Universal Insurance Holdings (UVE) announced that the New Hampshire Insurance Department issued a Certificate of Authority to Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., approving UPCIC as a licensed insurance entity in New Hampshire.

Sean P. Downes, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to have successfully completed the regulatory approval process to enter into the New Hampshire market.

This marks the seventh new state we have received approval in this year. We look forward to developing strong relationships with independent agents in New Hampshire and offering our insurance products to consumers as we build our business in the state. This approval represents another step in our successful geographic expansion effort, a core element of our growth strategy."

UPCIC is one of the leading writers of homeowners insurance nationally and is licensed to offer its homeowners insurance products in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, Alabama, West Virginia and New Hampshire.

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.