TALLAHASSEE — State regulators moved forward Thursday with placing United Property & Casualty Insurance Co. into receivership after higher-than-expected losses from Hurricane Ian helped push the insurer into insolvency.

Interim Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworksy sent a letter to state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis to trigger a process that will lead to seeking court approval to place the St. Petersburg-based insurer into receivership, according to documents posted on the Office of Insurance Regulation website. United Property & Casualty agreed to the move.

United Property & Casualty has faced deep financial problems for months, including announcing in August that it would exit Florida’s troubled homeowners’ insurance market. Tampa-based Slide Insurance Co. on Feb. 1 picked up 72,000 of United Property & Casualty’s policies.

In a Feb. 10 filing with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, parent company United Insurance Holdings Corp. said United Property & Casualty was expected to be placed into receivership because of insolvency.

“United was deemed insolvent on February 6, 2023, because if all of the assets of United, if made immediately available, would be insufficient to discharge all of the liabilities of United. … (The Office of Insurance Regulation) has determined that United is operating in an unsound condition that is hazardous to policyholders, creditors, stockholders and the public,” Virginia Christy, director of the office’s Property & Casualty Financial Oversight unit, said in an affidavit attached to Yaworsky’s letter.

The move to place United Property & Casualty in receivership is another blow to Florida’s property-insurance market. The state placed six insurers into receivership in 2022 because of insolvencies.

United Property and Casualty had about 135,000 policies in Florida before Slide took over the 72,000 policies, according to a document filed Feb. 6 at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Office of Insurance Regulation letter Thursday and accompanying documents do not detail plans for remaining United Property & Casualty customers. The state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has provided policies to many homeowners who lost coverage because of last year’s insolvencies.

While Slide took over the 72,000 policies, it is not liable for claims filed before Feb. 1 by former United Property & Casualty customers. The insolvency and receivership likely will lead to the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association needing to step in to help pay United Property & Casualty claims.

The agency was created to handle claims of insolvent companies and can collect assessments on policyholders throughout the state to cover the costs.

Christy’s affidavit Thursday detailed years of concerns by regulators about United Property & Casualty’s financial condition. It said the insurer had net underwriting losses of more than $35 million each year since 2017.

In July 2022, the company notified regulators that its financial rating had been downgraded to a level below what is required by the mortgage-industry giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which look at whether homes are insured by financially sound companies. That led to regulators placing United Property & Casualty in a new program that involved Citizens Property Insurance serving as a backstop.

A Dec. 5 order from the Office of Insurance Regulation for what is known as “public administrative supervision” said United Property & Casualty had been unable to obtain reinsurance – critical backup coverage – for the 2023 hurricane season. It said the insurer planned to cancel all remaining policies May 31, before the start of the season.

But in the Feb. 10 Securities and Exchange Commission filing. United Property & Casualty’s parent company said the insurer had been hit harder than expected in Hurricane Ian, which made landfall Sept. 28 in Southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm and crossed the state.

The parent company issued a statement Friday that said United Property & Casualty was “heavily concentrated” in Southwest Florida and received about 25,000 claims from Ian. It said United Property & Casualty had purchased reinsurance in “accordance with industry standards and certain requirements.”

“For more than two years, UPC has made every effort possible to return to profitability, remain a going concern, pay covered claims and handle claims with professionalism, while abiding by all regulations,” the statement said. “Not only has UIHC (United Insurance Holdings Corp.) contributed $75 million in 2022 alone into its personal lines carrier (UPC) to mitigate losses and remain solvent, but it also attempted to reduce its liabilities by selling renewal rights in an effort to protect policyholders from UPC’s continued deteriorating results.”

The Feb. 10 Securities & Exchange Commission filing said United Property & Casualty had expected gross losses of $660 million from Hurricane Ian, but the actual losses were $864 million. After factoring in reinsurance, the higher-than-expected net loss was $145 million as of Dec. 31.

“As a result of the increased net losses incurred by UPC … UPC is expected to be insolvent as of December 31, 2022,” the Feb. 10 filing said. “Accordingly, the company has notified the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation of UPC’s material impairment.”

The coastal city of Crystal River, Florida, is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Sunshine State - especially for nature lovers. Home to Kings Bay Park, the region is flourishing with protected wildlife, which has seen it become one of the best places in Florida for nature, leading to the development of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. These parts also offer stunning lakes and rivers, unspoiled forests prime for hiking, sumptuous scallops, world-class golfing, and fantastic fishing - the latter made even more enticing thanks to the city's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Still, all those attractions and activities are not the stars of the show in this part of Florida; it's the Everglades animals out in the wild.

With warm springs and spring-fed rivers, Crystal River is a haven for wildlife - but more specifically, one lovable, chunky creature that never fails to turn heads and attract people into the temperate waters to marvel at its sizable presence. That cute, 'chonky' animal is the friendly manatee - and populations of them are present year-round in the waters of Crystal Rivers, FL.

What Is Crystal River, FL, Known For?

Of course, Crystal River boasts natural beauty, abundant history, excellent fishing and golfing, and plenty of diverse wildlife; however, the place is most famous for its marvelous manatees in the pristine waterways. As these gracious mammals float through the crystal-clear H2O, offering frequent encounters with curious humans, one of the best things to do in Crystal River is, indeed, getting in the water with these beauties - and an ideal way to do so is on a guided tour.

How Do You Find Manatees In Crystal River?

The manatees in Crystal River live and play in the warm waterways, which means visitors can find them as they paddle, swim, snorkel, dive, kayak, or paddleboard the waters. However, it's mostly local people who know the specifics of how and where to find Crystal River's manatees; therefore, for tourists, one of the best ways of spotting and spending time with these adorable creatures is by opting for one of the best Crystal River manatee swim tours (hint - details are below!)

About This Crystal River Manatee Tour

Meet Adorable Manatees On One Of The Top-Rated Crystal River Manatee Swim Tours

On this Crystal River manatee swim tour, travelers get to spend a day in one of Central Florida’s natural manatee habitats. Combing one of the best manatee tours in Florida with an Everglades airboat adventure complete with expert guides, this memorable trip promises the full experience, incorporating wildlife with sightseeing and waterway exploration.

Tour participants start off with a lovely airboat ride on the Crystal River, followed by swimming and snorkeling in one of the best areas for manatees in FL - a place where sightings are known to be frequent. After enjoying encounters with Florida's resident manatees, tourers then get to enjoy an exciting airboat trip on the Withlacoochee River.

The Ultimate Wildlife Adventure To The Crystal River & Withlacoochee River From Orlando: What's Included On This Manatee & Airboat Tour

Hospital-grade sanitized wetsuits are mandatory for tour participants to wear. These are available from the dive shop at a fee of $15.

What's It Like To Go On A Crystal River Manatee Tour?

The ultimate manatee sightseeing day gets going with a tasty breakfast in Orlando. When ready, participants meet their guide and the rest of the group as everyone is collected from select locations. Once everyone has been picked up, the group is taken on to the famous Crystal River, where Florida's most beautiful coast awaits - one that's home to one of the world's largest populations of endangered West Indian manatees.

Upon arrival, guests can hop into the water donned-in equipment provided by the tour operator. Whether swimming or snorkeling, tourers get to hang out in the manatees' natural habitat alongside trained and certified divemasters. They'll also get to learn about these gentle mammals and the sad truth behind why they're currently threatened, such as habitat loss.

After the first part of the cruise, guests go for a sit-down lunch at a local restaurant. Then, with full bellies and a fresh stash of energy, the adventure continues in the afternoon on a 30-minute Withlacoochee River airboat tour. Along the river, tour participants can keep their eyes peeled for more manatees, as well as dolphins and other fascinating species. At the end of the tour, with minds full of memories (and SD cards chock-full of photos, of course), guests are returned to Orlando to their hotels.

This trip is one of the best things to do in Crystal River - but the minimum age is three years, so travelers with very young children may need to find alternative plans for their little ones.

What Is The Best Time To See Manatees At Crystal River?

A common question is, which months are best for seeing manatees? Although these harmless animals can be seen year-round, sightings are more abundant during certain times. In particular, for the best chances of spotting these beautiful animals, visiting the waterways during the Crystal River manatee season is travelers' best bet. The peak season for manatees in Crystal River is November until April, with the local manatee population at its highest between December and February. In summer, the odds of seeing manatees are reduced, as their numbers are smaller during this time.

Can You Touch The Manatees In Crystal River?

The consensus is, yes, people are allowed to touch the Crystal River manatees; however, there are regulations and guidelines for interacting with these endangered animals to preserve their safety and habitats. The species is protected under law, so anybody wishing to swim with them - either alone or on a tour - must follow the local regulations.

One particularly important rule forbids anyone from touching the manatees with two hands at the same time - only gentle touches on the stomach or back with one hand are permitted. In any case, tour participants will receive a full briefing on how to interact with the manatees properly and safely from their tour guide, who will detail all the dos and don'ts and best practices.

Tips For Swimming With Manatees In Florida

The Crystal River City Council took another swing this week in giving city residents and visitors the opportunity to play the popular sport, voting unanimously to allow the courses in general commercial areas.

An applicant wanting to build a course on North Citrus Avenue is requesting the amendment as a supplemental use in the city’s zoning.

The council voted Monday to approve the changes that would allow the miniature golf course where there is now a vacant, former daycare center. Monday’s public hearing on the issue was the proposal’s first reading. A second and final reading will be held during the council’s Jan. 23 meeting at City Hall.

“I’m excited about it,” said Mayor Joe Meek, adding that it was good to see the empty, former daycare building being put to use again.

Miniature golf courses are already allowed within the city’s high intensity commercial zoning district as well as public institutional zoning district.

“The use provides significant benefits to both city residents as well as tourists, as it promotes walking, social interaction, and relationship building in a relaxed and informal environment, regardless of one’s age or level of fitness,” wrote city staff in the City Council’s agenda. “This type of activity is beneficial to one’s mental and physical health, as well as providing team building opportunities.

“Miniature golf courses are often found in waterfront cities that thrive on tourism. This is the case in Crystal River. Given the closing of the city’s mall and movie theater, it is likely that such a facility would be quite popular.”

In a recent AYTM survey, miniature golf might be, in some ways, more popular than traditional golf.

Of those people surveyed, 17 percent said they enjoyed playing golf and 19 percent said they enjoyed watching it on television.

But of those surveyed, 60 percent said they’ve never golfed and 11 percent said they play only once or twice a year.

When it comes to miniature golf, also called putt-putt golf, 44 percent of those surveyed said they enjoyed playing.

The city would dictate under its zoning the minimum number of parking spaces, lighting, and hours of operation.

City citizen members of the Crystal River Planning Commission voted 6-0 Thursday, Nov. 3, for City Council to permit the recreational developments as supplemental land uses in the city’s general-commercial zoning district.

Brian Herrmann, director of Crystal River’s planning and community development department, told commissioners Thursday the city already allows miniature golf and driving ranges as a by-right use in its high-intensity-commercial and public-institutional zoning districts.

Lecanto residents Sarah and Jason Arena applied with Crystal River to amend the city’s land development code to also permit miniature golf courses and driving ranges in general-commercial zoning districts outside the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency district.

If the change goes through, Herrmann said, it would give developers four new and ideal areas in the city to chose from if they want to build a miniature golf course and/or driving range, including where the Arenas are looking to open up their own miniature golf course.

Herrmann introduced the city planning commission to a conceptual layout of the couple’s development on the northwest corner of North Citrus Avenue and Northwest 10th Street, the current site of the former Kids Lodge Preschool and Daycare.

“It’s almost impossible to not discuss the site,” Herrmann said before reminding commissioners they’re voting on the proposed amendment to the land development code, not the Arenas’ prospective development.

Sarah and Jason Arena told commissioners Thursday they’re under contract to purchase the property, and received permission from its current owner to submit their aforementioned application with the city to allow for a miniature golf course there.

“We’d love to see something like that for the kids and families,” Sarah Arena said, adding her own family has prior and successful experience in the miniature-golf industry.

Herrmann and the Arenas said a top priority for the development is to work around onsite trees by building atop of what’s already been developed, and there’s more than enough clearance between the site and an adjacent stream.

“There’s no impact to any surrounding natural environment,” Herrmann said, “if they were to just come and build on the site that’s already been used.”

Herrmann and the Arenas said traffic congestion in the area also shouldn’t worsen with the addition of a miniature golf course because the peak operating hours of the neighboring and busy Citrus Diagnostic Center wouldn’t overlap with the course’s.

Also, Herrmann and the Arenas added, the potential miniature golf course would not only use the current on-street parking but would also provide additional parking onsite that also wouldn’t impact traffic flows on nearby roadways.

Contact Chronicle reporter Buster Thompson at 352-564-2916, bthompson@chronicleonline.com or visit tinyurl.com/yxn2ahso to see more of his stories.

If you are looking to give a Christmas gift to our manatee friends and help keep Crystal River pristine at the same time, look no further.

Save Crystal River Inc. (SCR) “has created many unique opportunities for people to send gifts that will also make a direct difference in changing the future,” according to the nonprofit.

With support from state government officials and donations, SCR has spearheaded the restoration of over 55 acres of the river, with a goal of 93 acres to be completed by the 100th anniversary of The City of Crystal River in July of 2023.

The rehabilitation efforts were made possible with the support of aquatic restoration experts Sea & Shoreline, whose team of biologists and aquatic experts use patented technology to vacuum the muck out and plant new eelgrass.

Manatees are starving, and those looking to make a change may purchase a “Manatee Munchies Lunchbox to Feed the Manatees,” SCR said.

When people purchase a Sea Cow Snack for $25, a Manatee Munchie Lunchie for $50 or The Hungry Man-atee Meal for $100, all donations will go toward restoring, protecting, and saving Crystal River.

“Like trees, eelgrass sheds leaves,” SCR said. “Boat propellers also ‘cut’ the grass when they are not properly raised, which must be collected as well.

“With this, the tasty ‘snacks’ are gathered without disrupting the planted eelgrass in Crystal River as a surface skimmer traverses the waters of Crystal River and collects the grasses to repurpose to Feed the Manatees,” SCR added.

The grass clippings are sent to rehabilitation facilities to give manatees in captivity access to their natural food source, making it easier for them to reacclimate when they return to the wild.

In addition, plants that are accidentally unearthed from the roots are collected and used in education programs for schools, teaching future generations about the valuable necessity of seagrass and eelgrass in the environmental cycle.

Another gift idea is taking part in “Manatee Fever,” an art movement created by Save Crystal River, where people may take part in water rehabilitation and manatee feeding efforts, by gifting a custom-designed manatee, standing over five-feet tall.

Corporations, private donors, or individuals may gift or sponsor a manatee sculpture, select an artist to paint it and a design of their choice, as long as it is approved by the Save Crystal River board of directors.

The personalized, one-of-a-kind masterpiece can include the recipient’s name on a statue plaque, SCR said.

“This is a limited time offer to create a commemorative manatee art sculpture,” the nonprofit said. “These exclusive figures are displayed around the city, or at a location selected by the sponsor.”

“All proceeds from the art installation gifts are used to restore or protect the beauty and health of Crystal River for generations to come,” SCR said.