NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) -
One missing nail may be enough to cost some Florida homeowners hundreds of dollars.
Citizens insurance, the state's largest homeowners' insurance company, is asking to inspect thousand of its policy holders' roofs.
The company claims it wants to make sure the roofs have the proper equipment to survive high winds.
More than 60 percent of the roofs flunk the inspection—sometimes just because the roof lacks just one nail.
Critics say the inspections amount to a "back-door" rate increase.
"This is another way to be able to increase rates without having to get permission from the office of insurance regulation," said Senator Mike Fasano, (R ) New Port Richey.
Citizens claims it's given more than $1 billion worth of "wind mitigation" credits. The company says it just wants to make sure people who get the credit deserve it.
Citizens is holding a depopulation summit Friday in Tampa at the Grand Hyatt on Bayport Drive.
It's from 9 a.m. to noon, and you can find more info at https://www.citizensfla.com/about/depopinfo.cfm.
