Sun Sentinel House Keys Blog: Citizens’ hurricane discount inspections broadened to include roof and sinkhole inspections
Nov 4, 2010
The following article was posted to the Sun Sentinel House Keys blog on November 4, 2010:
Citizens’ hurricane discount inspections broadened to include roof and sinkhole inspections
By Julie Patel
Citizens Property Insurance inspectors will not only scour policyholders’ homes next year to see if they really qualify for the hurricane-proofing discounts they’re getting, but the inspectors will also check the age and condition of roofs and other parts of homes.
That could help the insurer argue some policyholders owe higher premiums.
Citizens, the largest property insurer in the state, told its agents in an email this week that six different types of inspections may be done next year, including checking if there are sinkholes or not and how mobile homes are secured. It will help the insurer determine how likely the property is to be damaged and how much policyholders should ultimately be charged in the next few years.
Three companies will manage state-backed Citizens’ inspection program and policyholders may also have the option of hiring inspectors through the program, according to the email. Questions were raised about the inspection management firms before the board approved them in a 4 to 2 vote.
Citizens will discuss the progress of inspections this year and plans for next year at a board meeting Monday.
Find this article at: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/business/realestate/housekeys/blog/2010/11/citizens_property_insurance_pl.html