Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT:
Edward J. Lawson, President and Chairman, 21st Century Holding Company
(954) 308-1257 or (954) 581-9993

                      21st CENTURY HOLDING COMPANY REPORTS
                    LOSSES FOR HURRICANE AND FORWARD GUIDANCE

      Plantation, Florida, August 16, 2004 - 21st Century Holding Company
(Nasdaq: TCHC), reports losses for Hurricane and forward guidance.

      Edward J. (Ted) Lawson, President & Chairman of the Board, comments about
Federated National Insurance Company, a subsidiary of 21st Century, "First and
foremost we would like to assure all of our policyholders that were effected by
Hurricane Charley that our adjusters are in the stricken area and working hard
to help take care of them. Our claim lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. Our offices are staffed and we are responding to our policyholders needs."

      Mr. Lawson continued, "The Company's total exposure is now estimated to be
between 1,000 and 1,500 claims, which will result in a $5 to $6 million charge
to Federated National's surplus. To help mitigate our loss we will be filing for
rate relief to recover our loss and pay for the increased reinsurance costs that
will result from this storm.

      The Company has in place approximately $200 million of additional
catastrophic coverage. Our amount of insurance coverage was determined by
subjecting our homeowner and mobile homeowner exposures to statistical
forecasting models that are designed to quantify a catastrophic event in terms
of the frequency of a storm occurring in a worst case scenario of once in every
one hundred years. In a catastrophic event, Federated National would retain the
first $10 million of damage; the next $195 million of damage is paid by the
reinsurers. Second event coverage is automatic and included in the treaty.

      Because of Hurricane Charley, we will be taking a one-time charge to our
earnings in the 3rd quarter of approximately $1.25 per share. Our earnings
guidance for 2004 will now be $2.50 per share including the one-time charge for
this storm.

      Hurricane Charley is going down as one of the most costly natural
disasters of all time. There has not been a storm of this magnitude to hit the
west coast of Florida in over 70 years. Only Hurricane Andrew, which hit the
east coast, caused as much destruction of property and hardship as Hurricane
Charley has.

      21st Century is still strong and will weather this storm. We have the
financial strength to stand behind our companies and make them whole. We will
once again prove to our shareholders and insureds that we are a well-run and
financially sound company. This storm will not affect our business model or
growth and we will continue to generate revenue and profits. Guidance for 2005
is reaffirmed for the Company to make $4.50 to $5.00 per share."

About the Company

      The Company, through its subsidiaries, underwrites standard and
non-standard personal automobile insurance, flood insurance, general liability
insurance, mobile home insurance and homeowners' property and casualty insurance
in the State of Florida. The Company underwrites general liability and
homeowners insurance as an admitted carrier in the State of Louisiana. The
Company also operates as an approved (non-admitted) carrier in the State of
Georgia underwriting general liability coverage for contractors, mercantile
classes and special events. In addition, the Company has underwriting authority
and processes claims for third party insurance companies. In addition to
insurance


services, the Company offers premium finance services to its insureds as well as
insureds of certain third party insurance companies. Lastly, the Company offers
other ancillary services including licensing of its tax preparation software
products, electronic income tax filing, tax preparation, and automobile tag and
title transfer services.

      The Company offers single and master franchise opportunities to
individuals through its subsidiaries, Fed USA Insurance/Financial Services and
EXPRESSTAX(R) Franchise Corporation.

      Safe harbor statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this press release that are not historical fact are
forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those
discussed herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such
as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "would,"
"estimate," or "continue" or the other negative variations thereof or comparable
terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation, uncertainties related to estimates,
assumptions and projections generally; inflation and other changes in economic
conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); pricing
competition and other initiatives by competitors; ability to obtain regulatory
approval for applications to underwrite in an additional jurisdiction or for
requested rate changes, and the timing thereof; legislative and regulatory
developments; the outcome of litigation pending against the Company and any
settlement thereof; risks related to the nature of the Company's business;
dependence on investment income and the composition of the Company's investment
portfolio; the adequacy of the Company's liability for loss and loss adjustment
expense; insurance agents; claims experience; limited experience in the
insurance industry; ratings by industry services; catastrophe losses; reliance
on key personnel; weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of
storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and hail); changes in driving patterns and loss
trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in
litigation, and health care and auto repair costs; and other matters described
from time to time by the Company in releases and publications, and in periodic
reports and other documents filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. In addition, investors should be aware that generally accepted
accounting principles prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks,
including litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting
period could be significantly affected if and when a reserve is established for
a major contingency. Reported results may therefore appear to be volatile in
certain accounting periods.

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