the
Citizens application.
o No additional documentation required.
Commercial policies – MultiPeril (CLA)
and Wind-only (HRA):
o Submit a completed application with
all required documents, photos, etc. and
a copy of the expiring Poe Insurer
declarations page.
o For expedited processing, write the
previous Poe Insurer name and policy
number on the top right corner of the
Citizens application.
54. What is going to happen to the
commissions I have been paid by the Poe
Insurers?
If you are appointed as an agent by
Citizens for the Citizens Transition
Coverage, you may retain the commission
you have already been paid by the Poe
Insurers for Poe Coverage that renews
prior to July 1, 2006. However, if the
Citizens Transition Coverage cancels
early, you are required to return the
remaining unearned commission to the
Receiver.
55. How do I process policy and
underwriting changes for Citizens
Transition Coverage?
Agents appointed by Citizens for
Citizens Transition Coverage that have
access to Poe systems will continue to
be able to service all inquiries
relating to policy coverage,
endorsements, and cancellation of
Citizens Transition Coverage as you have
in the past. Agents unable to process a
change directly may call the Citizens’
Tampa Service Center at 1-866-875-8877.
56. Is there a new mailing address
for correspondence and premium related
to Citizens Transition Coverage?
Effective immediately, Citizens’ has
established a post office box in Tampa
for Citizens Transition Coverage
policies. All correspondence or premium
payments for Citizens Transition
Coverage should be sent to:
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Citizens Transition Coverage PO Box
172969 Tampa, FL 33672-0969
This post office box is for Citizens
Transition Coverage policies only! DO
NOT SEND applications, correspondence,
or payments for Citizens Regular
Coverage to this box. They will be
returned and processing will be delayed.
57. Where should overnight packages
be sent?
Any documents that must be sent
overnight to the Citizens Tampa Service
Center must be sent
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) overnight.
FEDEX and other overnight services are
not accepted at the post office.
58. Should agents submit an
application for Citizens Regular
Coverage immediately for policyholders
whose Citizens Transition Coverage
expires in July, 2006 (even if they have
paid their Poe premium)?
Agents who cannot secure replacement
coverage through another insurer may
submit an application for Citizens
Regular Coverage for policyholders whose
Citizens Transition Coverage expires in
July, 2006. Be sure to enter correctly
the prior company name and policy
number, and attach a copy of the
expiring Poe declaration page to
expedite processing.
59. Will policyholders whose policies
expire in July be sent a notice about
how to find replacement coverage?
Citizens is aware that policyholders
whose policies have normal expiration
dates in July 2006, will have limited
time to receive offers of replacement
coverage. The Receiver has mailed a
“Notice to Policyholders” along with
Citizens’ “Notice of Offer of Automatic
Coverage” outlining the policyholder’s
options.
60. Will Citizens issue a non-renewal
notice or reminder for Citizens
Transitions policies prior to the
expiration date?
No. Citizens’ “Notice of Offer of
Automatic Coverage” referenced above
will be the only notice mailed regarding
this issue. Policyholders should be
aware of their policy expiration date
and begin seeking replacement coverage
prior to that date.
61. Can policyholders apply for
Citizens Regular Coverage immediately to
avoid the statutory deductibles and cap
limits that would be applicable on any
June 2006 loss claims handled by FIGA?
No. According to Florida Statutes, a
risk is not eligible for coverage with
Citizens if existing or replacement
coverage is available with an authorized
insurer. Claims which occur prior to
12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2006, will be
covered by FIGA and are subject to any
applicable statutory deductibles and cap
limits.
62. Since commercial lines
policyholders, including condo
associations, with aggregate building
limits of $25 million or greater are not
eligible for Citizens Transition
Coverage, will Citizens waive the 30
business day rule for coverage to be
bound through Citizens Regular Coverage?
Citizens is handling these on an
exception basis and will be working with
the affected agencies individually.
Citizens underwriting staff have been in
contact with the producing agents of
these policies.
63. If the Citizens Transition
Coverage includes wind and all other
perils and the risk is located in a wind
eligible territory, how should the
policy be written at expiration?
If the agent is unable to secure
replacement coverage in the voluntary
market, two separate applications
(wind-only and multi-peril) must be
submitted for Citizens Regular Coverage.
64. If a mortgage company notifies an
insured that Citizens coverage is not
acceptable and must be replaced within
60 days, what should the agency do?
The Receiver has mailed a “Notice to
Policyholders” with Citizens’ “Notice of
Offer of Automatic Coverage” to
policyholders. A copy provided to the
lender should be sufficient proof of
coverage.
65. I am owed commissions from a Poe
Insurer. Will I be paid?
Yes. Commission checks have been mailed
through the May 2006 commissions owed by
the Poe Insurers. The Receiver paid
commissions owed by Southern Family
Insurance Company and Atlantic Preferred
Insurance Company. Poe and Associates
has informed the Receiver that it has
mailed commissions due from Florida
Preferred Property Insurance Company,
which was not in receivership until June
1, 2006.
66. Is this an assumption of Poe
coverage by Citizens, since Citizens is
using the policyholder's Poe Insurer
forms and rates for the remaining term
of the Poe Coverage?
No. This is not an assumption of
coverage. Per the Liquidation Plan,
Citizens will have approval from the OIR
to use Poe Insurer's forms and rates as
Citizens' forms and rates for the
remaining term of the Poe Coverage.
LIQUIDATION AND LIQUIDATED INSURERS:
Company Information. Effective June 1,
2006, the Second Judicial Circuit Court
in Leon County, Florida, entered orders
placing Atlantic Preferred Insurance
Company, Florida Preferred Property
Insurance Company, and Southern Family
Insurance Company in receivership for
purposes of liquidation. These companies
are members of the Poe Financial Group
and are referred to together as the “Poe
Insurers.” The Florida Department of
Financial Services is the
court-appointed Receiver of the Poe
Insurers. In liquidation, the Florida
Insurance Guaranty Association is
activated to help pay outstanding claims
of the Poe Insurers.
Atlantic Preferred Insurance Company:
Atlantic Preferred is a Florida
corporation that was formed in 1996 and
is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The
company is authorized to transact
business in the state of Florida as a
domestic property and casualty insurer.
Atlantic Preferred wrote homeowners
multi-peril, allied lines, and fire
insurance coverage. In March 2006,
Atlantic Preferred reported an impaired
financial condition on its annual
financial statement as of December 31,
2005. As a result of its financial
condition, the company ceased writing
new insurance policies and ceased
offering renewal policies on or about
March 5, 2006. Atlantic Preferred was
initially placed in receivership for
purposes of rehabilitation on May 1,
2006. As of June 1, 2006, Atlantic
Preferred had approximately 137,000
policies in force.
Florida Preferred Property Insurance
Company: Florida Preferred Property
is a Florida corporation that was formed
in 2002 and is headquartered in Tampa,
Florida. The company is authorized to
transact business in the state of
Florida as a domestic property and
casualty insurer. Florida Preferred
Property wrote homeowners multi-peril,
allied lines, and fire insurance
coverage. In May 2006, Florida Preferred
Property reported an impaired financial
condition on its quarterly financial
statement as of March 31, 2006. As of
June 1, 2006, Florida Preferred Property
had approximately 144,000 policies in
force.
Southern Family Insurance Company:
Southern Family is a Florida corporation
that was formed in 1996 and is
headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The
company is authorized to transact
business in the state of Florida as a
domestic property and casualty insurer.
Southern Family wrote homeowners
multi-peril, allied lines, and fire
insurance coverage. In March 2006,
Southern Family reported an impaired
financial condition on its annual
financial statement as of December 31,
2005. As a result of its financial
condition, the company ceased writing
new insurance policies and ceased
offering renewal policies on or about
March 5, 2006. Southern Family was
initially placed in receivership for
purposes of rehabilitation on April 25,
2006. As of June 1, 2006, Southern
Family had approximately 44,500 policies
in force (not including flood policies).
Liquidation Plan: In conjunction
with the Office of Insurance Regulation,
the Florida Insurance Guaranty
Association, and Citizens Property
Insurance Corporation, the Receiver
developed a plan to provide for an
orderly transition of eligible
policyholders from the Poe Insurers to
other insurers or to Citizens while
continuing to serve the interests of the
Poe Insurers’ creditors and the public.
This plan was submitted to and approved
by the Court on June 2, 2006. Under the
Liquidation Plan, eligible policyholders
will be automatically transitioned to
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
effective July 1, 2006 without the need
for a new application or additional
underwriting review. A copy of the
Liquidation Plan and additional
information regarding the Transition
Coverage provided by Citizens is
available on the Receiver’s website,
www.floridainsurancereceiver.org.
What is Rehabilitation?
Under Florida law and Court order, the
Department of Financial Services,
Division of Rehabilitation and
Liquidation serves as Receiver of
financially impaired insurance carriers.
The purpose of rehabilitation is to
ensure company assets are preserved and
policyholders are protected. Companies
may be rehabilitated if the company can
be reformed and revitalized. If the
company is not a candidate for
rehabilitation, the company may be
placed into liquidation.
What is Liquidation?
Liquidation is similar to bankruptcy.
When a company is liquidated, the
Receiver collects the assets of the
company and verifies the liabilities
such as claim payment and bills. The
Receiver then develops a plan to
distribute the company’s assets
according to law and submits the plan to
the Court for approval.
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For more
information, contact the Florida
Department of Financial Services at
1-800-882-3054.
Rehabilitation and Liquidation Website
http://www.floridainsurancereceiver.org |
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