Citizens Customers Affected

Citizens Customers Affected by New “Openings Protection” Requirement

BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – October 1, 2008 – Citizens Property Insurance has announced that all homes within the Wind Borne Debris Region (WBDR) of Florida with insured values in excess of $750,000 will be required to have “openings protection” by their policy renewal date in 2009. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties are included as part of the WBDR.

For Citizens Property Insurance policyholders who receive letters saying their windstorm coverage has been canceled, here's relief: As long as you fulfill the company's new requirements, you won't be left uninsured.

Because Citizens -- the state-run insurer of last resort -- deployed a new computer system and updated its windstorm policy, all of the 408,400 wind-only policies on its books needed to be rewritten. The new policies started kicking in Feb. 1.

In other words, the company won't insure any home whose replacement value is more than $750,000 unless it has shutters. (Replacement cost is the cost to rebuild your home if it's a total loss; it could differ from market value.)

The shutter rule for more expensive homes was part of the 2007 insurance law. Legislators aimed to reduce the potential losses for Citizens by requiring shutters so these higher-value homes could stand up to a storm's wrath.

Proline is pleased to offer a variety of approved hurricane protection systems including shutters, impact resistant windows and doors, elegant front doors, hurricane screens and other advanced hurricane protection systems that combine the effectiveness requirements of the insurance company with the best price, the best service and the best products available.

Proline’s hurricane protection products easily meet Miami-Dade and Florida State Building Codes. They are considered class A shutters or impact resistant coverings with Notice of Acceptance (NOA) numbers or Florida Building (FL) Code approval numbers, which qualify for the largest policy discounts offered.

Proline President Carlos Suito

Proline President Carlos Suito said, “We are concerned that homeowners will rush to comply with this new legislation and we want them to know that there are great product options available and Proline carries them all.”

Suito went to say, “Proline has many hurricane protection options to meet the homeowners’ aesthetic requirements at reasonable prices. Impact-resistant windows and doors do not change the architecture of a property while providing effortless protection; innovative hurricane screens work particularly well to protect patio areas and everything inside while providing colorful options which blend into the home and accordion shutters provide the best protection for a minimal price. And since we’re the manufacturer as well as the installer, we get the work done fast and done right, guaranteed.”

Proline delivers professional home protection and that’s our biggest difference. While other companies concentrate on selling shutters, our mission is to protect your home, your family and your peace of mind. That’s our philosophy. That’s the advantage of Proline.