-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 I322BHqZAvgYY4gC8iIBU68MJ6RSK+jPg9pEsH1RGJzg5C3HNZBmJ5474+pFftVX
 S/TI3HEuUSPz3Viy2PHTaQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000898432-04-000368.txt : 20040422
<SEC-HEADER>0000898432-04-000368.hdr.sgml : 20040422
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040422133700
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000898432-04-000368
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040421
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040422

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOWNES SEAN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001287040

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20848
		FILM NUMBER:		04747684

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2875 N.E. 191ST
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33180

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000891166
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				650231984
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2875 NE 191 STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400A
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33180
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3057924200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2875 NE 191 STREET
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33180

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	UNIVERSAL HEIGHTS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950817
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>universal-downes_3ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000891166</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UVIH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001287040</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOWNES SEAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2875 N.E. 191ST STREET, SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33180</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>COO, Univ. Prop. &amp; Cas. Insur.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2193600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options to purchase Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-12-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-12-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options to purchase Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>.03</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-12-06</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-12-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Sean P. Downes</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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