Citizens Consumer Services Committee Meeting Report: April 30

On Wednesday, April 30, 2008, the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) Consumer Services Committee (“Committee”) held a meeting. To view the complete meeting agenda, which included an update from Citizens’ Consumer Communications Department (“Department”), click here.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carol Everhart with a quorum of members in attendance. Also in attendance were Steve Bitar from the Department and a representative from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

Mr. Bitar gave an update on the Department’s plan to introduce a policyholder e-mail system that would customize communications to policyholders using personalized policy-specific information.

As requested by Citizens’ Board of Governors, the Department has explored the possibility of capturing policyholder e-mail addresses during the application process. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2008, a consumer subscription service will be offered on Citizens’ Web site so that policyholders may receive e-mails regarding updates on their type of policy, local Citizens policyholder forums and other items of interest.

Customers who opt-in to the notifications will be asked to provide general geographic information and their policy type so that the notifications may be properly tailored to each recipient’s needs. Reaction to this opt-in notification system will be tested before commencing the information capture process on a larger scale.

Eventually, the Department would like to make the Citizens Web site a one-stop resource for all Citizens policyholder needs. The Web site would offer regular e-mail alerts and a log-in feature that would allow policyholders to pay bills and manage their accounts online.

A Committee member asked about the feasibility of eventually offering discounts for policyholders who choose to go paperless. Mr. Bitar replied that this suggestion definitely will be explored.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact this office.