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12/09/08 10:13 AM

#177041 RE: Rawnoc #175947

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Announces the State of Florida Has Approved
Its Formation of a Second Property & Casualty Insurance Company

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Dec 09, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Universal Insurance
Holdings, Inc. (NYSE Alternext US: UVE), a vertically integrated insurance
holding company, announced that the State of Florida's Office of Insurance
Regulation has approved Universal Insurance Holdings' application to form a
second property and casualty insurance subsidiary (initially filed as Infinity
Property and Casualty Insurance Company), to be named American Platinum Property
and Casualty Insurance Company.

The new company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.,
intends to write insurance in the state of Florida in the lines of homeowners'
multi-peril and inland marine on homes valued in excess of $1 million, which are
limits and coverages currently not offered by its affiliate, Universal Property &
Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC). Additionally, the new company plans to write
excess flood insurance on homes valued in excess of $250,000. The new company
intends to file for the approval of its rates and forms by the Florida Office of
Insurance Regulation by the first quarter of 2009, with anticipation of writing
new business in Florida promptly following approval of its rates and forms.

Bradley I. Meier, president and chief executive officer, commented, "Universal
Insurance Holdings is pleased with the approval of a second property and casualty
insurance company, as we believe it offers an opportunity for us to utilize our
expertise and further grow within Florida. Through this subsidiary, we look
forward to offering additional property and casualty products to the citizens of
Florida."

About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

The Company is a vertically integrated insurance holding company. Through its
subsidiaries, the Company is currently engaged in insurance underwriting,
distribution and claims. UPCIC, which generates revenue from the collection and
investment of premiums, is one of the top five writers of homeowners' insurance
policies in the state of Florida.

Readers should refer generally to reports filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specifically the Company's Form 10-KSB
for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the Company's Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended September 30, 2008, for a discussion of the risk factors
that could affect its operations. Such factors include, without limitation,
exposure to catastrophic losses; reliance on the Company's reinsurance program;
underwriting performance on catastrophe and non-catastrophe risks; the ability to
maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; and competition
and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues.
Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in the Company's
filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. The Company disclaims any obligation to update and revise
statements contained in this press release based on new information or otherwise.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe,"
"expect," "anticipate," and "project," and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was
made. Such statements may include, but not be limited to, projections of
revenues, income or loss, expenses, plans, 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 in forward-looking statements.

Investor Contact:
Philip Kranz
Dresner Corporate Services
312-780-7240
pkranz@dresnerco.com




SOURCE: Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
mailto:pkranz@dresnerco.com


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