Citizens Insurance Wants To Cut Risks

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) - Bigger is not always better, at least when Governor Rick Scott looks at Florida's biggest insurance company. He wants Citizens Insurance to find ways to slim down, and Monday, the state-owned insurance program took up that task.

Citizens Citizens Property Insurance's board has been given until December 6th to find ways to downsize, and in the process reduce the risks taxpayers face in covering

Citizens Property Insurance's board members on Monday will weigh ways to reduce the state-backed insurer's size and financial risk to Floridians. The state wants to make changes before the start of next hurricane season.

With 1.5 million policies, Citizens faces a tremendous risk in the event of a major hurricane, and taxpayers are the ultimate source of funds if Citizen's can't meet its obligations.

Some of the choices Citizens are to raise rates or get rid of policies, but as the state's insurer of last resort, that could cause major hardship for people who can't find insurance anywhere else.