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Insurance decisions are among the most significant financial and risk-related responsibilities an HOA board undertakes. Yet many board members are unsure how insurance oversight fits into their fiduciary duties. Understanding this relationship can help boards approach insurance decisions with greater confidence and less anxiety.   What fiduciary duty means in practice Board members are generally expected to act in good faith, exercise reasonable care, and make decisions they

The term “insurance audit” can sound intimidating to HOA boards, particularly when no claim is pending and no dispute exists. In reality, an insurance coverage audit is a straightforward, educational process designed to answer a simple question: does the board understand what coverage the association currently has? An effective coverage audit focuses on clarity, not criticism.   Explaining coverage in plain language Insurance policies are written for legal and underwriting pu

HOA boards today are operating in an insurance environment that looks very different from even five years ago. Premiums are rising, deductibles are increasing, exclusions are expanding, and carriers are scrutinizing claims more closely than ever. At the same time, construction and repair costs continue to climb, placing additional pressure on association budgets and reserves. In response, many HOA boards are shifting away from a purely reactive approach to insurance and adopt

Commercial property owners in California are subject to a wide range of safety and compliance obligations. One question that frequently arises during inspections, tenant improvements, or enforcement actions is whether floor plans are required under California fire regulations. The answer is that floor plans are often required—not as architectural drawings alone, but as part of fire safety and emergency planning obligations under California law. Understanding when and why thes

By Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division INTRODUCTION When homeowners receive an insurance estimate after fire, water, storm, or smoke damage, they often feel blindsided. What they expected to be a straightforward process suddenly becomes confusing, frustrating, and financially overwhelming. The most common source of that frustration? Depreciation. Depreciation is a heavily misunderstood component of property damage claims, and insurers often use that confusion to their a

By Jasmine Daya, Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division INTRODUCTION You pay insurance premiums for years — sometimes decades — expecting that when disaster strikes, your insurer will be there to help you rebuild. But for many homeowners, the reality is far different: the insurance company responds with a shockingly low offer , delays the claim, attributes damage to “wear and tear,” or ignores entire categories of loss. At Geraci LLP’s Property Damage Law division, we see

A Complete Legal, Insurance, and Safety Guide for Fire, Water, Storm, Smoke & Catastrophic Losses By Jasmine Daya, Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division INTRODUCTION Property damage is one of the most stressful experiences a homeowner can endure. Whether it’s a burst pipe flooding your home at 3 a.m., a kitchen fire filling your house with smoke, storm winds tearing shingles off the roof, or a catastrophic event like wildfire or hurricane, the first 24 hours  will determi

By Jasmine Daya, Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division Water damage is one of the most common — and most complex — causes of property loss. Whether the source is a burst pipe, leaking appliance, roof intrusion, storm runoff, slab leak, sewage backup, or flooding from firefighting efforts, water can infiltrate a property in ways that are not immediately visible. Unfortunately, insurance companies often perform superficial inspections, missing or ignoring hidden damage that

September 21, 2025 By Jasmine Daya, Partner & COO, Geraci LLP After more than 20 years as a civil litigator in Canada, focusing primarily on personal injury and insurance disputes, I am proud to now call California my second home and to be firmly entrenched at Geraci LLP, where my passion for advocacy and protecting clients continues to drive everything I do. At Geraci LLP, we have always stood for one thing: protecting private lenders and investors. Now, we’re taking that co