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HOA boards often receive insurance communications that are difficult to interpret. Partial payments, reservation of rights letters, and coverage position statements can raise concerns without clearly explaining their practical impact. Understanding these signals is essential to effective claim oversight. Partial payments Partial payments are common in property damage claims. They may reflect: Initial estimates pending further investigation Payments for undisputed portions o

Delayed insurance claims are increasingly common for HOAs. Boards may receive partial payments, repeated requests for documentation, or long periods of silence from carriers. In many cases, it is unclear whether delays are routine or whether something more significant is occurring. An insurance claim audit can help boards answer that question. Why claims stall Claims may slow down for a variety of reasons, including: Incomplete or inconsistent documentation Disputes over sc

HOA boards often view insurance coverage and insurance claims as two separate issues. Coverage is addressed at renewal. Claims are handled only after damage occurs. In practice, however, many of the most frustrating claim problems originate long before a loss ever happens. Insurance audits serve as a bridge between coverage understanding and effective claim management. By clarifying coverage terms, deductibles, and limitations in advance, audits help boards avoid costly surpr

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