Tens of thousands of Hillsborough households have opened this envelope in the past two years, and the SERP full of insurance-agency lead pages doesn’t answer the plain questions: do I have a choice, what happens if I ignore it, and can I go back? Here are the verified answers, sourced to Citizens’ own program pages and the statute, for homeowners across Florida’s 14th Congressional District.
What the Depopulation Packet Is
Citizens is Florida’s state-backed insurer of last resort, and “depopulation” is the state’s program for moving its policies back to the private market — the mechanism behind Citizens shrinking from 1.42 million policies at the October 2023 peak to 278,662 by June 2026, including more than 546,000 policies transferred in 2025 alone.
The packet lists every private-market offer for your policy, each company’s estimated renewal premium, and Citizens’ own estimated renewal premium for comparison. You register your choice through your agent or the myPolicy portal by the date printed on your Offer Form.
The 20% Rule — Stated Precisely
Under Florida law (s. 627.351(6), Florida Statutes): if any approved private insurer offers you comparable coverage at a premium no more than 20% higher than Citizens’ estimated renewal premium, you are no longer eligible to remain with Citizens. Note the direction — the offer can be more expensive than Citizens by up to 20% and you still lose eligibility. Only if every offer comes in more than 20% above Citizens’ estimate can you choose to stay.
If multiple companies qualify, you pick among them. And the default matters most: if you don’t register a choice by the deadline, Citizens assigns your policy to the company that offered the lowest estimated premium.
Three Things the Packet Doesn’t Make Obvious
- The numbers are estimates. Your real price is set at your first renewal with the new company using its state-approved rates — which can be higher than the packet’s figure. (One takeout carrier raised assumed-policy rates about 23% at the first renewal in an earlier round, per Sun-Sentinel reporting.)
- Your coverage terms carry over — at first. The assumed policy stays on Citizens’ policy forms through the end of the term; changes come at renewal.
- There is no undo. The old 30-day post-assumption return window no longer exists — once the transfer happens, it’s final. You can return to Citizens later only as a new applicant: broadly, if your takeout company’s renewal quote runs more than 20% above what Citizens would charge for comparable coverage, you can re-qualify under the same eligibility test.
The Hillsborough Reality
This isn’t abstract here: Hillsborough County saw the sharpest depopulation drop in the Tampa Bay area — Citizens policies fell 74% during 2025, from 42,607 to 11,060 (Citizens data reported by Axios Tampa Bay). The upside is a rebuilt private market — 20 new insurers and Citizens’ first rate cut since 2015 — and the honest downside is homeowners navigating forced choices between unfamiliar carriers with estimate-only pricing.
Where to get help: start with your insurance agent (the assuming insurer must keep your agent appointed or paid for at least the first year, by statute). For disputes or complaints, the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Consumer Services takes cases at 1-877-693-5236 or assistcon.myfloridacfo.gov; the Office of Insurance Regulation (floir.gov) approves takeout companies and their rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I ignore a Citizens takeout offer?
If you don’t register a choice by the date on your Offer Form, Citizens automatically assigns your policy to the private company that offered the lowest estimated premium. Doing nothing is a choice — the default one.
What is the Citizens 20% rule?
Under s. 627.351(6), Florida Statutes: if an approved private insurer offers comparable coverage at a premium no more than 20% higher than Citizens’ estimated renewal premium, the policyholder is no longer eligible to remain with Citizens. Only when every offer exceeds that threshold can the policyholder choose to stay.
Can I go back to Citizens after my policy is assumed?
Not automatically — the transfer is final and the old 30-day return window no longer exists. You can re-apply later as a new applicant, broadly when your takeout company’s renewal premium runs more than 20% above Citizens’ comparable premium.
Will my premium stay the same after a takeout?
The packet’s figures are estimates. Your policy keeps Citizens’ coverage forms through the end of the term, but your real premium is set at the first renewal using the new company’s state-approved rates, which can differ from the estimate.
Who can help if something goes wrong?
Your agent first — the assuming insurer must keep the agent of record appointed or compensated for at least the first year. For complaints, the DFS Division of Consumer Services (1-877-693-5236, assistcon.myfloridacfo.gov); for regulatory questions, the Office of Insurance Regulation.
Read the Offer Form Like It’s a Ballot
The deadline on that form decides who insures your house. Understand the market forces behind it, check what your escrow is actually paying for, and see where John Peters stands on insurance reform.