Florida HOA Lawyer Blog
Hurricane Michael caused severe damage to condominiums and HOA communities in the Florida panhandle, and in the aftermath of the storm many of the area’s community associations will be filing property damage claims with their insurers. Here are some tips that will help the boards of directors and property managers for these associations to make the process as smooth as possible:
Document the Damage
One of first steps for associations to take will be to document the damage. Taking photos from a number of different angles and perspectives is a good start, and video recordings documenting all of the damage throughout the affected areas are also very helpful. This should be done prior to any repairs or clean up, including the installation of tarps to prevent further water intrusion.
For roof damage, associations should be very cautious and avoid walking on roofs that have been impacted. Some insurers may attempt to demonstrate that the damage was exacerbated by individuals walking on the roof to take photos/videos and install tarps. If the damage is not visible from the roof access door of condominium buildings, consider using a drone to take aerial videos.
Prevent any Further Damage
The only repairs that should be made immediately following all of the photo and video documentation should be those that are necessary to prevent further damage and ensure safety. This includes emergency repairs such as covering damaged roofs and broken windows with tarps.