Direct Answer
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is a state-created, not-for-profit property insurer established by the Florida Legislature in 2002. It serves as Florida’s insurer of last resort, providing property insurance to eligible homeowners, businesses, condominium associations, and other property owners who cannot obtain suitable coverage through the private insurance market.
Citizens is not a private insurance company. It operates under Florida law and follows a state-approved plan of operation. Although policyholders pay premiums, Florida law also allows Citizens to levy assessments on many Florida policyholders if a severe storm or other covered losses create a deficit. Property owners should therefore understand both the coverage offered and the potential financial implications of obtaining a policy through Citizens.
Official source: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation — Who We Are.
Who This Applies To
- Florida commercial property owners
- Condominium associations and condominium building owners
- Homeowners associations (HOAs)
- Apartment building owners
- Commercial real estate investors and property managers
- Insurance agents and brokers
- Property owners preparing for insurance renewal
Not for: This guide explains Citizens’ role and insurance options generally. It does not determine whether a particular property qualifies for coverage or whether a specific loss is covered under an existing policy.
1. Why Was Citizens Created?
Citizens was established to help eligible Florida property owners obtain insurance when coverage is unavailable or unaffordable through the qualifying private insurance market.
Florida faces substantial property insurance risks from hurricanes, tropical storms, wind damage, and other weather-related events. When private insurers are unwilling or unable to provide eligible property owners with appropriate coverage, Citizens can serve as an alternative insurance option.
Citizens’ public purpose is to support access to property insurance while operating under the requirements established by the Florida Legislature.
Official source: Florida Statutes, Section 627.351 — Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
2. What Types of Properties Can Citizens Insure?
Citizens offers several types of property insurance, subject to eligibility requirements, underwriting guidelines, location, and available coverage.
| Property Type | Potential Citizens Coverage |
|---|---|
| Single-family homes | Eligible personal residential property coverage |
| Condominium associations | Commercial residential property coverage |
| Apartment buildings | Commercial residential property coverage |
| Homeowners associations | Eligible common property and residential building coverage |
| Commercial buildings | Commercial nonresidential property coverage |
| Eligible properties in designated areas | Wind-only coverage, where available and subject to eligibility |
Citizens’ commercial policies include coverage options for qualifying commercial residential and commercial nonresidential properties. Wind-only policies may be available in certain areas when the property’s eligibility requirements are met.
Official source: Citizens Commercial Policies.
3. What Is the Difference Between Commercial Residential and Commercial Nonresidential Coverage?
Citizens separates commercial coverage into categories based on the property’s use.
Commercial residential properties
These may include:
- Apartment buildings
- Condominium association properties
- Qualifying residential buildings owned by homeowners associations
- Eligible continuing-care retirement community residential buildings
Commercial nonresidential properties
These are commercially operated properties that are not primarily used for residential purposes. Examples may include eligible retail, office, industrial, and other commercial buildings.
The specific policy type and available coverage depend on the property, underwriting eligibility, and Citizens’ current guidelines.
Official source: Commercial Policy Types and Eligibility Information.
4. What Is a Citizens Wind-Only Policy?
A wind-only policy provides a more limited type of property insurance than a multiperil policy. Citizens identifies wind-only coverage as protection for damage caused by wind and hail storms, including hurricanes and tropical storms.
Wind-only coverage is not a substitute for every type of commercial property insurance. Property owners should confirm which causes of loss are covered and whether separate insurance is needed for other exposures.
Before purchasing or renewing a wind-only policy, confirm:
- Which buildings and property components are insured
- Whether the policy covers wind and hail only
- What deductibles apply
- Whether roof age or condition affects eligibility
- What inspection or documentation requirements apply
- Whether additional coverage is needed for other property risks
Official source: Citizens Commercial Wind-Only Policies.
5. How Does Citizens Evaluate Commercial Roof Condition?
For commercial property owners, the roof can be an important part of the underwriting process. Citizens may require documentation showing that a roof is in acceptable condition and meets the applicable eligibility requirements.
Depending on the property and policy type, roof-related documentation may include:
- A roof-condition inspection or certification
- Documentation prepared by an appropriately licensed roofing or general contractor
- Photographs of roof deficiencies and completed repairs
- Records of roof replacement or significant repairs
- Relevant permits and completion documentation
- Information about roof age and remaining useful life, when required
Owners should not assume that a roof inspection automatically guarantees coverage. Citizens makes underwriting decisions based on its applicable requirements, the inspection findings, and the overall risk.
Before arranging repairs, ask the insurance agent or broker which inspection form, contractor qualifications, and supporting records Citizens requires for the specific policy.
Official resources: Citizens Commercial Policies and Citizens Official Website.
6. What Happens If Citizens Identifies Roof Deficiencies?
If an underwriting inspection identifies a roof concern, the owner should first understand the specific deficiency and any deadline for correcting it.
Common findings may include:
- Open seams or damaged roof membranes
- Deteriorated flashing
- Roof leaks or evidence of water intrusion
- Blocked drains or drainage problems
- Roof deterioration associated with age or inadequate maintenance
- Damage that may affect the roof’s remaining useful life
A practical response includes:
- Obtain the complete inspection report.
- Document the location and extent of each deficiency.
- Have a qualified roofing professional assess the condition.
- Confirm the required corrective action with the insurance agent or broker.
- Complete the necessary repairs or replacement.
- Retain photographs, invoices, inspection reports, and relevant permits.
- Submit the required evidence and confirm whether underwriting has accepted it.
Correcting a roof deficiency does not guarantee that Citizens will approve or renew coverage. The final decision remains subject to the applicable underwriting requirements.
7. How Can a Commercial Property Owner Apply for Citizens Coverage?
Property owners should generally begin with a licensed insurance agent who can evaluate the property’s eligibility and help identify the appropriate Citizens policy.
The process may include:
- Providing the property address, occupancy, and building information.
- Identifying the required commercial residential or nonresidential policy type.
- Providing roof age, condition, and other underwriting information.
- Obtaining any required inspections and supporting documentation.
- Reviewing the proposed coverage, exclusions, deductibles, and premium.
- Confirming eligibility and completing the application process.
Eligibility is not automatic. Citizens’ requirements and the availability of coverage can change, so applicants should confirm current criteria with their agent.
Official resource: Citizens Commercial Policies and Eligibility Information.
8. What Should Owners Understand About Citizens’ Financial Structure?
Citizens is a state-created, not-for-profit government entity, rather than a conventional private insurance company. It receives premium payments from policyholders, but Florida law also provides for assessments on many Florida policyholders if Citizens experiences a deficit after catastrophic losses.
This structure is one reason property owners should consider more than the initial premium when evaluating their insurance options.
When comparing policies, review:
- Premium and available coverage
- Windstorm and other deductibles
- Covered and excluded causes of loss
- Roof-related underwriting requirements
- Policy limits and applicable sublimits
- Potential assessment exposure under Florida law
- The terms and conditions of alternative policies
Official source: Citizens — Mission, Funding, and Organizational Structure.
9. Where Can Property Owners Find Official Information?
Use Citizens’ official resources to review current policy types, eligibility information, and contact options.
- Commercial policies and coverage options
- About Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
- Citizens contact information
- Florida Statutes governing Citizens
Bottom Line
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is Florida’s state-created, not-for-profit insurer of last resort. It provides eligible residential and commercial property owners with an insurance option when suitable coverage cannot be obtained through the qualifying private insurance market.
For commercial property owners and condominium associations, understanding Citizens is particularly important when evaluating insurance availability, wind-only coverage, roof-condition requirements, and renewal readiness. Confirm the property’s eligibility, required documentation, and exact coverage terms with a licensed insurance agent before making insurance decisions.
Related Questions
- What Is a Commercial Roof Condition Report for Insurance Underwriting?
- What Should You Do When an Underwriting Inspection Flags Ponding Water?
- How Often Should Commercial Roofs Be Inspected in Florida?
Sources
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation — Who We Are
- Citizens — Commercial Policies
- Citizens — Governance
- Florida Statutes, Section 627.351
- Florida Department of Financial Services — Commercial Property Insurance Overview
Last reviewed: October 2026
Related Resources
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not insurance, legal, financial, engineering, underwriting, or coverage advice. Eligibility, policy terms, and documentation requirements vary. Confirm specific requirements with Citizens, your insurance agent or broker, and qualified roofing professionals.
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