<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2020 Workiva-->
<!--r:36df4aa0-4bdd-4686-87b6-9a0b6396ca4b,g:abb17b08-d79f-4cd4-a0da-d55cf5669bd7-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended" id="i50eff50a1f0d40aa8faec38c5e6f9884_CoverPage"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSunaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSunaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSunaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i671e3ea29d1949ca915626be8d2bc88d_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSunaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSunauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSunauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSunauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="if932e2d4ff6846b694357b582a7fb21a_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSunauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOMEunaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOMEunaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOMEunaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i00ef983f15e24816917d8f92d3719fac_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOMEunaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEunaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEunaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEunaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i1d5aa864abb94694ab570f03bdf0b762_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEunaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYunaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYunaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYunaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i7f0b548b5cd746d1a44229d06ec9277d_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYunaudited">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_aac7f08b-4c14-4ff3-95c3-6bb2db1bff37" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_aac7f08b-4c14-4ff3-95c3-6bb2db1bff37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_8093e7f2-9797-4292-924b-62b608da8d22" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_8093e7f2-9797-4292-924b-62b608da8d22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_d284a72b-9b22-42e3-aec3-259d0af1a6fd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_d284a72b-9b22-42e3-aec3-259d0af1a6fd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_4f14e2be-6c6c-4c23-9529-57b666241742" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_aa7ad366-2ae9-463b-96c0-3ce5ef57354a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_aa7ad366-2ae9-463b-96c0-3ce5ef57354a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_26c77792-944e-4ab6-a7f3-4a746a46cd25" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_26c77792-944e-4ab6-a7f3-4a746a46cd25" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_c5ecb904-379e-4118-8a9d-47e194d5ea29" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_c5ecb904-379e-4118-8a9d-47e194d5ea29" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_779725f2-e1bd-482a-94af-8960ba221f39" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_779725f2-e1bd-482a-94af-8960ba221f39" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueCommonSharesVestingOfRestrictedStockUnits_ffeac369-772f-48e5-9e44-0da01f84f62f" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueCommonSharesVestingOfRestrictedStockUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_uve_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueCommonSharesVestingOfRestrictedStockUnits_ffeac369-772f-48e5-9e44-0da01f84f62f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesCommonSharesVestingOfRestrictedStockUnits_c4ff08a3-3fb3-4003-a0d1-a40bc026a5ef" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesCommonSharesVestingOfRestrictedStockUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_uve_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesCommonSharesVestingOfRestrictedStockUnits_c4ff08a3-3fb3-4003-a0d1-a40bc026a5ef" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_957f217e-4228-4c8d-a3b4-d4dc501ccd15" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_957f217e-4228-4c8d-a3b4-d4dc501ccd15" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_fc844795-ce97-4427-962f-19629073b1e6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_fc844795-ce97-4427-962f-19629073b1e6" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_80d16b2c-81ef-48df-a0ed-94d3f5fafbcb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_80d16b2c-81ef-48df-a0ed-94d3f5fafbcb" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_21272028-a268-48aa-bcf1-5bbd63f9b086" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_21272028-a268-48aa-bcf1-5bbd63f9b086" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_TreasuryStockCommonRetiredValue_8d9139b4-5398-4187-a165-7833be3608fd" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_TreasuryStockCommonRetiredValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_uve_TreasuryStockCommonRetiredValue_8d9139b4-5398-4187-a165-7833be3608fd" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_TreasuryStockCommonSharesRetired_fd4bacee-5a4d-4ea1-b859-9084ebc203c1" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_TreasuryStockCommonSharesRetired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_uve_TreasuryStockCommonSharesRetired_fd4bacee-5a4d-4ea1-b859-9084ebc203c1" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_3a305a88-a852-4768-96ab-c6107e3cc67a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_3a305a88-a852-4768-96ab-c6107e3cc67a" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_80ce87ec-ffde-4bb3-80b6-e85cff25b13a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_80ce87ec-ffde-4bb3-80b6-e85cff25b13a" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c1f29c7f-61aa-4227-baba-ca2e7405ecb9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c1f29c7f-61aa-4227-baba-ca2e7405ecb9" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c27c48f4-d521-4123-ad14-18167aa25810" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c27c48f4-d521-4123-ad14-18167aa25810" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_55d71757-d1cc-4a13-8d3d-124b884f5290" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_55d71757-d1cc-4a13-8d3d-124b884f5290" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCash_8fc0f99c-1cc7-4877-9a0b-3c445f69a376" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCash_8fc0f99c-1cc7-4877-9a0b-3c445f69a376" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_c32b1c98-00b6-432b-8917-4cb0cd90dad9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b31a28ae-98dc-41ee-962c-f1cd6bb54858" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_c32b1c98-00b6-432b-8917-4cb0cd90dad9" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_308a1cfc-9b40-4c8d-aad8-a101e2a3eae2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_34d19b4c-2b23-4609-9787-ba65fdf51079" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_f07cb5a3-7303-4680-8494-e47c6611d027" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_aac7f08b-4c14-4ff3-95c3-6bb2db1bff37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_f07cb5a3-7303-4680-8494-e47c6611d027" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_e7c31165-a88f-4e52-a48d-4b6f21ea8492" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_aac7f08b-4c14-4ff3-95c3-6bb2db1bff37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_e7c31165-a88f-4e52-a48d-4b6f21ea8492" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_644ade7c-46c1-4857-8d0c-0847285bc3a7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_e7c31165-a88f-4e52-a48d-4b6f21ea8492" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_644ade7c-46c1-4857-8d0c-0847285bc3a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_644ade7c-46c1-4857-8d0c-0847285bc3a7_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_644ade7c-46c1-4857-8d0c-0847285bc3a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_644ade7c-46c1-4857-8d0c-0847285bc3a7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0fa46220-843d-4391-a05a-3b22f66ace49" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_644ade7c-46c1-4857-8d0c-0847285bc3a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0fa46220-843d-4391-a05a-3b22f66ace49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_801551ed-f54d-46a7-9d9d-a8ea5952294b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0fa46220-843d-4391-a05a-3b22f66ace49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_801551ed-f54d-46a7-9d9d-a8ea5952294b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_242bd68a-25ba-46bd-b74c-0998a615a9b3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0fa46220-843d-4391-a05a-3b22f66ace49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_242bd68a-25ba-46bd-b74c-0998a615a9b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_01958742-0b0d-4cc8-8e2b-8498791d3edf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0fa46220-843d-4391-a05a-3b22f66ace49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_01958742-0b0d-4cc8-8e2b-8498791d3edf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_ec35f861-bf5f-4903-a8f4-c0e509e844c0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0fa46220-843d-4391-a05a-3b22f66ace49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_ec35f861-bf5f-4903-a8f4-c0e509e844c0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_bd9c625c-ec6c-4b80-a750-884269d9f880" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0fa46220-843d-4391-a05a-3b22f66ace49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_bd9c625c-ec6c-4b80-a750-884269d9f880" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_184aed14-61b9-4e06-9053-fafe6fbeeff6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0fa46220-843d-4391-a05a-3b22f66ace49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_184aed14-61b9-4e06-9053-fafe6fbeeff6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_c88d39ef-2289-4109-a0e3-0adc32b8f911" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_e7c31165-a88f-4e52-a48d-4b6f21ea8492" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_c88d39ef-2289-4109-a0e3-0adc32b8f911" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_c88d39ef-2289-4109-a0e3-0adc32b8f911_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_c88d39ef-2289-4109-a0e3-0adc32b8f911" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_c88d39ef-2289-4109-a0e3-0adc32b8f911_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_916e91af-cee1-4559-9ac3-0c3b20891e3e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_c88d39ef-2289-4109-a0e3-0adc32b8f911" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_916e91af-cee1-4559-9ac3-0c3b20891e3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_63842bc7-4774-4a09-a990-58386175d38f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_916e91af-cee1-4559-9ac3-0c3b20891e3e" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_63842bc7-4774-4a09-a990-58386175d38f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustedBalanceMember_a0ad771d-792d-4040-8c28-364c91a9d58d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustedBalanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_916e91af-cee1-4559-9ac3-0c3b20891e3e" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustedBalanceMember_a0ad771d-792d-4040-8c28-364c91a9d58d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYunauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYunauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYunauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="i36e204c536884e9681fd1d9f2eef2ea0_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYunauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSunaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSunaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSunaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i237f9a95b33d4077b4449dac682bb29b_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSunaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentation" xlink:type="extended" id="i037e82fcfc9640f58eb0d4117791e9ff_NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentation"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="ied364689ecea4d7aaff27a2f863e4d30_NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#SignificantAccountingPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="i6026c961fe5f471891ce72c90b5152cb_SignificantAccountingPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="i7dfab45f7fc04269b20de8a6c257d585_SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if79e6b0156fb43ee8fff91b7ad788321_SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_d932c404-d2aa-45c0-abd1-be82ec354717" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_736926e5-46dc-480f-85fd-9f5d356be660" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_d932c404-d2aa-45c0-abd1-be82ec354717" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_736926e5-46dc-480f-85fd-9f5d356be660" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_6fb4a921-4002-4916-8662-7bc77e2e3e26" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_d932c404-d2aa-45c0-abd1-be82ec354717" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_6fb4a921-4002-4916-8662-7bc77e2e3e26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_ShortTermInvestmentMaturityPeriod_7661793f-f6eb-4762-875c-9924c7224335" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_ShortTermInvestmentMaturityPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_d932c404-d2aa-45c0-abd1-be82ec354717" xlink:to="loc_uve_ShortTermInvestmentMaturityPeriod_7661793f-f6eb-4762-875c-9924c7224335" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_856fcd1f-4bd3-4ac9-9e37-ea44e93526a3" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_d932c404-d2aa-45c0-abd1-be82ec354717" xlink:to="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_856fcd1f-4bd3-4ac9-9e37-ea44e93526a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2c360a3c-4dab-43d6-852d-770372264658" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_856fcd1f-4bd3-4ac9-9e37-ea44e93526a3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2c360a3c-4dab-43d6-852d-770372264658" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2c360a3c-4dab-43d6-852d-770372264658_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2c360a3c-4dab-43d6-852d-770372264658" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2c360a3c-4dab-43d6-852d-770372264658_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_e952502e-f5aa-466a-897b-846c04aeddcd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2c360a3c-4dab-43d6-852d-770372264658" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_e952502e-f5aa-466a-897b-846c04aeddcd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_f1371614-96bd-4f0a-a179-09a915caae40" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_e952502e-f5aa-466a-897b-846c04aeddcd" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_f1371614-96bd-4f0a-a179-09a915caae40" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_9acc92b7-3632-4685-8d84-4fe6a0ccfc90" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_uve_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_856fcd1f-4bd3-4ac9-9e37-ea44e93526a3" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_9acc92b7-3632-4685-8d84-4fe6a0ccfc90" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_9acc92b7-3632-4685-8d84-4fe6a0ccfc90_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_9acc92b7-3632-4685-8d84-4fe6a0ccfc90" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_9acc92b7-3632-4685-8d84-4fe6a0ccfc90_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_5d5d3748-103c-43fc-a8ed-64121048b38c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_9acc92b7-3632-4685-8d84-4fe6a0ccfc90" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_5d5d3748-103c-43fc-a8ed-64121048b38c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_00a2ed0e-bf4b-4632-b40b-e92e747b27f9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_5d5d3748-103c-43fc-a8ed-64121048b38c" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_00a2ed0e-bf4b-4632-b40b-e92e747b27f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/Investments" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#Investments"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/Investments" xlink:type="extended" id="id0242ee4a5f14b95a74652983007d6ce_Investments"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i172457cfe1e04fc9a45b763ee48a7288_InvestmentsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsCostorAmortizedCostandFairValueofSecuritiesAvailableforSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsCostorAmortizedCostandFairValueofSecuritiesAvailableforSaleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsCostorAmortizedCostandFairValueofSecuritiesAvailableforSaleDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia70bc423abb540b4b025cde4868d8d20_InvestmentsCostorAmortizedCostandFairValueofSecuritiesAvailableforSaleDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_3a4a5c33-30f0-4015-8299-cde824b1f8b7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_ed03dfce-5b50-4442-829b-c963c67e7fbb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_3a4a5c33-30f0-4015-8299-cde824b1f8b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_ed03dfce-5b50-4442-829b-c963c67e7fbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_d42216a3-0eac-4219-a275-9654f652cc0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_3a4a5c33-30f0-4015-8299-cde824b1f8b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_d42216a3-0eac-4219-a275-9654f652cc0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_d51525e5-4580-42e5-bdbd-b566fda33b95" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_3a4a5c33-30f0-4015-8299-cde824b1f8b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_d51525e5-4580-42e5-bdbd-b566fda33b95" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_59ec1ad6-6b03-416c-9754-6d9331921ca7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_3a4a5c33-30f0-4015-8299-cde824b1f8b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_59ec1ad6-6b03-416c-9754-6d9331921ca7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_acb0ba47-efec-4d36-a9e2-993d0ee0df40" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_3a4a5c33-30f0-4015-8299-cde824b1f8b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_acb0ba47-efec-4d36-a9e2-993d0ee0df40" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_3fefa5e7-c0f7-498a-ad60-29a28d60fc0c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_3a4a5c33-30f0-4015-8299-cde824b1f8b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_3fefa5e7-c0f7-498a-ad60-29a28d60fc0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_ddc8d90c-0e35-4de2-bfda-3b1c6b7f3663" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_3fefa5e7-c0f7-498a-ad60-29a28d60fc0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_ddc8d90c-0e35-4de2-bfda-3b1c6b7f3663" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ddc8d90c-0e35-4de2-bfda-3b1c6b7f3663_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_ddc8d90c-0e35-4de2-bfda-3b1c6b7f3663" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ddc8d90c-0e35-4de2-bfda-3b1c6b7f3663_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f295d1c9-bf8f-4d49-941e-8716ed52e01a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_ddc8d90c-0e35-4de2-bfda-3b1c6b7f3663" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f295d1c9-bf8f-4d49-941e-8716ed52e01a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember_1d57061a-22ce-4da5-bf92-edd576cdeda0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f295d1c9-bf8f-4d49-941e-8716ed52e01a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember_1d57061a-22ce-4da5-bf92-edd576cdeda0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_e74d379a-aaa4-411d-a848-67f97cb1b0d8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f295d1c9-bf8f-4d49-941e-8716ed52e01a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_e74d379a-aaa4-411d-a848-67f97cb1b0d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember_28dd6d6d-2338-4dba-ae08-ade3d82d78ce" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f295d1c9-bf8f-4d49-941e-8716ed52e01a" xlink:to="loc_uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember_28dd6d6d-2338-4dba-ae08-ade3d82d78ce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_c168e3f7-e7d7-4e7d-ba13-11e0d40848d2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f295d1c9-bf8f-4d49-941e-8716ed52e01a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_c168e3f7-e7d7-4e7d-ba13-11e0d40848d2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember_9a483377-af18-495d-960f-ff321f5995d3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f295d1c9-bf8f-4d49-941e-8716ed52e01a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember_9a483377-af18-495d-960f-ff321f5995d3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_ecb2084a-985b-41e3-95c4-93c515b050f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_3fefa5e7-c0f7-498a-ad60-29a28d60fc0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_ecb2084a-985b-41e3-95c4-93c515b050f1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_ecb2084a-985b-41e3-95c4-93c515b050f1_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_ecb2084a-985b-41e3-95c4-93c515b050f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_ecb2084a-985b-41e3-95c4-93c515b050f1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f6c872a9-7e81-4261-b780-1ca351ef645a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_ecb2084a-985b-41e3-95c4-93c515b050f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f6c872a9-7e81-4261-b780-1ca351ef645a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_34691f2f-7531-4619-ab08-3f924b990c61" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f6c872a9-7e81-4261-b780-1ca351ef645a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_34691f2f-7531-4619-ab08-3f924b990c61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofCreditQualityofInvestmentSecuritiesWithContractualMaturitiesorTheIssuerofSuchSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsScheduleofCreditQualityofInvestmentSecuritiesWithContractualMaturitiesorTheIssuerofSuchSecuritiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofCreditQualityofInvestmentSecuritiesWithContractualMaturitiesorTheIssuerofSuchSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2e1effc3d0404ad7b10b9b41ea9d7e37_InvestmentsScheduleofCreditQualityofInvestmentSecuritiesWithContractualMaturitiesorTheIssuerofSuchSecuritiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_d74d78fc-9dd7-4645-b6fc-03615c9cb4ff" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturities_60b1b202-4f10-4fe5-ab79-9c59debb470e" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_d74d78fc-9dd7-4645-b6fc-03615c9cb4ff" xlink:to="loc_uve_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturities_60b1b202-4f10-4fe5-ab79-9c59debb470e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_FixedMaturitiesFairValuePercentage_09493436-c1be-4fb1-acfe-b3c46371d080" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_FixedMaturitiesFairValuePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_d74d78fc-9dd7-4645-b6fc-03615c9cb4ff" xlink:to="loc_uve_FixedMaturitiesFairValuePercentage_09493436-c1be-4fb1-acfe-b3c46371d080" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_17aa4d51-685a-448c-a024-8008916c4161" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_d74d78fc-9dd7-4645-b6fc-03615c9cb4ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_17aa4d51-685a-448c-a024-8008916c4161" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis_e0b75ee8-602c-40a0-b359-0e2bdc0e5fb5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_17aa4d51-685a-448c-a024-8008916c4161" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis_e0b75ee8-602c-40a0-b359-0e2bdc0e5fb5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_e0b75ee8-602c-40a0-b359-0e2bdc0e5fb5_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis_e0b75ee8-602c-40a0-b359-0e2bdc0e5fb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_e0b75ee8-602c-40a0-b359-0e2bdc0e5fb5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_f1f522e1-902e-4182-97ca-be31a143960a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis_e0b75ee8-602c-40a0-b359-0e2bdc0e5fb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_f1f522e1-902e-4182-97ca-be31a143960a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AAAComparableRatingMember_6e93f3c9-c54c-4b73-ac55-334730255eef" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AAAComparableRatingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_f1f522e1-902e-4182-97ca-be31a143960a" xlink:to="loc_uve_AAAComparableRatingMember_6e93f3c9-c54c-4b73-ac55-334730255eef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AAComparableRatingMember_87d310f7-4424-4be6-a071-849012125de9" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AAComparableRatingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_f1f522e1-902e-4182-97ca-be31a143960a" xlink:to="loc_uve_AAComparableRatingMember_87d310f7-4424-4be6-a071-849012125de9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AComparableRatingMember_99317025-0a66-48e3-909d-676cd065d798" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AComparableRatingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_f1f522e1-902e-4182-97ca-be31a143960a" xlink:to="loc_uve_AComparableRatingMember_99317025-0a66-48e3-909d-676cd065d798" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_BBBComparableRatingMember_9fceb860-c2c1-4fe7-b77a-e7977ba12692" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_BBBComparableRatingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_f1f522e1-902e-4182-97ca-be31a143960a" xlink:to="loc_uve_BBBComparableRatingMember_9fceb860-c2c1-4fe7-b77a-e7977ba12692" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_BBAndBelowComparableRatingMember_a1521402-7272-4ae5-94bf-df6f2fb2f219" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_BBAndBelowComparableRatingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_f1f522e1-902e-4182-97ca-be31a143960a" xlink:to="loc_uve_BBAndBelowComparableRatingMember_a1521402-7272-4ae5-94bf-df6f2fb2f219" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_NotRatedMember_492da1d7-a673-4ae2-a528-9ff3589fa6b7" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_NotRatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_f1f522e1-902e-4182-97ca-be31a143960a" xlink:to="loc_uve_NotRatedMember_492da1d7-a673-4ae2-a528-9ff3589fa6b7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofAmortizedCostandFairValueonMortgageBackedandAssetBackedSecuritiesDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsScheduleofAmortizedCostandFairValueonMortgageBackedandAssetBackedSecuritiesDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofAmortizedCostandFairValueonMortgageBackedandAssetBackedSecuritiesDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i4749858b59c948179c9ba5e3ec9987bd_InvestmentsScheduleofAmortizedCostandFairValueonMortgageBackedandAssetBackedSecuritiesDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_4fe3e7e2-7c6f-442c-9cc4-5a548ef58097" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_a468af8a-aa0b-461d-9dee-5f316ef0da29" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_4fe3e7e2-7c6f-442c-9cc4-5a548ef58097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_a468af8a-aa0b-461d-9dee-5f316ef0da29" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_bebf2aec-1d30-4353-b7a2-741a9100d2bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_4fe3e7e2-7c6f-442c-9cc4-5a548ef58097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_bebf2aec-1d30-4353-b7a2-741a9100d2bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_fee127a0-7c50-48fc-aace-b0f1cdfc9439" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_4fe3e7e2-7c6f-442c-9cc4-5a548ef58097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_fee127a0-7c50-48fc-aace-b0f1cdfc9439" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_d938630e-4ea0-49f8-b067-4e68a45b0230" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_fee127a0-7c50-48fc-aace-b0f1cdfc9439" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_d938630e-4ea0-49f8-b067-4e68a45b0230" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_d938630e-4ea0-49f8-b067-4e68a45b0230_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_d938630e-4ea0-49f8-b067-4e68a45b0230" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_d938630e-4ea0-49f8-b067-4e68a45b0230_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_96078696-a4af-46e9-8b83-e376c3982abb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_d938630e-4ea0-49f8-b067-4e68a45b0230" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_96078696-a4af-46e9-8b83-e376c3982abb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AgencySecuritiesMember_ad2642d0-a57b-4786-9871-23e19c031cdd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AgencySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_96078696-a4af-46e9-8b83-e376c3982abb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AgencySecuritiesMember_ad2642d0-a57b-4786-9871-23e19c031cdd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_NonAgencyMember_fe80f946-91df-44cc-9727-de77f5e89df2" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_NonAgencyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_96078696-a4af-46e9-8b83-e376c3982abb" xlink:to="loc_uve_NonAgencyMember_fe80f946-91df-44cc-9727-de77f5e89df2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CollateralizedAutoLoansMember_01603fc0-bc96-49b4-ab0e-8c23dbf6c03e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollateralizedAutoLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_96078696-a4af-46e9-8b83-e376c3982abb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CollateralizedAutoLoansMember_01603fc0-bc96-49b4-ab0e-8c23dbf6c03e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CollateralizedCreditCardSecuritiesMember_ff2b9251-1dc5-49a4-ba44-eec0116f88be" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollateralizedCreditCardSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_96078696-a4af-46e9-8b83-e376c3982abb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CollateralizedCreditCardSecuritiesMember_ff2b9251-1dc5-49a4-ba44-eec0116f88be" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CollateralizedSecuritiesOtherMember_61582f3e-1170-48ad-af4f-c30fda387d69" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollateralizedSecuritiesOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_96078696-a4af-46e9-8b83-e376c3982abb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CollateralizedSecuritiesOtherMember_61582f3e-1170-48ad-af4f-c30fda387d69" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_b71204f1-9f98-4797-882f-7572174f3878" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_fee127a0-7c50-48fc-aace-b0f1cdfc9439" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_b71204f1-9f98-4797-882f-7572174f3878" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_b71204f1-9f98-4797-882f-7572174f3878_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_b71204f1-9f98-4797-882f-7572174f3878" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_b71204f1-9f98-4797-882f-7572174f3878_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_c296ac99-6925-4200-8263-ead7cf44c024" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_b71204f1-9f98-4797-882f-7572174f3878" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_c296ac99-6925-4200-8263-ead7cf44c024" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01896546-126d-4285-8bcb-287f4410b179" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_c296ac99-6925-4200-8263-ead7cf44c024" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01896546-126d-4285-8bcb-287f4410b179" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember_2d2441de-15d8-48d4-b758-ed03d1fb0ebd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_c296ac99-6925-4200-8263-ead7cf44c024" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember_2d2441de-15d8-48d4-b758-ed03d1fb0ebd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember_17e47f1c-7cd3-45f7-9d13-175b0cf42a78" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_c296ac99-6925-4200-8263-ead7cf44c024" xlink:to="loc_uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember_17e47f1c-7cd3-45f7-9d13-175b0cf42a78" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsSummarizedFairValueandGrossUnrealizedLossesonAvailableforsaleDebtSecuritiesDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsSummarizedFairValueandGrossUnrealizedLossesonAvailableforsaleDebtSecuritiesDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsSummarizedFairValueandGrossUnrealizedLossesonAvailableforsaleDebtSecuritiesDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="icb9da5792cd54b528cacdedaf0dac4b7_InvestmentsSummarizedFairValueandGrossUnrealizedLossesonAvailableforsaleDebtSecuritiesDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_c5837e7f-c777-4f08-9b35-d5f78ac70799" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_2ea2b7f5-fcf9-4e1d-9c63-e96cea13576f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_c5837e7f-c777-4f08-9b35-d5f78ac70799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_2ea2b7f5-fcf9-4e1d-9c63-e96cea13576f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months_19fbebce-5b42-4bf6-a4d2-71491cfc8fb2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_c5837e7f-c777-4f08-9b35-d5f78ac70799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months_19fbebce-5b42-4bf6-a4d2-71491cfc8fb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_a8892589-cf07-4172-8013-2c49b25affeb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_c5837e7f-c777-4f08-9b35-d5f78ac70799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_a8892589-cf07-4172-8013-2c49b25affeb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerNumberOfPositions_0988f29a-8fb6-449f-8e7d-5d4073cfb29e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerNumberOfPositions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_c5837e7f-c777-4f08-9b35-d5f78ac70799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerNumberOfPositions_0988f29a-8fb6-449f-8e7d-5d4073cfb29e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_f095e277-81b1-40d1-a99d-2232bb809b6c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_c5837e7f-c777-4f08-9b35-d5f78ac70799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_f095e277-81b1-40d1-a99d-2232bb809b6c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss_57679b91-0bfb-4d25-bd0c-e07ed26c69e3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_c5837e7f-c777-4f08-9b35-d5f78ac70799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss_57679b91-0bfb-4d25-bd0c-e07ed26c69e3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_e1fcb6fd-4c2a-4e2a-97bc-85a0c31b7f17" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_c5837e7f-c777-4f08-9b35-d5f78ac70799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_e1fcb6fd-4c2a-4e2a-97bc-85a0c31b7f17" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_3cc2a49f-0f6f-4782-aa3e-0d43ac353287" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_e1fcb6fd-4c2a-4e2a-97bc-85a0c31b7f17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_3cc2a49f-0f6f-4782-aa3e-0d43ac353287" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_3cc2a49f-0f6f-4782-aa3e-0d43ac353287_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_3cc2a49f-0f6f-4782-aa3e-0d43ac353287" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_3cc2a49f-0f6f-4782-aa3e-0d43ac353287_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_9c815350-bf52-4de7-9e58-edc955ffe26c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_3cc2a49f-0f6f-4782-aa3e-0d43ac353287" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_9c815350-bf52-4de7-9e58-edc955ffe26c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_594cae1a-d514-429e-b580-f2c371c873b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_9c815350-bf52-4de7-9e58-edc955ffe26c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_594cae1a-d514-429e-b580-f2c371c873b9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_218793aa-7619-4a1b-b55a-6d864850010b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_e1fcb6fd-4c2a-4e2a-97bc-85a0c31b7f17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_218793aa-7619-4a1b-b55a-6d864850010b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_218793aa-7619-4a1b-b55a-6d864850010b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_218793aa-7619-4a1b-b55a-6d864850010b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_218793aa-7619-4a1b-b55a-6d864850010b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_02592fb0-80d4-4925-91f6-8580a9c3da1c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_218793aa-7619-4a1b-b55a-6d864850010b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_02592fb0-80d4-4925-91f6-8580a9c3da1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember_934be2f7-a44e-4623-a82e-0452ad8875c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_02592fb0-80d4-4925-91f6-8580a9c3da1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember_934be2f7-a44e-4623-a82e-0452ad8875c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_ed499269-dfe6-4100-87e3-527186ce4418" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_02592fb0-80d4-4925-91f6-8580a9c3da1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_ed499269-dfe6-4100-87e3-527186ce4418" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember_feecab50-ed3f-4ab9-becc-f4311c175928" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_02592fb0-80d4-4925-91f6-8580a9c3da1c" xlink:to="loc_uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember_feecab50-ed3f-4ab9-becc-f4311c175928" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_23a1d897-0df5-4e2b-afb9-ba26c05bf726" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_02592fb0-80d4-4925-91f6-8580a9c3da1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_23a1d897-0df5-4e2b-afb9-ba26c05bf726" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember_ce6b7493-063e-42e3-9fe8-44824510e42c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_02592fb0-80d4-4925-91f6-8580a9c3da1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember_ce6b7493-063e-42e3-9fe8-44824510e42c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsAFSAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsAFSAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsAFSAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4253e15235834d8096340aa90191b515_InvestmentsAFSAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAllowanceForCreditLossLineItems_b7b25bea-08f8-4b41-9fe0-8c7c1368d4a7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAllowanceForCreditLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossRollForward_6b60a40e-2bc9-4a93-a851-58e846929732" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAllowanceForCreditLossLineItems_b7b25bea-08f8-4b41-9fe0-8c7c1368d4a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossRollForward_6b60a40e-2bc9-4a93-a851-58e846929732" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_429bdf8c-749a-41d5-9767-f1dc2de4e823" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossRollForward_6b60a40e-2bc9-4a93-a851-58e846929732" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_429bdf8c-749a-41d5-9767-f1dc2de4e823" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossPeriodIncreaseDecrease_204c3d56-5422-460a-8c30-9611c4c7747e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossPeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossRollForward_6b60a40e-2bc9-4a93-a851-58e846929732" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossPeriodIncreaseDecrease_204c3d56-5422-460a-8c30-9611c4c7747e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_52bc54b4-91c0-4e19-8253-c4f6300755be" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable_126a0989-ce4a-4384-88f1-5cf479b5f997" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAllowanceForCreditLossLineItems_b7b25bea-08f8-4b41-9fe0-8c7c1368d4a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable_126a0989-ce4a-4384-88f1-5cf479b5f997" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_aea571c3-bbca-4b5a-81b2-27b86f47d091" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable_126a0989-ce4a-4384-88f1-5cf479b5f997" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_aea571c3-bbca-4b5a-81b2-27b86f47d091" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_aea571c3-bbca-4b5a-81b2-27b86f47d091_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_aea571c3-bbca-4b5a-81b2-27b86f47d091" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_aea571c3-bbca-4b5a-81b2-27b86f47d091_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_d01bd1c8-c2ba-4058-a24d-1fcf8002d3f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_aea571c3-bbca-4b5a-81b2-27b86f47d091" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_d01bd1c8-c2ba-4058-a24d-1fcf8002d3f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_63bc4167-8374-4dfa-b610-08f72984bce7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_d01bd1c8-c2ba-4058-a24d-1fcf8002d3f6" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_63bc4167-8374-4dfa-b610-08f72984bce7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_6a401014-f75c-45bf-bab7-40cc93b2c357" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable_126a0989-ce4a-4384-88f1-5cf479b5f997" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_6a401014-f75c-45bf-bab7-40cc93b2c357" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_6a401014-f75c-45bf-bab7-40cc93b2c357_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_6a401014-f75c-45bf-bab7-40cc93b2c357" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_6a401014-f75c-45bf-bab7-40cc93b2c357_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_72d4a6de-f754-4ab5-b97a-efb93922bae3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_6a401014-f75c-45bf-bab7-40cc93b2c357" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_72d4a6de-f754-4ab5-b97a-efb93922bae3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember_7594e1a3-a617-425c-af45-c7cf24c84e9f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_72d4a6de-f754-4ab5-b97a-efb93922bae3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember_7594e1a3-a617-425c-af45-c7cf24c84e9f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember_b3e511d3-a79c-4514-bb6c-bf3d8f412a4e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_72d4a6de-f754-4ab5-b97a-efb93922bae3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember_b3e511d3-a79c-4514-bb6c-bf3d8f412a4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsAmortizedCostandFairValueofInvestmentsWithContractualMaturitiesDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsAmortizedCostandFairValueofInvestmentsWithContractualMaturitiesDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsAmortizedCostandFairValueofInvestmentsWithContractualMaturitiesDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i2ceddcc6db374e7ba73a4b555033f616_InvestmentsAmortizedCostandFairValueofInvestmentsWithContractualMaturitiesDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsSummaryofAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesandEquitySecuritiesDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsSummaryofAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesandEquitySecuritiesDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsSummaryofAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesandEquitySecuritiesDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i996800d568cd4b66809756594759f935_InvestmentsSummaryofAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesandEquitySecuritiesDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsInvestmentIncomeExpenseComprisedPrimarilyofInterestandDividendsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsInvestmentIncomeExpenseComprisedPrimarilyofInterestandDividendsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsInvestmentIncomeExpenseComprisedPrimarilyofInterestandDividendsDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i956a0588bed543b6a8ce57541d53b0b1_InvestmentsInvestmentIncomeExpenseComprisedPrimarilyofInterestandDividendsDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_32eba69d-0cfe-434a-8e63-39ac8f6573d5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating_8a1d2cdb-fffa-44c4-8271-6186592d0527" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_32eba69d-0cfe-434a-8e63-39ac8f6573d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating_8a1d2cdb-fffa-44c4-8271-6186592d0527" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating_33aa513f-e001-4cbc-89e6-2a12e0ee637d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_32eba69d-0cfe-434a-8e63-39ac8f6573d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating_33aa513f-e001-4cbc-89e6-2a12e0ee637d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense_1baf184d-e426-42ff-a0b9-73c6015d67c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_32eba69d-0cfe-434a-8e63-39ac8f6573d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense_1baf184d-e426-42ff-a0b9-73c6015d67c5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_12518630-2f23-4d46-9e68-8719cdd7b360" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_32eba69d-0cfe-434a-8e63-39ac8f6573d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_12518630-2f23-4d46-9e68-8719cdd7b360" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_b663585d-9dea-4ea5-87ae-6e7b214f8cac" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_32eba69d-0cfe-434a-8e63-39ac8f6573d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_b663585d-9dea-4ea5-87ae-6e7b214f8cac" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_263a58ab-ada4-4017-b3f6-9416ade7e66a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_b663585d-9dea-4ea5-87ae-6e7b214f8cac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_263a58ab-ada4-4017-b3f6-9416ade7e66a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_263a58ab-ada4-4017-b3f6-9416ade7e66a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_263a58ab-ada4-4017-b3f6-9416ade7e66a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_263a58ab-ada4-4017-b3f6-9416ade7e66a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b08b65b9-af42-403f-bb97-fc1cfe3c664f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_263a58ab-ada4-4017-b3f6-9416ade7e66a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b08b65b9-af42-403f-bb97-fc1cfe3c664f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_90b9372f-fbff-48dc-858f-45d51e3ed6bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b08b65b9-af42-403f-bb97-fc1cfe3c664f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_90b9372f-fbff-48dc-858f-45d51e3ed6bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_5d91116a-153a-49db-b9e5-e3cb54978ca6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b08b65b9-af42-403f-bb97-fc1cfe3c664f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_5d91116a-153a-49db-b9e5-e3cb54978ca6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_b0594caf-daff-4804-b3e6-b9eb70fe6981" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b08b65b9-af42-403f-bb97-fc1cfe3c664f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_b0594caf-daff-4804-b3e6-b9eb70fe6981" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherThanSecuritiesInvestmentMember_9f86f23f-2175-450c-b665-392ecbcf201c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherThanSecuritiesInvestmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b08b65b9-af42-403f-bb97-fc1cfe3c664f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherThanSecuritiesInvestmentMember_9f86f23f-2175-450c-b665-392ecbcf201c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsSummaryofDetailsonRealizedandUnrealizedGainsandLossesRelatedtoEquitySecuritiesDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsSummaryofDetailsonRealizedandUnrealizedGainsandLossesRelatedtoEquitySecuritiesDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsSummaryofDetailsonRealizedandUnrealizedGainsandLossesRelatedtoEquitySecuritiesDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i37f4199d74804b0498fbe9f0378fab39_InvestmentsSummaryofDetailsonRealizedandUnrealizedGainsandLossesRelatedtoEquitySecuritiesDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_c73cf7c4-5708-433e-9b42-9361f632b3b8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss_354c8f3f-504c-4fbf-af06-59f527bbcb6c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_c73cf7c4-5708-433e-9b42-9361f632b3b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss_354c8f3f-504c-4fbf-af06-59f527bbcb6c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_812557b8-a3e8-46a9-86d0-44836b3db950" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_c73cf7c4-5708-433e-9b42-9361f632b3b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_812557b8-a3e8-46a9-86d0-44836b3db950" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_f4b6e943-db51-4099-a869-592362526375" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_812557b8-a3e8-46a9-86d0-44836b3db950" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_f4b6e943-db51-4099-a869-592362526375" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f4b6e943-db51-4099-a869-592362526375_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_f4b6e943-db51-4099-a869-592362526375" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f4b6e943-db51-4099-a869-592362526375_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_c2b343a8-2a20-458d-88a9-4a1c8416d42c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_f4b6e943-db51-4099-a869-592362526375" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_c2b343a8-2a20-458d-88a9-4a1c8416d42c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_5ce8c22b-5b35-4353-9744-8c1cf5441e82" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_c2b343a8-2a20-458d-88a9-4a1c8416d42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_5ce8c22b-5b35-4353-9744-8c1cf5441e82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofRealEstateInvestmentDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsScheduleofRealEstateInvestmentDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofRealEstateInvestmentDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i40ad7e878d0f442caf396f07433984fa_InvestmentsScheduleofRealEstateInvestmentDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_4980b62f-b336-484b-9728-0ca61e9b9b2b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_1471b550-a6a2-4fbe-ad4c-b6ded4c16e99" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_4980b62f-b336-484b-9728-0ca61e9b9b2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_1471b550-a6a2-4fbe-ad4c-b6ded4c16e99" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation_a353651a-c2db-4d26-8445-d9b80fd62281" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_4980b62f-b336-484b-9728-0ca61e9b9b2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation_a353651a-c2db-4d26-8445-d9b80fd62281" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_eb5ddc04-e8f6-4028-b893-f6e9b9c2ffe0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_4980b62f-b336-484b-9728-0ca61e9b9b2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_eb5ddc04-e8f6-4028-b893-f6e9b9c2ffe0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_9625aeb9-b8f7-476b-9aed-29d3479240b1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_4980b62f-b336-484b-9728-0ca61e9b9b2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_9625aeb9-b8f7-476b-9aed-29d3479240b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_fb8daa27-c3ee-4da6-9926-008104278f21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_9625aeb9-b8f7-476b-9aed-29d3479240b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_fb8daa27-c3ee-4da6-9926-008104278f21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_fb8daa27-c3ee-4da6-9926-008104278f21_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_fb8daa27-c3ee-4da6-9926-008104278f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_fb8daa27-c3ee-4da6-9926-008104278f21_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b0d67da7-58a1-41be-a8ef-3725c0f0e6f2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_fb8daa27-c3ee-4da6-9926-008104278f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b0d67da7-58a1-41be-a8ef-3725c0f0e6f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_IncomeProducingMember_5c5d4e81-5dfa-400a-9c08-919396261637" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_IncomeProducingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b0d67da7-58a1-41be-a8ef-3725c0f0e6f2" xlink:to="loc_uve_IncomeProducingMember_5c5d4e81-5dfa-400a-9c08-919396261637" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_NonIncomeProducingMember_d66f4118-7c21-4e36-8d7d-6830e3d98659" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_NonIncomeProducingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b0d67da7-58a1-41be-a8ef-3725c0f0e6f2" xlink:to="loc_uve_NonIncomeProducingMember_d66f4118-7c21-4e36-8d7d-6830e3d98659" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9ccb5fde6b5945529489b831d5e412b0_InvestmentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofDepreciationExpenseRelatedtoInvestmentRealEstateDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsScheduleofDepreciationExpenseRelatedtoInvestmentRealEstateDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofDepreciationExpenseRelatedtoInvestmentRealEstateDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i3ee63ec947d149128efe1d30036e92d6_InvestmentsScheduleofDepreciationExpenseRelatedtoInvestmentRealEstateDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_0af29f16-eb36-4bb0-b1f5-97a182faee0e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_1466f946-cd1c-473c-be9c-61b25c68525a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_0af29f16-eb36-4bb0-b1f5-97a182faee0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_1466f946-cd1c-473c-be9c-61b25c68525a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_a32cd665-55b9-46b1-b337-9e312e018929" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_0af29f16-eb36-4bb0-b1f5-97a182faee0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_a32cd665-55b9-46b1-b337-9e312e018929" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_46b08078-fc4b-435b-b989-fbb3d4e32e57" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_a32cd665-55b9-46b1-b337-9e312e018929" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_46b08078-fc4b-435b-b989-fbb3d4e32e57" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_46b08078-fc4b-435b-b989-fbb3d4e32e57_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_46b08078-fc4b-435b-b989-fbb3d4e32e57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_46b08078-fc4b-435b-b989-fbb3d4e32e57_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_543d40be-c0d7-4dd2-a0be-83ae14fb1469" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_46b08078-fc4b-435b-b989-fbb3d4e32e57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_543d40be-c0d7-4dd2-a0be-83ae14fb1469" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember_c9764c07-2136-4737-b592-eb05a1a0477e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_543d40be-c0d7-4dd2-a0be-83ae14fb1469" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember_c9764c07-2136-4737-b592-eb05a1a0477e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/Reinsurance" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#Reinsurance"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/Reinsurance" xlink:type="extended" id="ia8ceee5d916c4e029a800694a3ea60cc_Reinsurance"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsuranceTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#ReinsuranceTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsuranceTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ia9ca6a875b824b60b432d34b563e43af_ReinsuranceTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsuranceAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#ReinsuranceAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsuranceAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="icec8a9a18c7c4e5fb9375a8f912fe12c_ReinsuranceAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_cce1af38-4300-4bac-a008-4bab7b97dd88" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_8f164781-f81b-4f70-a8be-ff2875cb224f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_cce1af38-4300-4bac-a008-4bab7b97dd88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_8f164781-f81b-4f70-a8be-ff2875cb224f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_51280200-53ed-4635-8f64-226e01b22bd5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_cce1af38-4300-4bac-a008-4bab7b97dd88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_51280200-53ed-4635-8f64-226e01b22bd5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_dd11c6e2-238f-452e-9895-1e358c762c14" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_51280200-53ed-4635-8f64-226e01b22bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_dd11c6e2-238f-452e-9895-1e358c762c14" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_dd11c6e2-238f-452e-9895-1e358c762c14_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_dd11c6e2-238f-452e-9895-1e358c762c14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_dd11c6e2-238f-452e-9895-1e358c762c14_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_8837aeaf-703d-467f-bc88-ee41d6389007" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_dd11c6e2-238f-452e-9895-1e358c762c14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_8837aeaf-703d-467f-bc88-ee41d6389007" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityTotalMember_0ba29b76-6f33-4622-bcbb-fc778ecd6999" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityTotalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_8837aeaf-703d-467f-bc88-ee41d6389007" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityTotalMember_0ba29b76-6f33-4622-bcbb-fc778ecd6999" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_9699f0f5-fe27-4439-a790-cbb70e042a33" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_51280200-53ed-4635-8f64-226e01b22bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_9699f0f5-fe27-4439-a790-cbb70e042a33" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_9699f0f5-fe27-4439-a790-cbb70e042a33_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_9699f0f5-fe27-4439-a790-cbb70e042a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_9699f0f5-fe27-4439-a790-cbb70e042a33_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_9b8f8d37-bc37-41a2-adfc-411e15ac8bee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_9699f0f5-fe27-4439-a790-cbb70e042a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_9b8f8d37-bc37-41a2-adfc-411e15ac8bee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AmountsDueFromReinsurersMember_d68e7a52-d3ce-4778-8615-58973ba8c7ac" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AmountsDueFromReinsurersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_9b8f8d37-bc37-41a2-adfc-411e15ac8bee" xlink:to="loc_uve_AmountsDueFromReinsurersMember_d68e7a52-d3ce-4778-8615-58973ba8c7ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsuranceCurrentRatingsfromRatingAgenciesandUnsecuredNetAmountsDuefromInsuranceEntitiesReinsurersWhoseAggregateBalanceExceeded3ofStockholdersEquityDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#ReinsuranceCurrentRatingsfromRatingAgenciesandUnsecuredNetAmountsDuefromInsuranceEntitiesReinsurersWhoseAggregateBalanceExceeded3ofStockholdersEquityDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsuranceCurrentRatingsfromRatingAgenciesandUnsecuredNetAmountsDuefromInsuranceEntitiesReinsurersWhoseAggregateBalanceExceeded3ofStockholdersEquityDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i760ad1ff084047ccaf315ebd57f3b7c8_ReinsuranceCurrentRatingsfromRatingAgenciesandUnsecuredNetAmountsDuefromInsuranceEntitiesReinsurersWhoseAggregateBalanceExceeded3ofStockholdersEquityDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskLineItems_2f591a62-5cd3-46b4-8dfb-30a3e00bad72" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CededCreditRiskLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_ReinsuranceUnsecuredAmountsDueFromReinsurers_93485571-6742-4aaa-b39c-7d23adc0114c" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_ReinsuranceUnsecuredAmountsDueFromReinsurers"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskLineItems_2f591a62-5cd3-46b4-8dfb-30a3e00bad72" xlink:to="loc_uve_ReinsuranceUnsecuredAmountsDueFromReinsurers_93485571-6742-4aaa-b39c-7d23adc0114c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskTable_b3d8b036-099d-4b5c-9572-43dcfcb860cd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CededCreditRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskLineItems_2f591a62-5cd3-46b4-8dfb-30a3e00bad72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskTable_b3d8b036-099d-4b5c-9572-43dcfcb860cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskAxis_8846226b-81fb-4065-ae97-b7eaa392bde4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CededCreditRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskTable_b3d8b036-099d-4b5c-9572-43dcfcb860cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskAxis_8846226b-81fb-4065-ae97-b7eaa392bde4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskReinsurerDomain_8846226b-81fb-4065-ae97-b7eaa392bde4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CededCreditRiskReinsurerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskAxis_8846226b-81fb-4065-ae97-b7eaa392bde4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskReinsurerDomain_8846226b-81fb-4065-ae97-b7eaa392bde4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskReinsurerDomain_9d3f736b-4de1-4fd5-8121-4b7a2e63c162" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CededCreditRiskReinsurerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskAxis_8846226b-81fb-4065-ae97-b7eaa392bde4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskReinsurerDomain_9d3f736b-4de1-4fd5-8121-4b7a2e63c162" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_FloridaHurricaneCatastropheFundMember_b860d7d5-6ff4-4b00-a0e7-2be2a157cab8" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_FloridaHurricaneCatastropheFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskReinsurerDomain_9d3f736b-4de1-4fd5-8121-4b7a2e63c162" xlink:to="loc_uve_FloridaHurricaneCatastropheFundMember_b860d7d5-6ff4-4b00-a0e7-2be2a157cab8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AllianzRiskTransferMember_e801b732-240b-4d92-9bc8-1d47c11eb820" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AllianzRiskTransferMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskReinsurerDomain_9d3f736b-4de1-4fd5-8121-4b7a2e63c162" xlink:to="loc_uve_AllianzRiskTransferMember_e801b732-240b-4d92-9bc8-1d47c11eb820" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestAxis_0fb9d172-457a-498a-be96-1cf16b35713a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CreditRatingAMBestAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskTable_b3d8b036-099d-4b5c-9572-43dcfcb860cd" xlink:to="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestAxis_0fb9d172-457a-498a-be96-1cf16b35713a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestDomain_0fb9d172-457a-498a-be96-1cf16b35713a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CreditRatingAMBestDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestAxis_0fb9d172-457a-498a-be96-1cf16b35713a" xlink:to="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestDomain_0fb9d172-457a-498a-be96-1cf16b35713a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestDomain_0e2de209-fd17-4d10-84c9-0924105ffb6c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CreditRatingAMBestDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestAxis_0fb9d172-457a-498a-be96-1cf16b35713a" xlink:to="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestDomain_0e2de209-fd17-4d10-84c9-0924105ffb6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AMBestAPlusRatingMember_bfa6e2c8-3dda-4bcd-9660-91b56786588d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_AMBestAPlusRatingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CreditRatingAMBestDomain_0e2de209-fd17-4d10-84c9-0924105ffb6c" xlink:to="loc_srt_AMBestAPlusRatingMember_bfa6e2c8-3dda-4bcd-9660-91b56786588d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CreditRatingStandardPoorsAxis_357477e1-52df-4e39-8b33-ebd2331617a2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CreditRatingStandardPoorsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskTable_b3d8b036-099d-4b5c-9572-43dcfcb860cd" xlink:to="loc_srt_CreditRatingStandardPoorsAxis_357477e1-52df-4e39-8b33-ebd2331617a2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember_357477e1-52df-4e39-8b33-ebd2331617a2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CreditRatingStandardPoorsAxis_357477e1-52df-4e39-8b33-ebd2331617a2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember_357477e1-52df-4e39-8b33-ebd2331617a2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember_110d2b1e-2138-48ce-bba4-386234c2c870" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CreditRatingStandardPoorsAxis_357477e1-52df-4e39-8b33-ebd2331617a2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember_110d2b1e-2138-48ce-bba4-386234c2c870" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StandardPoorsAARatingMember_135af293-b673-4f54-adb6-c094a9fd45f5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_StandardPoorsAARatingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember_110d2b1e-2138-48ce-bba4-386234c2c870" xlink:to="loc_srt_StandardPoorsAARatingMember_135af293-b673-4f54-adb6-c094a9fd45f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CreditRatingMoodysAxis_a09b2e9c-8f67-4f42-8a34-0d93c980fa5a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CreditRatingMoodysAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CededCreditRiskTable_b3d8b036-099d-4b5c-9572-43dcfcb860cd" xlink:to="loc_srt_CreditRatingMoodysAxis_a09b2e9c-8f67-4f42-8a34-0d93c980fa5a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember_a09b2e9c-8f67-4f42-8a34-0d93c980fa5a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CreditRatingMoodysAxis_a09b2e9c-8f67-4f42-8a34-0d93c980fa5a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember_a09b2e9c-8f67-4f42-8a34-0d93c980fa5a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember_7699312f-bc02-4e1f-9db8-c3a88127b60f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CreditRatingMoodysAxis_a09b2e9c-8f67-4f42-8a34-0d93c980fa5a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember_7699312f-bc02-4e1f-9db8-c3a88127b60f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MoodysAa3RatingMember_9bb376e7-31da-4e2c-95ab-781a5b7678df" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MoodysAa3RatingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember_7699312f-bc02-4e1f-9db8-c3a88127b60f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MoodysAa3RatingMember_9bb376e7-31da-4e2c-95ab-781a5b7678df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsuranceInsuranceEntitiesReinsuranceArrangementsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#ReinsuranceInsuranceEntitiesReinsuranceArrangementsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsuranceInsuranceEntitiesReinsuranceArrangementsDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i764f7ac791bb4906912b5d953489783d_ReinsuranceInsuranceEntitiesReinsuranceArrangementsDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsurancePrepaidReinsurancePremiumsandReinsuranceRecoverableandReceivableDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#ReinsurancePrepaidReinsurancePremiumsandReinsuranceRecoverableandReceivableDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/ReinsurancePrepaidReinsurancePremiumsandReinsuranceRecoverableandReceivableDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="ie1cc8b0ebd8d4892b878f4bad094d3b1_ReinsurancePrepaidReinsurancePremiumsandReinsuranceRecoverableandReceivableDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperations" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InsuranceOperations"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperations" xlink:type="extended" id="i6d7e4499e27147d4834cc92e844a00a4_InsuranceOperations"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InsuranceOperationsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="if32933cee39049ef8c31633efef133c3_InsuranceOperationsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsBeginningandEndingBalancesandChangesinDPACDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InsuranceOperationsBeginningandEndingBalancesandChangesinDPACDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsBeginningandEndingBalancesandChangesinDPACDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i92c990d3d79143568dde66d93db0c841_InsuranceOperationsBeginningandEndingBalancesandChangesinDPACDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InsuranceOperationsAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i112ffedc13e94b49b52f76b78b06ca6f_InsuranceOperationsAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_c15ddf37-6486-423c-a592-616c4d35938d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryAmountAvailableForDividendPaymentsWithoutRegulatoryApproval_5b275b91-5aa4-494f-a3d8-0915768d6009" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryAmountAvailableForDividendPaymentsWithoutRegulatoryApproval"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_c15ddf37-6486-423c-a592-616c4d35938d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryAmountAvailableForDividendPaymentsWithoutRegulatoryApproval_5b275b91-5aa4-494f-a3d8-0915768d6009" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries_d056d3f1-5b78-4bc1-ac4c-c19f9f79e350" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_c15ddf37-6486-423c-a592-616c4d35938d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries_d056d3f1-5b78-4bc1-ac4c-c19f9f79e350" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_MinimumCapitalizationRate_812d68d9-29c6-48e5-8da9-f7ae063694d9" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_MinimumCapitalizationRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_c15ddf37-6486-423c-a592-616c4d35938d" xlink:to="loc_uve_MinimumCapitalizationRate_812d68d9-29c6-48e5-8da9-f7ae063694d9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusRequired_44f00bd1-3bb7-4487-853f-432ab736111a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusRequired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_c15ddf37-6486-423c-a592-616c4d35938d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusRequired_44f00bd1-3bb7-4487-853f-432ab736111a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DescriptionOfRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderInsuranceRegulations_8358747e-9a60-4a7f-9ea3-3db1c5459e3a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DescriptionOfRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderInsuranceRegulations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_c15ddf37-6486-423c-a592-616c4d35938d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DescriptionOfRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderInsuranceRegulations_8358747e-9a60-4a7f-9ea3-3db1c5459e3a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusCapitalContribution_c1a37544-f6c4-4f2a-8ef2-0a875770f456" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusCapitalContribution"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_c15ddf37-6486-423c-a592-616c4d35938d" xlink:to="loc_uve_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusCapitalContribution_c1a37544-f6c4-4f2a-8ef2-0a875770f456" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_c799be8a-f0ac-414b-a9c1-a51cd6e102ef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_c15ddf37-6486-423c-a592-616c4d35938d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_c799be8a-f0ac-414b-a9c1-a51cd6e102ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis_df604c60-5d82-4b1f-94ae-028438fa56bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_c799be8a-f0ac-414b-a9c1-a51cd6e102ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis_df604c60-5d82-4b1f-94ae-028438fa56bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_df604c60-5d82-4b1f-94ae-028438fa56bf_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis_df604c60-5d82-4b1f-94ae-028438fa56bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_df604c60-5d82-4b1f-94ae-028438fa56bf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_a6c0f48f-f322-44f7-96ec-64abf0ea33e6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis_df604c60-5d82-4b1f-94ae-028438fa56bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_a6c0f48f-f322-44f7-96ec-64abf0ea33e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_UniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_2709bed3-2f39-41d4-aa03-b9d53b078f0e" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_UniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_a6c0f48f-f322-44f7-96ec-64abf0ea33e6" xlink:to="loc_uve_UniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_2709bed3-2f39-41d4-aa03-b9d53b078f0e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_0627606c-7696-4cb2-8d04-63aca9d39a22" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_a6c0f48f-f322-44f7-96ec-64abf0ea33e6" xlink:to="loc_uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_0627606c-7696-4cb2-8d04-63aca9d39a22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyAndUniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_2374581c-0fd1-4ff5-8700-f0d533e86ab0" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyAndUniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_a6c0f48f-f322-44f7-96ec-64abf0ea33e6" xlink:to="loc_uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyAndUniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_2374581c-0fd1-4ff5-8700-f0d533e86ab0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_8637c2ed-f2d4-4b9b-90ad-db9ce879a510" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_c799be8a-f0ac-414b-a9c1-a51cd6e102ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_8637c2ed-f2d4-4b9b-90ad-db9ce879a510" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_8637c2ed-f2d4-4b9b-90ad-db9ce879a510_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_8637c2ed-f2d4-4b9b-90ad-db9ce879a510" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_8637c2ed-f2d4-4b9b-90ad-db9ce879a510_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_42238082-6f5b-435a-9d79-4ed88aa9f991" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_8637c2ed-f2d4-4b9b-90ad-db9ce879a510" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_42238082-6f5b-435a-9d79-4ed88aa9f991" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_8b391014-c94f-4085-be29-64d43ace922f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_42238082-6f5b-435a-9d79-4ed88aa9f991" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_8b391014-c94f-4085-be29-64d43ace922f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsStatutoryCapitalandSurplusandanAmountRepresentingTenPercentofTotalLiabilitiesforbothUPCICandAPPCICDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InsuranceOperationsStatutoryCapitalandSurplusandanAmountRepresentingTenPercentofTotalLiabilitiesforbothUPCICandAPPCICDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsStatutoryCapitalandSurplusandanAmountRepresentingTenPercentofTotalLiabilitiesforbothUPCICandAPPCICDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="ic1275a54a25c4f1faaf654dc940afe97_InsuranceOperationsStatutoryCapitalandSurplusandanAmountRepresentingTenPercentofTotalLiabilitiesforbothUPCICandAPPCICDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_27f0a652-0d10-4d47-9f8e-b3630012cee6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusBalance_3b0fa6c4-d0a0-4017-a831-3a3c2b85dc58" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusBalance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_27f0a652-0d10-4d47-9f8e-b3630012cee6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusBalance_3b0fa6c4-d0a0-4017-a831-3a3c2b85dc58" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTenPercentOfStatutoryLiabilitiesBalance_c0e251a2-521a-4059-b3fc-74a39a1f0b28" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTenPercentOfStatutoryLiabilitiesBalance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_27f0a652-0d10-4d47-9f8e-b3630012cee6" xlink:to="loc_uve_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTenPercentOfStatutoryLiabilitiesBalance_c0e251a2-521a-4059-b3fc-74a39a1f0b28" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_286a3a2b-76d6-44e0-91f1-33e786d1ed88" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_27f0a652-0d10-4d47-9f8e-b3630012cee6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_286a3a2b-76d6-44e0-91f1-33e786d1ed88" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis_6d0ac53f-c5af-4cbb-9d05-27117e3a3835" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_286a3a2b-76d6-44e0-91f1-33e786d1ed88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis_6d0ac53f-c5af-4cbb-9d05-27117e3a3835" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_6d0ac53f-c5af-4cbb-9d05-27117e3a3835_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis_6d0ac53f-c5af-4cbb-9d05-27117e3a3835" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_6d0ac53f-c5af-4cbb-9d05-27117e3a3835_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_1f7466ef-6eec-4dc6-a980-18841da67806" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis_6d0ac53f-c5af-4cbb-9d05-27117e3a3835" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_1f7466ef-6eec-4dc6-a980-18841da67806" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_UniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_f9156401-3eb8-4674-a327-4fc60365e5f4" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_UniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_1f7466ef-6eec-4dc6-a980-18841da67806" xlink:to="loc_uve_UniversalPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_f9156401-3eb8-4674-a327-4fc60365e5f4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_0050ef02-4881-4b38-8100-70deb2e2c490" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesJurisdictionDomain_1f7466ef-6eec-4dc6-a980-18841da67806" xlink:to="loc_uve_AmericanPlatinumPropertyAndCasualtyInsuranceCompanyMember_0050ef02-4881-4b38-8100-70deb2e2c490" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsCapitalContributionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InsuranceOperationsCapitalContributionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsCapitalContributionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i218ae85ff6bc404f8a08b45f1d24e150_InsuranceOperationsCapitalContributionsDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsSummaryofCombinedNetIncomeLossforUPCICandAPPCICDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InsuranceOperationsSummaryofCombinedNetIncomeLossforUPCICandAPPCICDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsSummaryofCombinedNetIncomeLossforUPCICandAPPCICDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="ice48bafa227f4a3ea8dc56b42d508fa9_InsuranceOperationsSummaryofCombinedNetIncomeLossforUPCICandAPPCICDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsAssetsHeldbyInsuranceRegulatorsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#InsuranceOperationsAssetsHeldbyInsuranceRegulatorsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/InsuranceOperationsAssetsHeldbyInsuranceRegulatorsDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i5682d1957ef043e3b72e8253569a90f2_InsuranceOperationsAssetsHeldbyInsuranceRegulatorsDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_de366d4d-9500-44e4-af65-51b59b759871" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldByInsuranceRegulators_985a6df7-6ffd-4763-a04d-7f3ca72ddcbe" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldByInsuranceRegulators"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_de366d4d-9500-44e4-af65-51b59b759871" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldByInsuranceRegulators_985a6df7-6ffd-4763-a04d-7f3ca72ddcbe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_dab602a5-e62c-4b21-9562-d09004cbb152" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_de366d4d-9500-44e4-af65-51b59b759871" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_dab602a5-e62c-4b21-9562-d09004cbb152" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a60b367b-7921-4fd5-8ad9-eef7674bc3c8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_dab602a5-e62c-4b21-9562-d09004cbb152" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a60b367b-7921-4fd5-8ad9-eef7674bc3c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a60b367b-7921-4fd5-8ad9-eef7674bc3c8_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a60b367b-7921-4fd5-8ad9-eef7674bc3c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a60b367b-7921-4fd5-8ad9-eef7674bc3c8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fd3d5d1c-65e0-48ff-84af-181bce56ccc6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a60b367b-7921-4fd5-8ad9-eef7674bc3c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fd3d5d1c-65e0-48ff-84af-181bce56ccc6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_46f1e29e-86d9-4b37-8aef-2f3fe705c74a" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fd3d5d1c-65e0-48ff-84af-181bce56ccc6" xlink:to="loc_uve_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_46f1e29e-86d9-4b37-8aef-2f3fe705c74a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_b029e4fb-ba58-4813-9700-47f0242b7cd6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_dab602a5-e62c-4b21-9562-d09004cbb152" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_b029e4fb-ba58-4813-9700-47f0242b7cd6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_b029e4fb-ba58-4813-9700-47f0242b7cd6_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_b029e4fb-ba58-4813-9700-47f0242b7cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_b029e4fb-ba58-4813-9700-47f0242b7cd6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_e76998db-eec9-4856-855e-a19f707a9a48" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_b029e4fb-ba58-4813-9700-47f0242b7cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_e76998db-eec9-4856-855e-a19f707a9a48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsMember_9c2d0e01-4e5a-4512-b1ac-595a14a1b4a1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_e76998db-eec9-4856-855e-a19f707a9a48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsMember_9c2d0e01-4e5a-4512-b1ac-595a14a1b4a1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpenses" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpenses"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpenses" xlink:type="extended" id="ieb2bce66e9754488a7456a63b47a6aa6_LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpenses"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ie1e5c1f8907e44b7ad812fa319649e1b_LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesChangeinLiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLAEDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesChangeinLiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLAEDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesChangeinLiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLAEDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i771ae7a2c9344a199b35a67043687237_LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesChangeinLiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLAEDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i96a266e6a1604e2e86c66167f46fac8f_LiabilityforUnpaidLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_1d304a66-dc0a-4094-9ba1-cb5c9cc09e24" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredGross_07b2c2a1-51ef-4115-99b3-ac4d60748361" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_1d304a66-dc0a-4094-9ba1-cb5c9cc09e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredGross_07b2c2a1-51ef-4115-99b3-ac4d60748361" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceEffectOnClaimsAndBenefitsIncurredAmountCeded_215088a3-753a-4fe7-93ae-588c6c9012e5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceEffectOnClaimsAndBenefitsIncurredAmountCeded"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_1d304a66-dc0a-4094-9ba1-cb5c9cc09e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceEffectOnClaimsAndBenefitsIncurredAmountCeded_215088a3-753a-4fe7-93ae-588c6c9012e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalInformationForPropertyCasualtyInsuranceUnderwritersPriorYearClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_057a9135-5cf2-4e91-b448-04028ae839be" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SupplementalInformationForPropertyCasualtyInsuranceUnderwritersPriorYearClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_1d304a66-dc0a-4094-9ba1-cb5c9cc09e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalInformationForPropertyCasualtyInsuranceUnderwritersPriorYearClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_057a9135-5cf2-4e91-b448-04028ae839be" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_466881b5-18c0-4cc4-b2e0-7c1d3f26cf71" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_1d304a66-dc0a-4094-9ba1-cb5c9cc09e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_466881b5-18c0-4cc4-b2e0-7c1d3f26cf71" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis_d0118155-bea3-4e2d-b461-87f0eb54b15f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_466881b5-18c0-4cc4-b2e0-7c1d3f26cf71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis_d0118155-bea3-4e2d-b461-87f0eb54b15f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_d0118155-bea3-4e2d-b461-87f0eb54b15f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis_d0118155-bea3-4e2d-b461-87f0eb54b15f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_d0118155-bea3-4e2d-b461-87f0eb54b15f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_874b01c1-71e2-48e7-8385-0434b362b5dc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis_d0118155-bea3-4e2d-b461-87f0eb54b15f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_874b01c1-71e2-48e7-8385-0434b362b5dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HurricaneMember_1439d9ff-03f1-467e-89be-8db503c0d52f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HurricaneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_874b01c1-71e2-48e7-8385-0434b362b5dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HurricaneMember_1439d9ff-03f1-467e-89be-8db503c0d52f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LongTermDebt" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#LongTermDebt"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LongTermDebt" xlink:type="extended" id="i83ab3effc9f343a8b4ee2c7882e1ef19_LongTermDebt"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LongTermDebtTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#LongTermDebtTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LongTermDebtTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i9161bde675b74b90b478d4f8b7ea487b_LongTermDebtTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LongTermDebtScheduleofLongTermDebtDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#LongTermDebtScheduleofLongTermDebtDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LongTermDebtScheduleofLongTermDebtDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i13dea187ef794c2182ae2c12cafa0d49_LongTermDebtScheduleofLongTermDebtDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LongTermDebtAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#LongTermDebtAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/LongTermDebtAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i75290ce53a91408d91c38a9bfea34173_LongTermDebtAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4bf9df5e-6dd9-4dc1-83ed-749084faaa64" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_c0f86c69-402a-42b8-aeaf-adeb6fbf2dbe" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4bf9df5e-6dd9-4dc1-83ed-749084faaa64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_c0f86c69-402a-42b8-aeaf-adeb6fbf2dbe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtTerm_2f59ff41-5d9e-449d-85d5-7cbdf5e4d079" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4bf9df5e-6dd9-4dc1-83ed-749084faaa64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtTerm_2f59ff41-5d9e-449d-85d5-7cbdf5e4d079" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_cb90d4fd-4c7d-4f81-9357-c4db7e69d1d9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4bf9df5e-6dd9-4dc1-83ed-749084faaa64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_cb90d4fd-4c7d-4f81-9357-c4db7e69d1d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_56a350d8-f19d-4fa6-ba49-4ba7c6cdb252" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_cb90d4fd-4c7d-4f81-9357-c4db7e69d1d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_56a350d8-f19d-4fa6-ba49-4ba7c6cdb252" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_56a350d8-f19d-4fa6-ba49-4ba7c6cdb252_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_56a350d8-f19d-4fa6-ba49-4ba7c6cdb252" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_56a350d8-f19d-4fa6-ba49-4ba7c6cdb252_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8b279852-589f-4975-860f-88662bd507bb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_56a350d8-f19d-4fa6-ba49-4ba7c6cdb252" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8b279852-589f-4975-860f-88662bd507bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_SurplusNoteMember_2c91d5df-4e58-449b-b417-77f570c729cd" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_SurplusNoteMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8b279852-589f-4975-860f-88662bd507bb" xlink:to="loc_uve_SurplusNoteMember_2c91d5df-4e58-449b-b417-77f570c729cd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/StockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#StockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/StockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="i2397cd57f9f740ccbf134a307098fa5c_StockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#StockholdersEquityTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="extended" id="iad13bd1542e0477684a0c83eee52237c_StockholdersEquityTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/StockholdersEquityScheduleofSharesRepurchasedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#StockholdersEquityScheduleofSharesRepurchasedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/StockholdersEquityScheduleofSharesRepurchasedDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia31441b7e0ef424598747418f8a60a51_StockholdersEquityScheduleofSharesRepurchasedDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_EquityLineItems_ddeb91b3-22fb-4c01-af68-59b13a13ebdc" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_EquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_5fdc2408-3668-4011-b35c-2585a572c7fa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_EquityLineItems_ddeb91b3-22fb-4c01-af68-59b13a13ebdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_5fdc2408-3668-4011-b35c-2585a572c7fa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_ac076612-8d28-42d3-baef-2c9e2965bb5b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_EquityLineItems_ddeb91b3-22fb-4c01-af68-59b13a13ebdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_ac076612-8d28-42d3-baef-2c9e2965bb5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_ae28d4b7-5f0f-4c5d-9baf-d04824516b7b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_EquityLineItems_ddeb91b3-22fb-4c01-af68-59b13a13ebdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_ae28d4b7-5f0f-4c5d-9baf-d04824516b7b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_5f42b47a-ba77-4744-9612-0184be49319a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_EquityLineItems_ddeb91b3-22fb-4c01-af68-59b13a13ebdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_5f42b47a-ba77-4744-9612-0184be49319a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_ScheduleOfEquityTable_f70b625d-6411-470b-990b-b034af4c56ae" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_ScheduleOfEquityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_uve_EquityLineItems_ddeb91b3-22fb-4c01-af68-59b13a13ebdc" xlink:to="loc_uve_ScheduleOfEquityTable_f70b625d-6411-470b-990b-b034af4c56ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_481d3f79-9485-4b68-b529-671fae407acd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_uve_ScheduleOfEquityTable_f70b625d-6411-470b-990b-b034af4c56ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_481d3f79-9485-4b68-b529-671fae407acd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_481d3f79-9485-4b68-b529-671fae407acd_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_481d3f79-9485-4b68-b529-671fae407acd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_481d3f79-9485-4b68-b529-671fae407acd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_8fca4c8e-4640-44cc-8b7f-9fdbe29e9294" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_481d3f79-9485-4b68-b529-671fae407acd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_8fca4c8e-4640-44cc-8b7f-9fdbe29e9294" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_NovemberTwoThousandNineteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember_13ab5b04-e381-48b3-9e6f-465412f58b69" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_NovemberTwoThousandNineteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_8fca4c8e-4640-44cc-8b7f-9fdbe29e9294" xlink:to="loc_uve_NovemberTwoThousandNineteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember_13ab5b04-e381-48b3-9e6f-465412f58b69" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_MayTwoThousandNineteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember_a863f7e4-5262-4337-9065-a1490add515d" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_MayTwoThousandNineteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_8fca4c8e-4640-44cc-8b7f-9fdbe29e9294" xlink:to="loc_uve_MayTwoThousandNineteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember_a863f7e4-5262-4337-9065-a1490add515d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_DecemberTwoThousandEighteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember_6bb93a5e-e6a6-4314-9344-689326814338" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_DecemberTwoThousandEighteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_8fca4c8e-4640-44cc-8b7f-9fdbe29e9294" xlink:to="loc_uve_DecemberTwoThousandEighteenShareRepurchaseProgramMember_6bb93a5e-e6a6-4314-9344-689326814338" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a0e6585e-4922-4e6e-9ec9-a69e92d49c58" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_uve_ScheduleOfEquityTable_f70b625d-6411-470b-990b-b034af4c56ae" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a0e6585e-4922-4e6e-9ec9-a69e92d49c58" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a0e6585e-4922-4e6e-9ec9-a69e92d49c58_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a0e6585e-4922-4e6e-9ec9-a69e92d49c58" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a0e6585e-4922-4e6e-9ec9-a69e92d49c58_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6ff37f5c-c216-49ea-b9b0-54313247d69b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a0e6585e-4922-4e6e-9ec9-a69e92d49c58" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6ff37f5c-c216-49ea-b9b0-54313247d69b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_7cdd3f27-58d8-4aea-b4c8-13fb2ba91c7c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6ff37f5c-c216-49ea-b9b0-54313247d69b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_7cdd3f27-58d8-4aea-b4c8-13fb2ba91c7c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" id="i8acba623817449c5bc59cdcbcc18e92d_IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="iae1bc36244b74ae690b33cd018787206_IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesLineItems_0c24d655-535a-4929-a17d-55a60f1e05d3" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_IncomeTaxesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_8429d458-9bb5-404c-8fe3-86b4b6127fda" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesLineItems_0c24d655-535a-4929-a17d-55a60f1e05d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_8429d458-9bb5-404c-8fe3-86b4b6127fda" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_60eb213d-0f40-4234-a24d-67107619521a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesLineItems_0c24d655-535a-4929-a17d-55a60f1e05d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_60eb213d-0f40-4234-a24d-67107619521a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate_145b88de-61d5-4871-a854-4cbc99066ea4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesLineItems_0c24d655-535a-4929-a17d-55a60f1e05d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate_145b88de-61d5-4871-a854-4cbc99066ea4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes_95e4c92a-1286-4922-bad1-e9eed05bf884" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesLineItems_0c24d655-535a-4929-a17d-55a60f1e05d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes_95e4c92a-1286-4922-bad1-e9eed05bf884" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_1c503f41-0884-43c6-8d3b-c6ac6959a834" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesLineItems_0c24d655-535a-4929-a17d-55a60f1e05d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_1c503f41-0884-43c6-8d3b-c6ac6959a834" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesTable_ec89496c-5ece-49d6-a67d-e66cbba5bd25" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_IncomeTaxesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesLineItems_0c24d655-535a-4929-a17d-55a60f1e05d3" xlink:to="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesTable_ec89496c-5ece-49d6-a67d-e66cbba5bd25" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_9ee12ee8-d589-4d9e-9fd4-9995a46fb853" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesTable_ec89496c-5ece-49d6-a67d-e66cbba5bd25" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_9ee12ee8-d589-4d9e-9fd4-9995a46fb853" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_9ee12ee8-d589-4d9e-9fd4-9995a46fb853_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_9ee12ee8-d589-4d9e-9fd4-9995a46fb853" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_9ee12ee8-d589-4d9e-9fd4-9995a46fb853_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_afbe9634-bb2f-4487-a50f-11035acee7fc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_9ee12ee8-d589-4d9e-9fd4-9995a46fb853" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_afbe9634-bb2f-4487-a50f-11035acee7fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_38d47c9c-e884-4968-b997-e73727f2493e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_afbe9634-bb2f-4487-a50f-11035acee7fc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_38d47c9c-e884-4968-b997-e73727f2493e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis_e24fde62-386f-4390-bd15-d50229bf9bc8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_uve_IncomeTaxesTable_ec89496c-5ece-49d6-a67d-e66cbba5bd25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis_e24fde62-386f-4390-bd15-d50229bf9bc8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_e24fde62-386f-4390-bd15-d50229bf9bc8_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis_e24fde62-386f-4390-bd15-d50229bf9bc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_e24fde62-386f-4390-bd15-d50229bf9bc8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_6e372be7-b54c-4816-ba8f-dbee7a200268" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis_e24fde62-386f-4390-bd15-d50229bf9bc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_6e372be7-b54c-4816-ba8f-dbee7a200268" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_StatutoryEffectiveTaxRateMember_f058aac3-b1b4-4fc7-ae2b-a5ceb6e8d880" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_StatutoryEffectiveTaxRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_6e372be7-b54c-4816-ba8f-dbee7a200268" xlink:to="loc_uve_StatutoryEffectiveTaxRateMember_f058aac3-b1b4-4fc7-ae2b-a5ceb6e8d880" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#EarningsPerShare"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" id="i41d329d4e78d461c92ba28c659112592_EarningsPerShare"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i05b3717969064fee98c3722e53ae513d_EarningsPerShareTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/EarningsPerShareReconcilesNumeratorandDenominatorofBasicandDilutedEarningsPerShareComputationsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#EarningsPerShareReconcilesNumeratorandDenominatorofBasicandDilutedEarningsPerShareComputationsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/EarningsPerShareReconcilesNumeratorandDenominatorofBasicandDilutedEarningsPerShareComputationsDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i410ef243fd234568855f608843b63bd1_EarningsPerShareReconcilesNumeratorandDenominatorofBasicandDilutedEarningsPerShareComputationsDetail"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#OtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss" xlink:type="extended" id="i820ccf66f5534f0ab653a31562f2697b_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i25a2d1a9f99d430b83e823c1e882070f_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossComponentsofOtherComprehensiveIncomelossPreTaxandAfterTaxDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossComponentsofOtherComprehensiveIncomelossPreTaxandAfterTaxDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossComponentsofOtherComprehensiveIncomelossPreTaxandAfterTaxDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i0f7526066d594e178e254e5f5051cbb3_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossComponentsofOtherComprehensiveIncomelossPreTaxandAfterTaxDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_08ae0810-efd0-4c46-9d4f-142fffd91db5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_056eeed3-ab9e-4f39-ab6e-28412b084393" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_08ae0810-efd0-4c46-9d4f-142fffd91db5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_056eeed3-ab9e-4f39-ab6e-28412b084393" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_8007a0ce-872a-4e02-88f5-ecefc5057cb7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_056eeed3-ab9e-4f39-ab6e-28412b084393" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_8007a0ce-872a-4e02-88f5-ecefc5057cb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_901b4992-4702-4f01-b002-6382c04d870b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_056eeed3-ab9e-4f39-ab6e-28412b084393" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_901b4992-4702-4f01-b002-6382c04d870b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent_bf4777cf-097b-442f-b457-0c398b5a7091" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_056eeed3-ab9e-4f39-ab6e-28412b084393" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent_bf4777cf-097b-442f-b457-0c398b5a7091" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxAbstract_747d4af5-fe16-4f9f-a317-c8fab1df443b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_08ae0810-efd0-4c46-9d4f-142fffd91db5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxAbstract_747d4af5-fe16-4f9f-a317-c8fab1df443b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax_6dfd8f6b-a9fe-490d-acd0-9e55a4066c75" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxAbstract_747d4af5-fe16-4f9f-a317-c8fab1df443b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax_6dfd8f6b-a9fe-490d-acd0-9e55a4066c75" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax_e0f080bc-9da9-4272-973f-89c9d478d727" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxAbstract_747d4af5-fe16-4f9f-a317-c8fab1df443b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax_e0f080bc-9da9-4272-973f-89c9d478d727" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1_8d178321-0aba-486c-afda-1bad8c6b8590" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxAbstract_747d4af5-fe16-4f9f-a317-c8fab1df443b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1_8d178321-0aba-486c-afda-1bad8c6b8590" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_0615b006-3aef-4a7f-ad74-053c0cb99fb9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_08ae0810-efd0-4c46-9d4f-142fffd91db5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_0615b006-3aef-4a7f-ad74-053c0cb99fb9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_19cb0cc5-e34b-4696-9df7-18368d4cd80f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_0615b006-3aef-4a7f-ad74-053c0cb99fb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_19cb0cc5-e34b-4696-9df7-18368d4cd80f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_b7097141-405a-4c8e-8942-da1dd93b22c9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_0615b006-3aef-4a7f-ad74-053c0cb99fb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_b7097141-405a-4c8e-8942-da1dd93b22c9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_ae9cc51b-b3ac-41bf-b0cf-ae44c19dcb50" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_0615b006-3aef-4a7f-ad74-053c0cb99fb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_ae9cc51b-b3ac-41bf-b0cf-ae44c19dcb50" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_691c1dd2-bd10-4cbc-933d-f8ef8cebc579" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_08ae0810-efd0-4c46-9d4f-142fffd91db5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_691c1dd2-bd10-4cbc-933d-f8ef8cebc579" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d654c67f-cc7b-48b7-b387-ec602b0ef22d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_691c1dd2-bd10-4cbc-933d-f8ef8cebc579" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d654c67f-cc7b-48b7-b387-ec602b0ef22d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d654c67f-cc7b-48b7-b387-ec602b0ef22d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d654c67f-cc7b-48b7-b387-ec602b0ef22d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d654c67f-cc7b-48b7-b387-ec602b0ef22d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_1e0f6133-0f37-478f-a00d-c36264e68dc1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d654c67f-cc7b-48b7-b387-ec602b0ef22d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_1e0f6133-0f37-478f-a00d-c36264e68dc1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_732d6a66-2875-4cf8-9de6-e53b178c490b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_1e0f6133-0f37-478f-a00d-c36264e68dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_732d6a66-2875-4cf8-9de6-e53b178c490b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_67fd5154-0f24-45c9-8b14-b7b79d40fd8d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_691c1dd2-bd10-4cbc-933d-f8ef8cebc579" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_67fd5154-0f24-45c9-8b14-b7b79d40fd8d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_67fd5154-0f24-45c9-8b14-b7b79d40fd8d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_67fd5154-0f24-45c9-8b14-b7b79d40fd8d" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_67fd5154-0f24-45c9-8b14-b7b79d40fd8d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_ed81258c-1d75-4bae-ba6b-0de25542afba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_67fd5154-0f24-45c9-8b14-b7b79d40fd8d" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_ed81258c-1d75-4bae-ba6b-0de25542afba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_4ca41c4d-6a59-44d9-9156-6cb5f6375a94" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_ed81258c-1d75-4bae-ba6b-0de25542afba" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_4ca41c4d-6a59-44d9-9156-6cb5f6375a94" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustedBalanceMember_a3bacc07-baeb-45cf-8b6d-ef88d1b00823" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustedBalanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_ed81258c-1d75-4bae-ba6b-0de25542afba" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustedBalanceMember_a3bacc07-baeb-45cf-8b6d-ef88d1b00823" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationsAdjustmentforGainsLossesOutofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationsAdjustmentforGainsLossesOutofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationsAdjustmentforGainsLossesOutofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i765e281d99f74a859f79da32e57aa4a7_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationsAdjustmentforGainsLossesOutofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_93822aeb-4507-4bee-a86d-fcf09a0db1ed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndEquitySecuritiesRealizedGainLoss_3d01000b-153a-4129-b6b5-1706c00f218e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndEquitySecuritiesRealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_93822aeb-4507-4bee-a86d-fcf09a0db1ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndEquitySecuritiesRealizedGainLoss_3d01000b-153a-4129-b6b5-1706c00f218e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_bbe4fe15-f81b-4564-97ac-06a52891f361" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_93822aeb-4507-4bee-a86d-fcf09a0db1ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_bbe4fe15-f81b-4564-97ac-06a52891f361" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_912c66ad-5085-4f18-8507-58d71b6cf5c8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_93822aeb-4507-4bee-a86d-fcf09a0db1ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_912c66ad-5085-4f18-8507-58d71b6cf5c8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_6fab0a9d-be89-4471-a2ee-cf4459c0a994" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_93822aeb-4507-4bee-a86d-fcf09a0db1ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_6fab0a9d-be89-4471-a2ee-cf4459c0a994" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_323fa80d-57b1-4aa7-adfa-29f8db26946a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_6fab0a9d-be89-4471-a2ee-cf4459c0a994" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_323fa80d-57b1-4aa7-adfa-29f8db26946a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_323fa80d-57b1-4aa7-adfa-29f8db26946a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_323fa80d-57b1-4aa7-adfa-29f8db26946a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_323fa80d-57b1-4aa7-adfa-29f8db26946a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_962b6382-0bbe-47e5-889b-bd6e60f100d6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_323fa80d-57b1-4aa7-adfa-29f8db26946a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_962b6382-0bbe-47e5-889b-bd6e60f100d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_e34ab251-3cbc-4ee3-a2eb-6bb793d3ae0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_962b6382-0bbe-47e5-889b-bd6e60f100d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_e34ab251-3cbc-4ee3-a2eb-6bb793d3ae0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_a475910e-4828-494f-9685-63b8f089126c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_6fab0a9d-be89-4471-a2ee-cf4459c0a994" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_a475910e-4828-494f-9685-63b8f089126c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_a475910e-4828-494f-9685-63b8f089126c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_a475910e-4828-494f-9685-63b8f089126c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_a475910e-4828-494f-9685-63b8f089126c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_7beaa28e-4b74-458d-843a-489b2ec370b4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_a475910e-4828-494f-9685-63b8f089126c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_7beaa28e-4b74-458d-843a-489b2ec370b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_425b5d35-c7e7-4f84-99a4-f45fb0577bd0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_7beaa28e-4b74-458d-843a-489b2ec370b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_425b5d35-c7e7-4f84-99a4-f45fb0577bd0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="extended" id="i1318aed5e5784c929f65b46917a5c838_CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i1e3c8855fcdc44e8889662711688cca7_CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyLineItems_a5a9fd3b-b71a-45f6-b8b8-594cf87b01c2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths_f1eb97ce-67dc-4687-b556-f758fe5f4c3f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyLineItems_a5a9fd3b-b71a-45f6-b8b8-594cf87b01c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths_f1eb97ce-67dc-4687-b556-f758fe5f4c3f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear_ed7e86df-c18e-49f5-b751-3046cb38b6a6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyLineItems_a5a9fd3b-b71a-45f6-b8b8-594cf87b01c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear_ed7e86df-c18e-49f5-b751-3046cb38b6a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyTable_55c57afc-424f-4853-8fc4-aa2f34056027" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyLineItems_a5a9fd3b-b71a-45f6-b8b8-594cf87b01c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyTable_55c57afc-424f-4853-8fc4-aa2f34056027" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyTypeAxis_ccebae72-06aa-4446-be8f-6222286c0b84" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyTable_55c57afc-424f-4853-8fc4-aa2f34056027" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyTypeAxis_ccebae72-06aa-4446-be8f-6222286c0b84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyDomain_ccebae72-06aa-4446-be8f-6222286c0b84_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyTypeAxis_ccebae72-06aa-4446-be8f-6222286c0b84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyDomain_ccebae72-06aa-4446-be8f-6222286c0b84_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyDomain_fc173c37-4d33-4508-98a8-c6cd7e3b21a8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyTypeAxis_ccebae72-06aa-4446-be8f-6222286c0b84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyDomain_fc173c37-4d33-4508-98a8-c6cd7e3b21a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_PeriodFromJuneOneTwoThousandTwentyToMayThirtyOneTwoThousandTwentyOneMember_15ad5a14-6a4d-46cc-a125-32662863d530" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_PeriodFromJuneOneTwoThousandTwentyToMayThirtyOneTwoThousandTwentyOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyDomain_fc173c37-4d33-4508-98a8-c6cd7e3b21a8" xlink:to="loc_uve_PeriodFromJuneOneTwoThousandTwentyToMayThirtyOneTwoThousandTwentyOneMember_15ad5a14-6a4d-46cc-a125-32662863d530" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_PeriodFromJuneOneTwoThousandTwentyToMayThirtyOneTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember_8f60badb-8dc0-4b02-b766-2870956ba965" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_PeriodFromJuneOneTwoThousandTwentyToMayThirtyOneTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReinsurancePolicyDomain_fc173c37-4d33-4508-98a8-c6cd7e3b21a8" xlink:to="loc_uve_PeriodFromJuneOneTwoThousandTwentyToMayThirtyOneTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember_8f60badb-8dc0-4b02-b766-2870956ba965" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#FairValueMeasurements"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="extended" id="i4a3687e9670048bd81b7fb5ec83ea09e_FairValueMeasurements"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i2fc0bc0789084ced9e2244d35f8129d4_FairValueMeasurementsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAssetsMeasuredforatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsAssetsMeasuredforatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAssetsMeasuredforatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="i9987917e721d44d1a34561d481fe9f28_FairValueMeasurementsAssetsMeasuredforatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f657e29-e587-45c5-9478-00136b8e5cca" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_e418dab7-a3bd-4e0a-9b58-75030178a385" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f657e29-e587-45c5-9478-00136b8e5cca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_e418dab7-a3bd-4e0a-9b58-75030178a385" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_d7ab050a-bd3c-4f09-a1e9-4a58f115faf7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f657e29-e587-45c5-9478-00136b8e5cca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_d7ab050a-bd3c-4f09-a1e9-4a58f115faf7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_79475488-a0db-46b2-9a96-a62d8085bfee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f657e29-e587-45c5-9478-00136b8e5cca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_79475488-a0db-46b2-9a96-a62d8085bfee" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f307195f-b0a6-4437-8e29-cb51f9d3f0e6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f657e29-e587-45c5-9478-00136b8e5cca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f307195f-b0a6-4437-8e29-cb51f9d3f0e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_15e5f1bd-2bad-4e42-8fa7-d6cc2427b312" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f307195f-b0a6-4437-8e29-cb51f9d3f0e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_15e5f1bd-2bad-4e42-8fa7-d6cc2427b312" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_15e5f1bd-2bad-4e42-8fa7-d6cc2427b312_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_15e5f1bd-2bad-4e42-8fa7-d6cc2427b312" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_15e5f1bd-2bad-4e42-8fa7-d6cc2427b312_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_055b46c3-5fe3-462b-ae1d-163cb477c40e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_15e5f1bd-2bad-4e42-8fa7-d6cc2427b312" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_055b46c3-5fe3-462b-ae1d-163cb477c40e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_c1d711e5-8845-47b3-96f5-e58aee5ffad1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_055b46c3-5fe3-462b-ae1d-163cb477c40e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_c1d711e5-8845-47b3-96f5-e58aee5ffad1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_9832c346-963f-44b7-83e4-fc9fd7c8336b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_055b46c3-5fe3-462b-ae1d-163cb477c40e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_9832c346-963f-44b7-83e4-fc9fd7c8336b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_ae337c8d-3028-4ab3-8fd6-4fbcfe7048b2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f307195f-b0a6-4437-8e29-cb51f9d3f0e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_ae337c8d-3028-4ab3-8fd6-4fbcfe7048b2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_ae337c8d-3028-4ab3-8fd6-4fbcfe7048b2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_ae337c8d-3028-4ab3-8fd6-4fbcfe7048b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_ae337c8d-3028-4ab3-8fd6-4fbcfe7048b2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_45cc1c18-e5e9-4fa6-9908-db134d5bf079" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_ae337c8d-3028-4ab3-8fd6-4fbcfe7048b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_45cc1c18-e5e9-4fa6-9908-db134d5bf079" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_89cf0e75-c0ca-4a25-a2c8-e64bafa699ac" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_45cc1c18-e5e9-4fa6-9908-db134d5bf079" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_89cf0e75-c0ca-4a25-a2c8-e64bafa699ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_b6f71fad-56d9-49e0-9426-67f2d15d2cab" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f307195f-b0a6-4437-8e29-cb51f9d3f0e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_b6f71fad-56d9-49e0-9426-67f2d15d2cab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_b6f71fad-56d9-49e0-9426-67f2d15d2cab_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_b6f71fad-56d9-49e0-9426-67f2d15d2cab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_b6f71fad-56d9-49e0-9426-67f2d15d2cab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_b6f71fad-56d9-49e0-9426-67f2d15d2cab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember_4ef270ce-5612-4350-88ee-617ba356fc4a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember_4ef270ce-5612-4350-88ee-617ba356fc4a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_05ccdcfb-7312-49b3-bd8c-a239354a9f86" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_05ccdcfb-7312-49b3-bd8c-a239354a9f86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember_05c26093-cb87-460f-92c5-637d2cae809e" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:to="loc_uve_MortgageBackedAndAssetBackedSecuritiesMember_05c26093-cb87-460f-92c5-637d2cae809e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_36102548-4e37-4931-bf6d-fd9e9416a27b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_36102548-4e37-4931-bf6d-fd9e9416a27b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember_5a670f1b-059e-43d1-a4fd-ce31603a2dcb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemablePreferredStockMember_5a670f1b-059e-43d1-a4fd-ce31603a2dcb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_e649c38f-de43-4c02-bfc0-3b6b2b90551e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_e649c38f-de43-4c02-bfc0-3b6b2b90551e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_MutualFundsMember_2db12c00-7cd5-4530-bf0e-b59a736cb9fe" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_MutualFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4aabf5bc-f5ae-40c4-a871-e91b33c76560" xlink:to="loc_uve_MutualFundsMember_2db12c00-7cd5-4530-bf0e-b59a736cb9fe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsSummarizesCarryingValueandEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsnotCarriedatFairValueDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsSummarizesCarryingValueandEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsnotCarriedatFairValueDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsSummarizesCarryingValueandEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsnotCarriedatFairValueDetail" xlink:type="extended" id="id2ebdeab88c64ab18dddf34c60ff75f7_FairValueMeasurementsSummarizesCarryingValueandEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsnotCarriedatFairValueDetail">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_71b5f713-6e6d-4afe-bdfb-919d6669a767" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SurplusNotes_b05c666c-d6e2-4bb4-9580-327f1ad2e19a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SurplusNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_71b5f713-6e6d-4afe-bdfb-919d6669a767" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SurplusNotes_b05c666c-d6e2-4bb4-9580-327f1ad2e19a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_2a6415ce-2a7b-402c-8371-d8170804902e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_71b5f713-6e6d-4afe-bdfb-919d6669a767" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_2a6415ce-2a7b-402c-8371-d8170804902e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_03bc90c7-a9fe-43ee-8007-ff1234c10f46" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_71b5f713-6e6d-4afe-bdfb-919d6669a767" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_03bc90c7-a9fe-43ee-8007-ff1234c10f46" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_5e37fc2e-f609-47a0-b079-b90fe8775288" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_03bc90c7-a9fe-43ee-8007-ff1234c10f46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_5e37fc2e-f609-47a0-b079-b90fe8775288" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_5e37fc2e-f609-47a0-b079-b90fe8775288_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_5e37fc2e-f609-47a0-b079-b90fe8775288" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_5e37fc2e-f609-47a0-b079-b90fe8775288_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_dcc084c0-b90f-46d3-867f-561f8fb42e4e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_5e37fc2e-f609-47a0-b079-b90fe8775288" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_dcc084c0-b90f-46d3-867f-561f8fb42e4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_uve_SurplusNoteMember_429e31e7-ca92-47c5-aebf-7258321faa7b" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#uve_SurplusNoteMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_dcc084c0-b90f-46d3-867f-561f8fb42e4e" xlink:to="loc_uve_SurplusNoteMember_429e31e7-ca92-47c5-aebf-7258321faa7b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_7a3ae449-68ad-4e6a-a03d-789ab677d30c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_03bc90c7-a9fe-43ee-8007-ff1234c10f46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_7a3ae449-68ad-4e6a-a03d-789ab677d30c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7a3ae449-68ad-4e6a-a03d-789ab677d30c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_7a3ae449-68ad-4e6a-a03d-789ab677d30c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7a3ae449-68ad-4e6a-a03d-789ab677d30c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e2f91a14-3fe9-405e-a47b-317061230799" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_7a3ae449-68ad-4e6a-a03d-789ab677d30c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e2f91a14-3fe9-405e-a47b-317061230799" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_9d9c3b39-7e23-47ca-a62b-6040978daa7f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e2f91a14-3fe9-405e-a47b-317061230799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_9d9c3b39-7e23-47ca-a62b-6040978daa7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#SubsequentEvents"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="extended" id="idc6888d5927842b7ba1f2d7d0b364865_SubsequentEvents"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="uve-20200630.xsd#SubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.universalinsuranceholdings.com/role/SubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i08cb496cd46c45f7afb2357e19f6513f_SubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_efeb81fe-b464-49dd-9864-769e4ec4533a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_0866352a-1fab-494d-af7a-a555663a4a99" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_efeb81fe-b464-49dd-9864-769e4ec4533a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_0866352a-1fab-494d-af7a-a555663a4a99" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_02a3e1ac-460b-44ca-ab50-bad90aa41c11" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_efeb81fe-b464-49dd-9864-769e4ec4533a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_02a3e1ac-460b-44ca-ab50-bad90aa41c11" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_fc5a8894-6b4c-424e-8886-110262440bf6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_02a3e1ac-460b-44ca-ab50-bad90aa41c11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_fc5a8894-6b4c-424e-8886-110262440bf6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_fc5a8894-6b4c-424e-8886-110262440bf6_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_fc5a8894-6b4c-424e-8886-110262440bf6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_fc5a8894-6b4c-424e-8886-110262440bf6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e27bd9df-9d94-4f3d-96cd-9e2400a7d3c6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_fc5a8894-6b4c-424e-8886-110262440bf6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e27bd9df-9d94-4f3d-96cd-9e2400a7d3c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_3d402416-d0ef-46de-b8aa-11ef8f5c4f6b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e27bd9df-9d94-4f3d-96cd-9e2400a7d3c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_3d402416-d0ef-46de-b8aa-11ef8f5c4f6b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
