Florida’s Largest Insurer Scrambles to Justify Unpaid Hurricane Claims

Citizens Property Insurance is launching an independent audit into its rate of denying hurricane claims, pointing to the fallout from data showing high rates of unpaid hurricane claims first reported by NOTUS.

Hurricane Milton

Mike Carlson/AP

Florida’s state-backed insurer of last resort is trying to clear its name after months spent under a barrage of political scrutiny — and the looming question of whether the state will agree to new rate hikes.

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation announced this week it is launching an “independent audit” into hurricane claim denials after the company made no payment in 77% of closed Hurricane Debby claims as of mid-September, according to data Citizens presented to its board of governors at the time and first reported by NOTUS.

That rate has fallen slightly as more claims have been processed, landing at 74% this week, new data Citizens presented to its board this week show — still higher than the industry-wide rate of 68% of closed residential property claims receiving no payment.