Homeowners Choice Offers Flood Insurance in Florida

Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., a Florida based provider of homeowners insurance and wholly-owned insurance subsidiary of HCI Group, Inc., announced at a press conference it is the first admitted homeowners insurance carrier to provide flood insurance in the state of Florida since the advent of the Biggert-Waters Flood Reform Act of 2012.

To mark the milestone, Homeowners Choice’s executive chairman, Paresh Patel, signed the company’s first flood coverage policy. Homeowners Choice’s client is Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Chapman of Seminole, Florida. The Chapmans purchased the home in 2013 under the new laws; the family’s flood coverage in 2013 was approximately $9,700. Their 2014 premiums are scheduled to total $57,000. Homeowners Choice is issuing the policy for a total of $9,693, which includes both homeowners and flood coverage.

Many Florida residents have seen a substantial increase in their flood insurance premiums as a result of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2012. In December 2013, Homeowners Choice was approved by regulators to add an endorsement to its policies to include flood coverage. The carrier’s established rate for flood coverage is expected to be similar to the rates being offered prior to the new laws. New and preexisting Homeowners Choice customers are eligible to receive flood coverage. However, customers must hold a homeowners insurance policy with the company.

“Our policyholders were our top priority as we made the decision to offer flood insurance,” said Paresh Patel, Homeowners Choice’s executive chairman. “We want to try to help our customers who were hit hardest by hefty rate increases under the National Flood Insurance Program.”

Homeowners Choice has launched a Flood Hotline (844) HC-FLOOD or (844) 423-5663 where it will field questions from current and potential customers. The company will also answer questions on its website www.HCFLOOD.com.

Source: Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc.