FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UVE) announced today that Universal Direct^SM (www.universaldirect.com), its Direct-to-Consumer online platform for Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company ("UPCIC") products, is now available to homeowners in Massachusetts and  Maryland.  The Company further announced that it has already written its first homeowners insurance policies through the Universal Direct^SM platform in both states.

With these additions, Universal Direct^SM is now available in 13 states, including Virginia, Florida, Hawaii, North Carolina, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Alabama.  Independent appointed agents operating in Massachusetts and Maryland have the opportunity to receive commissions from policies written by UPCIC via Universal Direct^SM.

"We are excited to announce the expansion of Universal Direct into Massachusetts and Maryland, where homeowners can now benefit from the convenience and flexibility of our easy to use online platform," said Sean P. Downes, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to receive positive feedback from customers and are encouraged by the steady organic growth achieved to date.  We will continue to focus on driving sustainable growth by entering new states, as well as exploring strategic partnerships to meet the demand from our customers for insurance products beyond our traditional homeowners insurance."

For additional information about Universal Direct^SM, please visit www.universaldirect.com.

About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
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. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is one of the leading writers of homeowners insurance in Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, Alabama and Virginia.  American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company, also a wholly-owned subsidiary, currently writes homeowners multi-peril insurance on Florida homes valued in excess of $1 million, which are limits and coverages currently not targeted through its affiliate UPCIC.  For additional information on the Company, please visit our investor relations website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private

Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include commentary on plans, products and lines of business, marketing arrangements, reinsurance programs and other business developments and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future results could differ materially from those described, and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company's operations and future results, refer to the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Investor Contact:  
Andy Brimmer / Mahmoud Siddig
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449

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SOURCE Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.