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www.snowbirds.org
CSA TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE
Check your cell phone bill regularly, as you should with any credit card and bank statement, and if
you suspect your cell phone has been cloned, contact your cellular telephone provider immediately.
Florida Property Insurance Market Assistance Plan
Following several back-to-back years of devastating hurricanes in the United States sunbelt, many
private property insurance companies became reluctant to take on new clients as well as even renew
existing polices in high-risk areas.
Florida Market Assistance Program
The Florida Market Assistance Plan (FMAP) is a free referral service that tries to assist property owners
in locating a property insurance provider.
To access FMAP services you must first register your property with their office, preferably over the
internet. If you cannot successfully register online, you can contact their office for assistance.
FMAP does not, itself provide property insurance quotation but helps to identified licensed insurance
brokers or agents in your specific area who are writing new business.
You can learn more about FMAP, or to register your Florida property, by logging onto your computer
and visiting their web site at
http://www.fmap.org.
You may contact them for registration
assistance at 1-800-524-9023.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
If you are unable to locate a private property insurance broker or agent that is willing to offer you
coverage for your Florida residence, you may, as a last resort, turn to the state-operated Citizens
Property Insurance Corporation. Created in 2002 by the Florida Legislature, Citizens provides
insurance to homeowners in high-risk areas as well as others who cannot find coverage in the open,
public insurance marketplace.
As an “insurer of last resort for high-risk properties” Citizens’ premium rates will of course be higher
than those in the general open market.
To learn more about Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, you can log onto your computer and
visit their website at
http://www.citizensfla.com
. You may also contact them for general informa-
tion, and to find a local agent in your area who is licensed to provide a Citizens’ quotation for you at
1-888-685-1555.
What If I Lose My Identity Documents?
Losing your identification can be stressful, but there are steps that can be taken immediately to
protect yourself from further loss and inconvenience.
As a first step, even if you are not travelling in the immediate future, it is a good idea to photocopy
or digitally scan (if you have access to a computer and scanner) your passport, birth certificate, social
insurance (SIN) card, as well as the entire contents of your wallet or purse (front and back sides of
document).
Keep these copies in a safe place that can be easily accessed. Having the photocopies or digital
images available will help you to remember what was in your wallet or purse in the replacement
process and aid in completing a police report if you believe they have been stolen.