Louisiana UPC Policyholders Have 2 Weeks to Secure Private Home Insurance

The Louisiana Department of Insurance sent out a reminder this week that United Property & Casualty Insurance Company’s (UPC) former policyholders and their insurance agents have until April 28 to secure homeowners insurance in the private market or bind a Louisiana Citizens policy with retroactive coverage from Citizens back to the cancellation of their UPC policy by Florida effective March 29.

UPC policyholders who did not find a new homeowners policy before their UPC policy was canceled will be covered by Citizens for claims occurring between their cancellation date and the end of the extension period if an agent binds a Citizens policy by April 28.

UPC, a Florida insurer with about 30,000 Louisiana policies and 202,000 policies in five other states, was placed into liquidation by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and Florida judicial system on February 27 after its estimated losses from Hurricane Ian increased to $1.5 billion.

The LDI recommends former UPC policyholders do the following:

• Contact multiple agents, including both captive and independent agents, to obtain as many quotes as possible for a new policy.
• Ask an agent to contact Citizens for a quote if you are unable to find a policy in the private market.
• If you do get a Citizens policy, continue shopping around for a new policy as the LDI expects more insurers to begin writing this month following implementation of the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. If you cancel and rewrite your Citizens policy with a private company, Citizens will refund any unearned premium.
• If you have an open claim with UPC, that claim will likely be transferred to the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (LIGA) for adjusting and payment. LIGA can be reached at 225-277-7151.

Source: LDI

Topics Louisiana Homeowners