You’ll need to prove to Citizens that your policy covers a “Primary Residence”.
If your home is not your “primary residence” you will face higher rate increases in the future.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has approved an increase in the capping factor on policies for non-primary residences.
This change will affect new and renewal Citizens policies effective on and after December 16, 2023.
What Is Considered a Primary Residence?
A primary residence is a dwelling that is the policyholder’s primary home and is occupied for more than nine months of the year.
This also applies to a leased rental property that is the primary home that the tenant occupies for more than nine months of each year.
What is not considered a Primary Residence?
The following properties would not be considered Primary residences by Citizens.
Any homes occupied for less than 9 months at a time such as:
- Seasonal homes
- Secondary homes
- Leased homes that are rented on a short-term basis like Airbnb properties.
What if my property is not a Primary Residence?
Policies that do not insure a primary residence will receive a higher capping factor at renewal.
Believe it or not, price increases on Citizens home insurance are capped to a certain percentage.
Those caps are lower for primary homes than homes not considered primary.
Also, it’s important to keep in mind that if you don’t respond, Citizens will assume you have a non-primary home.
Policies that are currently listed as insuring a primary residence but cannot be verified as a primary residence will be changed to non-primary residences at renewal and charged the rate applicable to non-primary residences.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
How do you prove Primary Residence?
1. Policy Affirmation Form
The policyholder must sign the Policyholder Affirmation Regarding Primary Residence (CIT PR01) form when changing from non-primary to primary.
The form must be printed from Citizens’ Agents website, signed by the policyholder (e-signature is acceptable), and uploaded with the acceptable proof of primary residency.
2. Proof of Primary Residency
One of the following must be submitted and are acceptable proof of primary residency:
- Homestead exemption
- Voter registration card
- Redacted Florida driver’s license*
- Redacted Florida identification card*
- Redacted military orders*
- Utility bills
- Vehicle registration
- Lease agreement executed within the last 12 months
Note: Agents must redact the personal information (e.g., driver’s license number, identification card number, military identification number) from the documents marked with an asterisk prior to uploading.
3. Submit Policy Change in PolicyCenter®
Create a policy change and submit the required documents with the form and proof of residency.
Note: If there has been a change in the occupancy and usage, coverage may need to be rewritten.
As always, Citizens must walk the line between generating enough premium while maintaining affordability.
One of their tools will be prioritize primary homes over non-primary ones.
It’s a pain in the neck, but a process that will help many homeowners in the long run.
As always, Cronin Insurance is here to help.
When in doubt, give us a shout.
We strive to be your Number 1 resource for insurance in Florida.
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Cronin Insurance is the Wise Choice.
