Condominium Insurance Claims
Florida has more condominium buildings that any other state in the United States. Every year, we see more and more condominium high rises being developed in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. No town is safe from the continued condominium growth.
- If you suffer damage to your condo unit, you might be dealing with 3 different policies depending on the type of claim: a) Your policy b) Your neighbor’s policy either next to you or above you and c) the Association’s policy
- Unit owners usually only have responsibility for everything “within the walls”
- Depending on the wording in the Association’s agreement and/or bylaws, Many items may or may not be the responsibility of the Association
- Usually Roofs are the Association’s responsibility
- Pipes are usually the Association’s responsibility
Many other things come into play when dealing with Condominium damage claims.
It would be a good idea to know the Florida Condominium Act because many issues are discussed including the topic of insurance. Furthermore, you have many Florida state statutes regarding condominium ownership such as:
Reconstruction work, Fla. Stat. § 718.111(11)(g)2
Unit owners responsibility, under Fla. Stat. § 718.111(11)(j)
Unit owners normally face the following two types of damages:
- Water damage
- Fire(s)
- Roof Leaks
However, the most common of these two types of damage claims is by far water damage.
- Wind related storms like Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and Tornadoes
- Fires
- Water damage claims
- Roof Leaks (Helping people get a new roof)
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Types of Damage most common to Condominium Buildings
Let me give you some examples of water damage claims in condominiums:
- AC unit leaks
- Pipes break
- Garbage disposal
- Water Heater
- Pipe issues under the sink
- Bathroom leaks
- Kitchen Leaks
- Water Damage from the unit above
Most of the time, the damage didn’t originate in YOUR Condo unit, rather it comes from a neighbor, usually above you.
How can we help in your Condominium Insurance claim?
Sometimes bylaws spell out specifically what Unit Owners are responsible for and what the Association is responsible for.
Things get rather difficult with roof damage claims because The Association can be held responsible for the failure to maintain the roof. This would place the Association as the primary responsible party to pay for all the damages.
You want a public adjuster that can navigate these complex Condo claims and give you the best advice on how to proceed and who to proceed against. I have handled several condominium property damage claims so I know how to deal with The Association.
