Hurricane & Large Storm Claim Handling Tips For Condo Associations
Property & Casualty
Hurricane & Large Storm Claim Handling Tips For Condo Associations
In the event your condo sustains damage in a hurricane or large storm, Brown & Brown has assembledseveral tips to help guide you through the claim handling process.
- Assign a single point of contact to communicate with the adjuster and manage the claims process. There are many parties involved in a large claim and having one point of contact and someone to keep all the claim information together helps ensure there is no miscommunication or duplicate efforts.
- Take a proactive approach to addressing the loss and claim.
- Set up an internal accounting string to track ALL loss-related expenses. Keep all invoices and estimates and include them with the claim.
- Mitigating your losses is a policy requirement. We suggest customers complete emergency repairs or work that is needed to mitigate further damage right away, even if an adjuster has not yet been on-site. Any non-emergency work or items not related to mitigation should be discussed with the adjuster to confirm agreement on the extent of work to be included within the claim.
- We suggest tasking your contractors with developing the scope of work and pricing based on their site visits and agreements made with the adjuster/consultant. The adjuster will likely put their own estimate together, but having the contractor submit pricing helps to move the process forward and may be required for work to begin.
- Keep the adjuster/consultant in contact with any contractors/vendors (to the extent the Association does not want to act as liaison). Ask the adjuster to identify any:
- Differences in opinion on the scope or pricing of repairs.
- Invoice audit requirements upfront, so vendors are aware of adjuster expectations.
- Additional information needed from vendors to support invoicing.
- Amounts in the agreement for payment, and what is outstanding. This helps keep vendors in the loop on the payment process.
- Review leases for insurance requirements (tenants, leased equipment, etc.) and notify other parties that may be involved.
- Contact OEM or servicing vendor to inspect any machinery/equipment with damage (or suspected damage). Ask them to prepare a report of findings to submit to the adjuster.
