Universal Insurance Holdings announced that Universal Direct its Direct-to-Consumer online platform for Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company ("UPCIC") products, has written its first homeowners insurance policy in Minnesota.
With the addition of Minnesota, Universal Direct® is now available to customers in two states, including Pennsylvania, with the intention to add additional states in the coming months.
Independent appointed agents operating in Minnesota and Pennsylvania have the opportunity to receive commissions from policies written by UPCIC via Universal Direct®.
Sean P. Downes, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "With Universal Direct®, we are simplifying the process of purchasing homeowners insurance by providing customers an easy-to-use online platform to directly purchase, pay for and bind policies without the need to interface with any intermediaries.
"The feedback from customers who have purchased policies through Universal Direct® has been encouraging, and we look forward to further growing this unique offering."
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a vertically integrated insurance holding company performing all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims.
Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is one of the leading writers of homeowners insurance in Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Michigan.
American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company, also a wholly-owned subsidiary, currently writes homeowners multi-peril insurance on Florida homes valued in excess of $1 million, which are limits and coverages currently not targeted through its affiliate UPCIC.