HOA and Condo Association Claims After Hurricane Isaias: Who Claims What
Hurricane Isaias damaged roofs, clubhouses, fences, and common areas across Panhandle communities. For HOAs and condo associations, the first question is always: who claims what? The association, the unit owners, or both? Getting this wrong costs communities serious money.
The Split: Common Elements vs. Units
In most Florida communities, the association’s master policy covers common elements: roofs, exterior walls, lobbies, elevators, clubhouses, pools and pool enclosures, fencing, lighting, landscaping, and parking structures. Unit owners’ HO-6 policies cover interior finishes and personal property. The boundary between the two is defined in the declaration and in Florida Statute 718 for condos. Disputes cluster exactly at that boundary.
Where Associations Lose Money
- Under-scoped roofs: one roof system covers dozens of units. A low estimate multiplies across the whole building.
- Common-area blind spots: adjusters walk the buildings and skip the clubhouse, pool enclosure, perimeter fencing, entry monuments, and site lighting.
- Water intrusion between units: damage inside walls between units falls in a gray zone carriers exploit.
- Landscaping and site work: often covered up to stated limits, often never claimed.
- Loss assessment exposure: when the association’s claim falls short, the shortfall lands on owners as special assessments. A strong claim protects every owner.
Special Assessments Make This Urgent
When insurance pays less than repairs cost, boards levy special assessments. Every dollar recovered from the carrier is a dollar owners do not pay out of pocket. Boards have a fiduciary duty to pursue the full claim. Hiring a public adjuster is part of that duty, not an extravagance.
The Association Playbook
- Document every common element before repairs: roofs, exteriors, amenities, site features.
- Get the declaration and both policies (master and a sample HO-6) reviewed together.
- Build separate scopes per building, not one blended number.
- Track emergency mitigation costs from day one.
- Present one complete, professional claim. Carriers negotiate seriously with documented association files.
The Policyholder Advocacy Group represents HOAs and condo associations across Florida in hurricane claims. If Isaias damaged your community, protect your owners from special assessments with a full claim. Free association claim review: 800.511.2240.