News Release: Judge approves plan to offer renewal coverage to American Keystone policyholders

Oct 30, 2009

Florida CFO Alex Sink issued this news release on October 30, 2009

Florida CFO Alex Sink announced today that the court has approved the transition plan filed by the Department of Financial Services to offer renewal policies to most homeowners currently insured with Ponte Vedra-based American Keystone Insurance Company, which was ordered into receivership for the purpose of liquidation earlier this month.

A majority of the homeowners insured with American Keystone will be offered coverage with Homeowners Choice Property and Casualty Insurance Company.

American Keystone had approximately 7,800 policies in force including homeowners, commercial, and wind policies, at the time of the receivership. Policyholders and agents were immediately advised of the cancellation date and the need to secure new coverage.

Under the transition plan approved yesterday by Leon County Circuit Court Judge Charles A. Francis, 5,400 policyholders with Coverage A limits under $1 million will now be offered replacement coverage with Homeowners Choice.

Policyholders interested in taking advantage of this offer should contact their agents for more information or call Homeowners Choice Property and Casualty Insurance Company at (888) 210-5235. At this time, Homeowners Choice will be able to immediately offer this insurance coverage to the selected policyholders, providing that the policyholders have no property damage to their homes.

Homeowners Choice will offer insurance coverage to policyholders with property damage upon receipt of evidence that the home repairs have been completed. In the interim, policyholders with property damage are urged to work with their agents in seeking replacement insurance coverage.

Consumers with questions relating to claims should call the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) at 1-866-928-4310 or their agent. The American Keystone liquidation order and other related information can be found at http://www.MyFloridaCFO.com/Receiver/. For any other questions, Floridians can call the Department’s Insurance Consumer Helpline at (850)413-3089 or toll-free at 1-877-My-FL-CFO or visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com.