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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC

For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 28, 2025.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2024 · Filed Feb 28, 2025

UVE$46.75-1.4%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Risk Factors?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-K

Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-02-28.

0000891166-24-000013

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Current report: 10-K

Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-02-28.

0000891166-25-000025

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 116 previous paragraphs and 115 current paragraphs.

96 unchanged; 19 reworded; 0 added; 1 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 1 previous and 1 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Removed paragraphs (1)

Previous report

Additionally, technological changes also present competitive risks. For example, our competitive position could be impacted if we are unable to deploy, in a cost effective and competitive manner, technology such as AI and machine learning that collects and analyzes a wide variety of data points (so-called “big data” analysis) to make underwriting or other decisions, or if our competitors collect and use data which we do not have the ability to access or use. In addition, innovations, such as telematics and other usage-based methods of determining premiums, can impact product design and pricing and are becoming an increasingly important competitive factor.
Reworded paragraphs (19)

Previous wording

As a property and casualty insurer, we may face significant losses, and our financial results may vary from period to period, due to exposure to catastrophic events and severe weather conditions, the frequency and severity of which could be affected by climate change.

Current wording

As a property and casualty insurer, we may face significant losses, and our financial results may vary from period to period, due to exposure to catastrophic events and severe weather conditions, the frequency and severity of which are affected by climate change.

Previous wording

Longer-term weather trends may be changing, and new types of catastrophe losses may be developing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with greenhouse gases and extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, including effects on global weather patterns, sea, land and air temperature, sea levels, rain, and snow. To the extent the frequency or severity of weather events is exacerbated due to climate change, we may experience increases in catastrophe losses in both coastal and non-coastal areas. This may cause an increase in claims-related and/or reinsurance costs or may negatively affect our ability to provide homeowners insurance to our policyholders in the future. In addition, increased catastrophic events could result in increased credit exposure to the reinsurers with which we transact business. Our actual losses from catastrophic events might exceed levels protected against by the Insurance Entities’ respective reinsurance programs or might be larger than anticipated if one or more of our reinsurers fail to meet their obligations. In general, climate change may affect the occurrence of certain natural events, such as increasing the frequency or severity of wind, tornado, hailstorm, and thunderstorm events due to increased convection in the atmosphere. There could also be more frequent wildfires in certain geographies, more flooding, and the potential for increased severity of hurricanes due to higher sea surface temperatures. As a result, incurred losses from such events and the demand, price and availability of reinsurance coverages for homeowners insurance may be affected.

Current wording

Longer-term weather trends are changing, and new types of catastrophe losses are developing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with greenhouse gases and extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, including effects on global weather patterns, sea, land and air temperature, sea levels, rain, and snow. To the extent the frequency or severity of weather events is exacerbated due to climate change, we may experience increases in catastrophe losses in both coastal and non-coastal areas. This may cause an increase in claims-related and/or reinsurance costs or may negatively affect our ability to provide homeowners insurance to our policyholders in the future. In addition, increased catastrophic events could result in increased credit exposure to the reinsurers with which we transact business. Our actual losses from catastrophic events might exceed levels protected against by the Insurance Entities’ respective reinsurance programs or might be larger than anticipated if one or more of our reinsurers fail to meet their obligations. In general, climate change may affect the occurrence of certain natural events, such as increasing the frequency or severity of wind, tornado, hailstorm, and thunderstorm events due to increased convection in the atmosphere. There could also be more frequent wildfires in certain geographies, more flooding, and the potential for increased severity of hurricanes due to higher sea surface temperatures. As a result, incurred losses from such events and the demand, price and availability of reinsurance coverages for homeowners insurance may be affected.

Previous wording

The loss estimates developed by the models we use are dependent upon assumptions or scenarios incorporated by a third-party developer and by us. When these assumptions or scenarios do not reflect the characteristics of catastrophic events that affect areas covered by our policies or the resulting economic conditions, then we become exposed to losses not covered by our reinsurance program, which could adversely affect our financial condition, profitability, and results of operations. Further, although we use widely recognized and commercially available models to estimate our exposure to loss and LAE from hurricanes and certain other catastrophes, other models exist that might produce a wider or more narrow range of loss estimates, or loss estimates from perils considered less significant to our insured risks, such as wildfires. See “—We rely on models as a tool to evaluate risk, and those models are inherently uncertain and may not accurately predict existing or future losses.” Despite our catastrophe management programs, we retain material exposure to catastrophic events. Additionally, the models themselves produce a range of results and associated probabilities of occurrence from which we can assess risks of exposure to catastrophic loss. Extreme catastrophe scenarios exist within the modeling results that may also have a material adverse effect on our results of operations during any reporting period due to increases in our losses and LAE. Our liquidity could also be constrained by a catastrophe, or multiple catastrophes, which could have a negative impact on our business. Catastrophes have eroded and in the future may erode our statutory surplus or ability to obtain adequate reinsurance which could negatively affect our ability to write new or renewal business. Catastrophic claim severity is impacted by the effects of inflation and increases in insured value and factors such as the overall claims, legal and litigation environments in affected areas, in addition to the geographic concentration of insured property.

Current wording

The loss estimates developed by the models we use are dependent upon assumptions or scenarios incorporated by a third-party developer and by us. When these assumptions or scenarios do not reflect the characteristics of catastrophic events that affect areas covered by our policies or the resulting economic conditions, then we become exposed to losses not covered by our reinsurance program, which could adversely affect our financial condition, profitability, and results of operations. Further, although we use widely recognized and commercially available models to estimate our exposure to loss and LAE from hurricanes and certain other catastrophes, other models exist that might produce a wider or more narrow range of loss estimates, or loss estimates from perils considered less significant to our insured risks, such as wildfires. See “—We rely on models as a tool to evaluate risk, and those models are inherently uncertain and may not accurately predict existing or future losses.” Despite our catastrophe management programs, we retain material exposure to catastrophic events. Additionally, the models themselves produce a range of results and associated probabilities of occurrence from which we can assess risks of exposure to catastrophic loss. Extreme catastrophe scenarios exist within the modeling results that may also have a material adverse effect on our results of operations during any reporting period due to increases in our losses and LAE. Our liquidity could also be constrained by a catastrophe, or multiple catastrophes, which could have a negative impact on our business. Catastrophes have eroded and in the future may erode our statutory surplus or ability to obtain adequate reinsurance which could negatively affect our ability to write new or renewal business. Catastrophic claim severity is impacted by the effects of continued, high levels of inflation and increases in insured value and factors such as the overall claims, legal and litigation environments in affected areas, in addition to the geographic concentration of insured property.

Previous wording

We maintain loss reserves to cover our estimated ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE for reported and unreported claims as of the end of each accounting period. The reserve for losses and LAE is reported net of receivables for subrogation. Recorded claim reserves in the property and casualty business are based on our best estimates of what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost, both reported and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). These estimates, which generally involve actuarial projections, are based on management’s assessment of known facts and circumstances, including our experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims and contractual terms. External factors are also considered, which include but are not limited to changes in the law, court decisions, changes to regulatory requirements, economic conditions including inflation as experienced in recent years, and consumer behavior. Many of these factors are not quantifiable and are subject to change over time. The current Florida homeowners’ insurance market is adversely impacted by changes in claimant behaviors resulting in losses and LAE exceeding historical trends, amounts experienced in other states, and amounts we previously estimated. The increases in losses and LAE are attributable to the active solicitation of claims activity by policyholder representatives, high levels of represented claims compared to historical patterns or patterns seen in other states, and a proliferation of inflated claims filed by policyholder representatives and vendors. These trends are facilitated by Florida’s legal climate, including the threat of one-way attorneys’ fees against insurers pursuant to a statute that existed prior to December 16, 2022, and the relatively high cost of defending against inflated claims in relation to amounts in dispute. Some of the law changes apply only to policies with effective dates after December 16, 2022, resulting in an extended period during which our losses and LAE will continue to be influenced by pre-reform laws and market conditions.

Current wording

We maintain loss reserves to cover our estimated ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE for reported and unreported claims as of the end of each accounting period. The reserve for losses and LAE is reported net of receivables for subrogation. Recorded claim reserves in the property and casualty business and amounts recoverable through subrogation are based on our best estimates of what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost, both reported and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). These estimates, which generally involve actuarial projections, are based on management’s assessment of known facts and circumstances, including our experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims and contractual terms. External factors are also considered, which include but are not limited to changes in the law, court decisions, changes to regulatory requirements, economic conditions including inflation as experienced in recent years, and consumer behavior. Many of these factors are not quantifiable and are subject to change over time. The current Florida homeowners’ insurance market is adversely impacted by changes in claimant behaviors resulting in losses and LAE exceeding historical trends, amounts experienced in other states, and amounts we previously estimated. The increases in losses and LAE are attributable to the active solicitation of claims activity by policyholder representatives, high levels of represented claims compared to historical patterns or patterns seen in other states, and a proliferation of inflated claims filed by policyholder representatives and vendors. These trends are facilitated by Florida’s legal climate, including the threat of one-way attorneys’ fees against insurers pursuant to a statute that existed prior to December 16, 2022, and the relatively high cost of defending against inflated claims in relation to amounts in dispute. Some of the law changes apply only to policies with effective dates after December 16, 2022, resulting in an extended period during which our losses and LAE will continue to be influenced by pre-reform laws and market conditions.

Previous wording

Subrogation is a significant component of our total net reserves for losses and LAE. Since 2016, we have significantly increased our efforts to pursue subrogation against third parties responsible for property damage losses to our insureds. More recently, changes in Florida’s claims environment and legal climate have reduced the effectiveness of our efforts to properly apportion losses through subrogation. Responsible parties are increasingly using delays and defensive tactics to avoid subrogation and increase its costs, which in turn decreases its effectiveness. Our ability to recover recorded amounts remains subject to significant uncertainty, including risks inherent in litigation, collectability of the recorded amounts and potential law changes or judicial decisions that can hinder or reduce the effectiveness of subrogation.

Current wording

Subrogation is a significant component of our total net reserves for losses and LAE and our estimates of potential subrogation recoveries are revised as part of the actuarial review which includes changes to trends impacting the actuarial and reserve setting process. Since 2016, we have significantly increased our efforts to pursue subrogation against third parties responsible for property damage losses to our insureds. More recently, changes in Florida’s claims environment and legal climate have reduced the effectiveness of our efforts to properly apportion losses through subrogation. Responsible parties are increasingly using delays and defensive tactics to avoid subrogation and increase its costs, which in turn decreases its effectiveness. Our ability to recover recorded amounts remains subject to significant uncertainty, including risks inherent in litigation, collectability of the recorded amounts and potential law changes or judicial decisions that can hinder or reduce the effectiveness of subrogation.

Previous wording

•our ability to stay competitive as evolving competitive technologies emerge such as artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning to make pricing, underwriting, or other decisions;

Current wording

•our ability to stay competitive as evolving technologies emerge such as artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning to make pricing, underwriting, or other decisions;

Previous wording

Changes in the severity or frequency of claims affect our profitability. Changes in homeowners’ claim severity can be and have been driven by inflation in the construction industry, in building materials, and in home furnishings, as well as by other economic and environmental factors, including increased demand for services and supplies in areas affected by catastrophes, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and prevailing attitudes towards insurers and the claims process, including increases in the number of litigated claims or claims involving representation as well as continuing efforts by policyholder representatives to seek larger settlements on pre-reform claims in recognition that the elimination of the statutory right to attorneys’ fees and other law changes will apply to future claims. However, changes in the level of the severity of claims are not limited to the effects of inflation and demand surge in these various sectors of the economy or to Florida’s disproportionately high incidence of represented claims. Increases in claim severity can also arise from unexpected events that are inherently difficult to predict. In addition, significant long-term increases in claim frequency also have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Further, the level of claim frequency we experience varies from period to period, and from region to region. Claim frequency can be influenced by natural conditions such as the number and types of severe weather events affecting areas where we write policies as well as by factors such as the prevalence of solicited and represented claims, including efforts by policyholder representatives to encourage claims activity related to policy periods predating law changes. Although we pursue various loss management initiatives in order to mitigate future increases in claim severity and frequency, there can be no assurances that these initiatives will successfully identify or reduce the effect of future increases in claim severity and frequency.

Current wording

Changes in the severity or frequency of claims affect our profitability. Changes in homeowners’ claim severity can be and have been driven by inflation in the construction industry, in building materials, and in home furnishings, as well as by other economic and environmental factors, including increased demand for services and supplies in areas affected by catastrophes, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and prevailing attitudes towards insurers and the claims process, including the prevalence of litigated claims or claims involving representation as well as continuing efforts by policyholder representatives to seek larger settlements on pre-reform claims in recognition that the elimination of the statutory right to attorneys’ fees and other law changes will apply to future claims. However, changes in the level of the severity of claims are not limited to the effects of inflation and demand surge in these various sectors of the economy or to Florida’s disproportionately high incidence of represented claims. Increases in claim severity can also arise from unexpected events that are inherently difficult to predict. In addition, significant long-term increases in claim frequency also have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Further, the level of claim frequency we experience varies from period to period, and from region to region. Claim frequency can be influenced by natural conditions such as the number and types of severe weather events affecting areas where we write policies as well as by factors such as the prevalence of solicited and represented claims, including efforts by policyholder representatives to encourage claims activity related to policy periods predating law changes. Although we pursue various loss management initiatives in order to mitigate future increases in claim severity and frequency, there can be no assurances that these initiatives will successfully identify or reduce the effect of future increases in claim severity and frequency.

Previous wording

We currently market our policies to a broad range of prospective policyholders through approximately 4,000 independent insurance agents in Florida as well as approximately 5,900 independent insurance agents outside of Florida. As a result, our business depends on the marketing efforts of these independent agents and on our ability to offer products and services that meet their and their customers’ requirements. These independent insurance agents maintain the primary customer relationship. Independent agents typically represent other insurance companies in addition to representing us, and such agents are not obligated to sell or promote our products. Other insurance companies may pay higher commissions than we do, provide services to the agents that we do not provide, or may be more attractive to the agents than we are. In Florida the statutorily-created residual market currently offers policies at premium levels that in many areas and for most coverage types are lower than premiums the Insurance Entities charge, which are subject to regulatory review, governed by actuarial standards, and cannot be inadequate, excessive, or unfairly discriminatory. We cannot provide assurance that we will retain our current relationships, or be able to establish new relationships, with independent agents. The loss of these marketing relationships could adversely affect our ability to attract new agents, retain our agency network, or write new or renewal insurance policies, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Current wording

We currently market our policies to a broad range of prospective policyholders through approximately 4,000 independent insurance agents in Florida as well as approximately 5,600 independent insurance agents outside of Florida. As a result, our business depends on the marketing efforts of these independent agents and on our ability to offer products and services that meet their and their customers’ requirements. These independent insurance agents maintain the primary customer relationship. Independent agents typically represent other insurance companies in addition to representing us, and such agents are not obligated to sell or promote our products. Other insurance companies may pay higher commissions than we do, provide services to the agents that we do not provide, or may be more attractive to the agents than we are. In Florida the statutorily-created residual market currently offers policies at premium levels that in many areas and for most coverage types are lower than premiums the Insurance Entities charge, which are subject to regulatory review, governed by actuarial standards, and cannot be inadequate, excessive, or unfairly discriminatory. We cannot provide assurance that we will retain our current relationships, or be able to establish new relationships, with independent agents. The loss of these marketing relationships could adversely affect our ability to attract new agents, retain our agency network, or write new or renewal insurance policies, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Previous wording

Our reinsurance program is designed to mitigate our exposure to catastrophes. Market conditions and public policy decisions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance we purchase, the ability of the FHCF to reimburse insurers at levels contemplated by their reimbursement contracts, and the expiration of time-limited governmental programs such as RAP. No assurances can be made that reinsurance will remain continuously available to us to the same extent and on the same or similar terms and rates as are currently available. In addition, our ability to afford reinsurance to reduce our catastrophe risk may be dependent upon our ability to adequately and timely adjust premium rates for our costs, and there are no assurances that the terms and rates for our current reinsurance program will continue to be available next year or that we will be able to adjust our premiums. The Insurance Entities are responsible for losses related to catastrophic events with incurred losses in excess of coverage provided by our reinsurance program and the FHCF, and for losses that otherwise are not covered by the reinsurance program. If we are unable to maintain our current level of reinsurance or purchase new reinsurance protection in amounts that we consider sufficient and at prices and terms that we consider acceptable, we would have to either accept an increase in our exposure risk, reduce our insurance writings, seek rate adjustments at levels that might not be approved or might adversely affect policy retention, or develop or seek other alternatives, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.

Current wording

Our reinsurance program is designed to mitigate our exposure to catastrophes. Market conditions and public policy decisions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance we purchase, the ability of the FHCF to reimburse insurers at levels contemplated by their reimbursement contracts, and the expiration of time-limited governmental programs such as RAP, which expired on May 31, 2024. No assurances can be made that reinsurance will remain continuously available to us to the same extent and on the same or similar terms and rates as are currently available. In addition, our ability to afford reinsurance to reduce our catastrophe risk may be dependent upon our ability to adequately and timely adjust premium rates for our costs, and there are no assurances that the terms and rates for our current reinsurance program will continue to be available next year or that we will be able to adjust our premiums. The Insurance Entities are responsible for losses related to catastrophic events with incurred losses in excess of coverage provided by our reinsurance program and the FHCF, and for losses that otherwise are not covered by the reinsurance program. If we are unable to maintain our current level of reinsurance or purchase new reinsurance protection in amounts that we consider sufficient and at prices and terms that we consider acceptable, we would have to either accept an increase in our exposure risk, reduce our insurance writings, seek rate adjustments at levels that might not be approved or might adversely affect policy retention, or develop or seek other alternatives, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.

Previous wording

From time to time, we are subject to civil or administrative actions and litigation. This is especially the case in Florida, where insurance companies, including the Insurance Entities, have experienced high rates of first-party litigation due largely to the state’s one-way attorneys’ fee statute and resulting institutionalization of a litigation-oriented climate and to the ability of vendors to take assignments of policyholders’ post-loss claims benefits. Although we strive to pay meritorious claims in a fair and prompt manner, civil litigation can result when we do not pay insurance claims in the amounts or at the times demanded by policyholders or their representatives or assignees. We also are subject to litigation or administrative actions arising from the conduct of our business and the regulatory authority of state insurance departments or other agencies having oversight or enforcement authority over the various aspects of our business. Further, we are subject to other types of litigation inherent in operating our businesses, employing personnel, contracting with vendors and otherwise carrying out our affairs. As industry practices and legal, judicial, social, and other environmental conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverage have arisen and may in the future arise, including judicial expansion of policy coverage and the impact of new theories of liability, plaintiffs targeting property and casualty insurers in purported class-action litigation or other forms of litigation relating to claims-handling, and other practices, and adverse changes in loss cost trends, including inflationary pressures in home repair costs or other legal or regulatory conditions incentivizing increases in disputed or litigated claims. Multiparty or class action claims and similar types of actions, especially when incentivized by potential recoveries by representative plaintiffs and their attorneys, present additional exposure to substantial economic, non-economic, or punitive damage awards. This exposure, and the costs of protracted litigation, can result in decisions to settle litigation notwithstanding our belief that meritorious defenses exist or that we ultimately would prevail at trial or on appeal. Litigation or regulatory matters have negatively affected and may in the future negatively affect us by resulting in the payment of substantial awards or settlements, increasing legal and compliance costs, requiring us to change certain aspects of our business operations, diverting management attention from other business issues, harming our reputation with agents, customers, reinsurers, creditors, regulators or others, or making it more difficult to retain current customers and to recruit and retain employees or agents.

Current wording

From time to time, we are subject to civil or administrative actions and litigation. This is especially the case in Florida, where insurance companies, including the Insurance Entities, have experienced high rates of first-party litigation due largely to the state’s prior one-way attorneys’ fee statute and resulting institutionalization of a litigation-oriented climate and to the ability of vendors to take assignments of policyholders’ post-loss claims benefits. Although we strive to pay meritorious claims in a fair and prompt manner, civil litigation can result when we do not pay insurance claims in the amounts or at the times demanded by policyholders or their representatives or assignees. We also are subject to litigation or administrative actions arising from the conduct of our business and the regulatory authority of state insurance departments or other agencies having oversight or enforcement authority over the various aspects of our business. Further, we are subject to other types of litigation inherent in operating our businesses, employing personnel, contracting with vendors and otherwise carrying out our affairs. As industry practices and legal, judicial, social, and other environmental conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverage have arisen and may in the future arise, including judicial expansion of policy coverage and the impact of new theories of liability, plaintiffs targeting property and casualty insurers in purported class-action litigation or other forms of litigation relating to claims-handling, and other practices, and adverse changes in loss cost trends, including inflationary pressures in home repair costs or other legal or regulatory conditions incentivizing increases in disputed or litigated claims. Multiparty or class action claims and similar types of actions, especially when incentivized by potential recoveries by representative plaintiffs and their attorneys, present additional exposure to substantial economic, non-economic, or punitive damage awards. This exposure, and the costs of protracted litigation, can result in decisions to settle litigation notwithstanding our belief that meritorious defenses exist or that we ultimately would prevail at trial or on appeal. Litigation or regulatory matters have negatively affected and may in the future negatively affect us by resulting in the payment of substantial awards or settlements, increasing legal and compliance costs, requiring us to change certain aspects of our business operations, diverting management attention from other business issues, harming our reputation with agents, customers, reinsurers, creditors, regulators or others, or making it more difficult to retain current customers and to recruit and retain employees or agents.

Previous wording

The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive. We compete against large national carriers that have greater capital resources and longer operating histories, regional carriers, and managing general agencies, as well as newly formed and less-capitalized companies that might have more aggressive underwriting or pricing strategies. Many of these entities may also be affiliated with other entities that have greater financial and other resources than we have. When competitors attempt to increase market share by lowering rates, we can experience reductions in our underwriting margins, or a decline in sales of our insurance policies as customers purchase lower-priced products from our competitors. Competitors also might adopt more prompt or more effective solutions to adverse market conditions than we are able to implement, providing those competitors with a competitive advantage through lower losses and loss adjustment expenses, more competitive premium levels, or the ability to expand their businesses. Additionally, due to statutorily-imposed limits on rate increases, Florida’s residual property insurance market, Citizens, often charges lower premiums in hard insurance markets than what the Insurance Entities are able to charge in accordance with applicable regulatory filings, actuarial standards and prudent financial management. In hard markets such as the current Florida market, insurance agents and their customers therefore increasingly choose Citizens over private market insurers like the Insurance Entities for their residential property insurance coverage. Additionally, some law changes intended to alleviate abuses in the property insurance market are interpreted as applying only prospectively to policies issued or renewed after the new laws’ effective dates, potentially creating competitive advantages for insurers that enter markets or expand writings after the laws’ effective dates as compared to insurers like the Insurance Entities, which continue to have certain policy and claims servicing obligations on previously issued policies.

Current wording

The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive. We compete against large national carriers that have greater capital resources and longer operating histories, regional carriers, and managing general agencies, as well as newly formed and less-capitalized companies that might have more aggressive underwriting or pricing strategies. Many of these entities may also be affiliated with other entities that have greater financial and other resources than we have. When competitors attempt to increase market share by lowering rates, we can experience reductions in our underwriting margins, or a decline in sales of our insurance policies as customers purchase lower-priced products from our competitors. Competitors also might adopt more prompt or more effective solutions to adverse market conditions than we are able to implement, providing those competitors with a competitive advantage through lower losses and loss adjustment expenses, more competitive premium levels, or the ability to expand their businesses. Additionally, due to statutorily-imposed limits on rate increases, Florida’s residual property insurance market, Citizens, often charges lower premiums in hard insurance markets than what the Insurance Entities are able to charge in accordance with applicable regulatory filings, actuarial standards and prudent financial management. In hard markets such as the current Florida market, insurance agents and their customers therefore commonly choose Citizens over private market insurers like the Insurance Entities for their residential property insurance coverage. Additionally, some law changes intended to alleviate abuses in the property insurance market are interpreted as applying only prospectively to policies issued or renewed after the new laws’ effective dates, potentially creating competitive advantages for insurers that enter markets or expand writings after the laws’ effective dates as compared to insurers like the Insurance Entities, which continue to have certain policy and claims servicing obligations on previously issued policies.

Previous wording

Our computer systems are vulnerable to unauthorized access and hackers, computer viruses and other scenarios in which our data may be exposed or compromised. Cyberattacks can originate from a variety of sources, including third parties who are affiliated with foreign governments or employees acting negligently or in a manner adverse to our interests. Third parties may seek to gain access to our systems either directly or using equipment or security passwords belonging to employees, customers, third-party service providers, or other users of our systems. Our systems also may inadvertently expose, through a computer programming error or otherwise, confidential information as well as that of our customers and third parties with whom we interact.

Current wording

Our computer systems are vulnerable to unauthorized access and hackers, computer viruses and other scenarios in which our data may be exposed or compromised. Cyberattacks can originate from a variety of sources, including third parties who are affiliated with foreign governments or employees acting negligently or in a manner adverse to our interests. Third parties may seek to gain access to our systems either directly or using equipment or security passwords belonging to employees, customers, third-party service providers, or other users of our systems. These threat actors have grown increasingly sophisticated, and have begun using tools like AI to facilitate cyberattacks, leaving us increasingly vulnerable to these kinds of attacks. Our systems also may inadvertently expose, through a computer programming error or otherwise, confidential information as well as that of our customers and third parties with whom we interact.

Previous wording

Our computer systems have been, and likely will continue to be, subject to cyber hacking activities, computer viruses, other malicious codes, or other computer-related penetrations. This is especially the case as the number of our employees working remotely has increased. We commit significant resources to administrative and technical controls to prevent cyber incidents and protect our information technology, but our preventative actions to reduce the risk of cyber threats may be insufficient to prevent physical and electronic break-ins and other cyberattacks or security breaches, including those due to human vulnerabilities. Any such event could damage our computers or systems; compromise our confidential information as well as that of our customers and third parties with whom we interact; significantly impede or interrupt business operations, including denial of service on our website; and could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or to our policyholders, loss of confidence in our security measures, customer dissatisfaction, significant litigation exposure and reputational harm, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us. We expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities, exposures, or information security events. Due to the complexity and interconnectedness of our systems, the process of enhancing our protective measures can itself create a risk of systems disruptions and security issues.

Current wording

Our computer systems have been, and likely will continue to be, subject to cyber hacking activities, computer viruses, other malicious codes, or other computer-related penetrations. This is especially the case as the number of our employees working remotely has increased. We commit significant resources to administrative and technical controls to prevent cyber incidents and protect our information technology, but our preventative actions to reduce the risk of cyber threats may be insufficient to prevent physical and electronic break-ins and other cyberattacks or security breaches, including those due to human vulnerabilities. Any such event could damage our computers or systems; compromise our confidential information as well as that of our customers and third parties with whom we interact; significantly impede or interrupt business operations, including denial of service on our website; and could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or to our policyholders, loss of confidence in our security measures, customer dissatisfaction, significant litigation exposure and reputational harm, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us. We expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures and to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities, exposures, and information security events. Due to the complexity and interconnectedness of our systems, the process of enhancing our protective measures can itself create a risk of systems disruptions and security issues.

Previous wording

The increase in the use of cloud technologies and in consumer preference for online transactions can heighten these and other operational risks. Certain aspects of the security of such technologies are unpredictable or beyond our control, and this lack of transparency may inhibit our ability to discover a failure by cloud service providers to adequately safeguard their systems and prevent cyberattacks that could disrupt our operations and result in misappropriation, corruption or loss of confidential and other information. In addition, there is a risk that encryption and other protective measures, despite their sophistication, may be defeated, particularly to the extent that new computing technologies vastly increase the speed and computing power available.

Current wording

The increase in the use of cloud technologies and in consumer preference for online transactions can heighten these and other operational risks. Certain aspects of the security of such technologies are unpredictable or beyond our control, and this lack of transparency may inhibit our ability to discover a failure by cloud service providers to adequately safeguard their systems and prevent cyberattacks that could disrupt our operations and result in misappropriation, corruption or loss of confidential and other information. In addition, there is a risk that encryption and other protective measures, despite their sophistication, may be defeated, particularly to the extent that new computing technologies vastly increase the speed and computing power available. Further, the interconnectedness of our technology platforms and those of direct or indirect third-party providers could result in disruptions to our service due to malfunctions of or errors in third-parties’ software or systems that are beyond our control.

Previous wording

We may not be able to effectively implement or adapt to changes in technology, particularly with respect to artificial intelligence, which may result in interruptions to our business or even in a competitive disadvantage.

Current wording

We may not be able to effectively implement or adapt to changes in technology, particularly with respect to AI, which may result in interruptions to our business or even in a competitive disadvantage.

Previous wording

Developments in technology are affecting the insurance business. For example, insurance companies are beginning to use artificial intelligence in a number of applications, including risk assessment, claims processing, customer service, fraud detection, and predictive analytics and modeling. We believe that the development and implementation of new technologies will require additional investment of our capital resources in the future, and it is possible that we may not be able to effectively implement or adapt to new technologies. We have not determined the amount of resources and the time that this development and implementation may require, which may result in short-term, unexpected interruptions to our business, or may result in a competitive disadvantage in price and/or efficiency, as we endeavor to develop or implement new technologies. In addition, changes in technology typically outpace corresponding regulations, which may lead to periods of uncertainty in the permissible uses of certain technology and to differences or even inconsistencies in the regulatory approaches across jurisdictions. The absence of regulations or conflicts in regulations may further limit our ability to implement new technology in an effective and timely manner.

Current wording

Developments in technology are affecting the insurance business. For example, insurance companies are beginning to use AI in a number of applications, including risk assessment, claims processing, customer service, fraud detection, and predictive analytics and modeling. We believe that the development and implementation of new technologies will require additional investment of our capital resources in the future, and it is possible that we may not be able to effectively implement or adapt to new technologies. We have not determined the amount of resources and the time that this development and implementation may require, which may result in short-term, unexpected interruptions to our business, as we endeavor to develop or implement new technologies. There is a risk that our competitors may utilize these technologies more effectively than us, which may result in a competitive disadvantage in price and/or efficiency. In addition, changes in technology typically outpace corresponding regulations, which may lead to periods of uncertainty in the permissible uses of certain technology and to differences or even inconsistencies in the regulatory approaches across jurisdictions. The absence of regulations or conflicts in regulations may further limit our ability to implement new technology in an effective and timely manner.

Previous wording

The laws and regulations affecting the insurance industry are complex and subject to change. Compliance with these laws and regulations may increase the costs of running our business and may even slow our ability to respond effectively and quickly to operational opportunities. Moreover, these laws and regulations are administered and enforced by a number of different governmental authorities, including state insurance regulators, the U.S. Department of Justice, and state attorneys general, each of which exercises a degree of interpretive latitude. In addition, there is risk that any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may change over time to our detriment, or that changes in the overall legal environment may cause us to change our views regarding the actions we need to take from a legal risk management perspective, thus necessitating changes to our practices that may, in some cases, limit our ability to grow and achieve or improve the profitability of our business. We also have been affected by, and in the future may continue to be affected by, decisions or inaction by state legislatures that result in the continuation or worsening of adverse market conditions. Furthermore, in some cases, laws and regulations are designed to protect or benefit the interests of a specific constituency rather than a range of constituencies. For example, state insurance laws and regulations are generally intended to protect or benefit purchasers or users of insurance products, and not shareholders of insurance companies. In many respects, these laws and regulations limit our ability to grow and improve the profitability of our business or effectively respond to changing market conditions, and may place constraints on our ability to meet our revenue and net profit goals.

Current wording

The laws and regulations affecting the insurance industry are complex and subject to change. Compliance with these laws and regulations may increase the costs of running our business and may even slow our ability to respond effectively and quickly to operational opportunities. Moreover, these laws and regulations are administered and enforced by a number of different governmental authorities, including state insurance regulators, the U.S. Department of Justice, and state attorneys general, each of which exercises a degree of interpretive latitude. In addition, there is risk that any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may change over time to our detriment, or that changes in the overall legal environment may cause us to change our views regarding the actions we need to take from a legal risk management perspective, thus necessitating changes to our practices that may, in some cases, limit our ability to grow and achieve or improve the profitability of our business. We also have been affected by, and in the future may continue to be affected by, decisions or inaction by state legislatures that result in the continuation or worsening of adverse market conditions. Furthermore, in some cases, laws and regulations are designed to protect or benefit the interests of a specific constituency rather than a range of constituencies. For example, state insurance laws and regulations are generally intended to protect or benefit purchasers or users of insurance products, and not shareholders of insurance companies. These laws and regulations, particularly, but not limited to, those at the federal level, may be impacted by the change in the U.S. Presidential administration in 2025. In many respects, these laws and regulations limit our ability to grow and improve the profitability of our business or effectively respond to changing market conditions, and may place constraints on our ability to meet our revenue and net profit goals.

Previous wording

The Insurance Entities are highly regulated by state insurance authorities in Florida, which is where each is domiciled. The Insurance Entities are also regulated by state insurance authorities in the other states in which they conduct business. Such regulations, among other things, require that certain transactions between the Insurance Entities and their affiliates must be fair and reasonable and require prior notice and non-disapproval of such transactions by the applicable state insurance authority. State regulations also limit the amount of dividends and other payments that can be made by the Insurance Entities without prior regulatory approval and impose restrictions on the amount and type of investments the Insurance Entities may make. Other state regulations require insurance companies to file insurance rates and policy forms for review, restrict our ability to cancel or non-renew policies and determine the accounting standards we use in preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These regulations also affect many other aspects of the Insurance Entities’ businesses. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is time consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in these laws and regulations may materially increase our direct and indirect compliance efforts and other expenses of doing business. If the Insurance Entities fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the regulatory agencies can revoke or suspend the Insurance Entities’ licenses, withhold required approvals, require corrective action, impose operating limitations, impose penalties and fines or pursue other remedies available under applicable laws and regulations.

Current wording

The Insurance Entities are each domiciled in Florida and are highly regulated by state insurance authorities in Florida. The Insurance Entities are also regulated by state insurance authorities in the other states in which they conduct business. Such regulations, among other things, require that certain transactions between the Insurance Entities and their affiliates must be fair and reasonable and require prior notice and non-disapproval of such transactions by the applicable state insurance authority. State regulations also limit the amount of dividends and other payments that can be made by the Insurance Entities without prior regulatory approval and impose restrictions on the amount and type of investments the Insurance Entities may make. Other state regulations require insurance companies to file insurance rates and policy forms for review, restrict our ability to cancel or non-renew policies and determine the accounting standards we use in preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These regulations also affect many other aspects of the Insurance Entities’ businesses. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is time consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in these laws and regulations may materially increase our direct and indirect compliance efforts and other expenses of doing business. If the Insurance Entities fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the regulatory agencies can revoke or suspend the Insurance Entities’ licenses, withhold required approvals, require corrective action, impose operating limitations, impose penalties and fines or pursue other remedies available under applicable laws and regulations.

Previous wording

State legislatures and insurance regulators regularly re-examine existing laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, can be made for the benefit of the consumer, or for other reasons, at the direct or indirect expense of insurers, and thus could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In other instances, decisions by policymakers to not address adverse market conditions through effective changes to underlying statutes has caused, and in the future might continue to cause, an adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations. Changes to state laws and regulations can increase our costs of operations as we strive to interpret and implement them and can create civil and regulatory exposure if we fail to implement them correctly. In addition, many law changes apply only to policies issued or renewed after the laws’ effective dates, and in some cases the laws are subject to legal challenges that further limit or postpone their effectiveness or cause uncertainties in their implementation. Further, experience has shown that when laws or regulations are enacted to address certain perceived problems in the insurance market, the effectiveness of those laws or regulations can be limited or negated by shifts in behaviors by consumers, vendors and their representatives. Therefore, law changes that are intended or perceived to have a beneficial effect on our business might take longer than anticipated to produce those benefits, might be less effective than anticipated, or ultimately might not be beneficial at all.

Current wording

State legislatures and insurance regulators regularly re-examine existing laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, can be made for the benefit of the consumer, or for other reasons, at the direct or indirect expense of insurers, and thus could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In other instances, decisions by policymakers to not address adverse market conditions through effective changes to underlying statutes has caused, and in the future might continue to cause, an adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations. Changes to state laws and regulations can increase our costs of operations as we strive to interpret and implement them and can create civil and regulatory exposure if we fail to implement them correctly. In addition, many law changes apply only to policies issued or renewed after the laws’ effective dates, and in some cases the laws are subject to legal challenges that further limit or postpone their effectiveness or cause uncertainties in their implementation. Further, experience has shown that when laws or regulations are enacted to address certain perceived problems in the insurance market, the effectiveness of those laws or regulations can be limited or negated by shifts in behaviors by consumers, vendors and their representatives. Therefore, law changes that are intended or perceived to have a beneficial effect on our business might take longer than anticipated to produce those benefits, might be less effective than anticipated, or ultimately might not be beneficial at all. In addition, this can lead to perceptions among lawmakers, insureds and others that prior reforms have not had the intended effect and therefore should be rescinded or modified. These changes, in turn, create additional extended periods of uncertainty and could have adverse impacts on the availability and price of insurance for consumers as well as adverse impacts on the Insurance Entities’ underwriting results.