Heritage Insurance vs Homeowners Choice and TypTap (HCI Group)

Verdict

Both started the same way, taking policies out of Citizens, both are publicly traded and based in Tampa, and both rely on Demotech A (Exceptional) ratings rather than AM Best. Since then they have gone in different directions. Heritage (NYSE: HRTG, founded 2012) now writes personal residential in 16 states through three carriers, and 2025 NAIC data show it among the 10 largest home insurers in two Northeast states: 9th in New York and 8th in Rhode Island. HCI Group (NYSE: HCI, founded 2006) remains a Florida business: it was the state's 6th-largest homeowners group in 2025 with 4.96% of premiums, and its Tailrow and CORE exchanges write only in Florida.

The second difference is the stretch of recent history. Heritage spent the years after 2021 shrinking on purpose, closing territories, raising rates and cutting Florida policies from 241,581 to 112,304 by mid-2026, then reopened more than 90% of its geographies to new business by March 2026. HCI kept taking Citizens policies: its carriers assumed 60,820 in 2025. If you were nonrenewed by Heritage in 2023 or 2024, a new application may get a different answer today. Either way, check that the carrier is writing new business at your address.

How you buy and what you can add also differ. Heritage sells only through independent agents and large agency networks. HCI also does that, but TypTap offers online quotes. On contents, Heritage's Florida forms list personal property replacement cost as an add-on, so check whether your quote settles at actual cash value. HCI's profile publishes no endorsement list, so ask the agent what a quote includes. Neither profile gives roof settlement terms.

Choose Heritage if

• You live in New York, Hawaii, Mississippi or another of its 16 states where HCI's profile names no Homeowners Choice presence.
• You want a hurricane specialist for Hawaii through Zephyr, or a coastal Florida carrier that also writes HO-3, HO-6, renters and DP-3.
• You want a second rating beside Demotech: KBRA affirmed BBB+ for Heritage P&C and NBIC in December 2025.
• You buy through an independent agent and want published add-ons such as increased jewelry limits, dog liability and personal injury.

Choose Homeowners Choice or TypTap if

• You live in Florida and want a carrier that has been there since 2007 and and whose book is overwhelmingly Florida.
• You want to quote online through TypTap, or need flood insurance (TypTap flood is available in eight states).
• You own a seasonal or secondary Florida home (Tailrow accepts them) or manage a condominium association (CORE writes those).
• You received an HCI takeout offer from Citizens and want to compare it with other private options, remembering the 20% test.

Key differences

Before you decide

Get quotes for the same Coverage A, hurricane deductible and endorsements, ask whether each is open to new business at your address, and confirm whether contents are paid at replacement cost or actual cash value. Read the roof language before the price. depopulation and takeout offers from state insurers of last resort explains the 20% rule if your offer came from Citizens, Demotech ratings and Florida's insurers covers what the A means, Roof payment schedules and ACV roof endorsements covers roof terms, and how to compare homeowners insurance quotes shows how to line the quotes up.