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Citizens Property Insurance suspends writing policies as Hurricane Matthew threatens Florida

 
This NOAA satellite image taken Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 at 09:45 AM EDT shows Hurricane Matthew over the south central Caribbean Sea. (Weather Underground via AP) NY4C
This NOAA satellite image taken Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 at 09:45 AM EDT shows Hurricane Matthew over the south central Caribbean Sea. (Weather Underground via AP) NY4C
Published Oct. 5, 2016

Though Tampa Bay is far removed from Hurricane Matthew's current track, the storm already is affecting property owners here — particularly those buying and selling a home.

When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens any part of Florida, state-run Citizens Property Insurance suspends writing new policies or adding coverage to existing policies throughout the state. For Citizens — which has about 103,000 Tampa Bay area policies — that suspension went into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Other Florida property insurers are typically less restrictive and only suspend writing policies in those areas directly under a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning.

In a statement, Citizens said it has made initial contacts to deploy all the independent adjusters needed to service claims following the storm as it coordinates response efforts with state and local authorities.