Universal Property Insurance
A Fort Lauderdale company that has insured Florida homes since 1997. Now the state's second-largest home insurer, sold through local agents.
- Writing
- Home · Condo · Renters · Landlord
- Admitted in Florida
Latest rate change
Not available
Roof rule
A roof over 20 years old changes how Universal pays
Good to know
Homes built 1950 or newer, insured from $100K to $2 million
Policies in force
590,900
OIR, as of Jun 30, 2026
Can I get a policy?
The short version of the rules, in order of how often they trip people up. Tap any one for the detail and the source.
Homes built 1950 or newer, insured from $100K to $2 million
Universal writes HO-3 policies on homes built 1950 or newer. Dwelling coverage runs from $100,000 up to $2 million, and the floor is $250,000 in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.
In those three counties, homes built 1950 to 1975 start with water damage excluded or capped at $10,000. You can ask for full water coverage after a passing 4-point inspection.
UPCIC "Florida Underwriting Binding Guidelines," 09/03/2026 edition
A roof over 20 years old changes how Universal pays
Any roof type is fine if it's in good condition. But past 20 years, Universal may settle roof claims at actual cash value (ACV) — what the old roof is worth, not what a new one costs — and may limit water coverage. It can also ask for a roof inspection at your expense.
UPCIC "Florida Underwriting Binding Guidelines," 09/03/2026 edition
Homes over 40 years old need a 4-point inspection
Homes more than 40 years old need a 4-point inspection for Universal. That is a short report on the roof, electric, plumbing and A/C. Condo, renters and HO-8 policies are exempt.
List any roof, heat or wiring updates from the last 30 years on the application. They help your case.
UPCIC "Florida Underwriting Binding Guidelines," 09/03/2026 edition
No fuses, no aluminum wiring, and at least 100-amp service
Universal says no to fuse boxes. It also declines aluminum branch wiring, cloth wiring, and knob-and-tube wiring. Double-tapped breakers fail too, unless fixed with an approved repair (Alumiconn or Copalum). Service must be at least 100 amps.
The home needs working A/C. Space heaters can't be the main heat source.
UPCIC "Florida Underwriting Binding Guidelines," 09/03/2026 edition
No polybutylene pipes — and PEX has an age rule
Universal won't write a home with polybutylene plumbing, a plastic pipe used in many homes from the 1980s and early 1990s. PEX plumbing is fine only if the home was built, or fully re-piped, in 2010 or later.
Not sure what you have? A plumber or a 4-point inspection report can tell you.
UPCIC "Florida Underwriting Binding Guidelines," 09/03/2026 edition
Your record counts, not just the house
A bankruptcy or foreclosure in the last 5 years is a decline. So is a felony in the last 10 years, or an arson or fraud conviction at any time. If you've ever sued your own home or auto insurer, Universal won't write you. A past sinkhole loss at any address, ever, is also a no.
UPCIC "Florida Underwriting Binding Guidelines," 09/03/2026 edition
Show proof of insurance from the last 45 days or pay more
Universal asks for proof you had insurance within the past 45 days. Without it, a surcharge applies. Force-placed coverage — the kind your mortgage company buys for you — doesn't count. A wind-only policy doesn't count either.
UPCIC "Florida Underwriting Binding Guidelines," 09/03/2026 edition
What's changed recently
No changes tracked yet for Universal Property. Updates land here the week we verify them.
Rate history
No rate filings tracked yet.
How they treat customers
- Complaints
- Not available
- Financial strength
- A · Demotech as of Oct 7, 2026
- Years in Florida
- Since 1997 — 29 years
- Regulatory actions
- Not available
No star ratings, no user reviews. Public data only, with the source linked.