I'm sure there are some very smart guys out there who have created some great working models of an association's inner workings that others could easily emulate. On the other hand, I've been in meetings where many other presidents and Boards of Administration just don't have a clue of where to start when it comes to handling insurance casualties. I want to share a few ideas I have imparted to my owners and Board members. You can take it for what it's worth. If it helps one person out there, then that's a good thing....
To the home owner - It is not necessary nor desirable to call anyone other than your president and insurance company to begin the process of handling an insurance casualty. If your president is unable or unwilling to help you, and you can't reach your insurance company, please feel free to call me or others who will provide you with the necessary guidance. We also have an insurance committee that can advise you of the steps to take. Ed Black, one of the most knowledgeable committee members, is currently working to construct a model for all to follow that will hopefully end any confusion once and for all. Until then, however, I have a few tips that may help you get started.
DO NOT CALL A PUBLIC ADJUSTER! They are used ONLY if a dispute arises between the insurance company and the contractor over the amount that should be paid. If needed, they will come into the picture down the road.
My suggestion to anyone out there who still is unsure of what to do when they have a casualty is to do what we know to do in our association:
1. Stop the damage from continuing! Turn off the water supply, put out the fire, turn off the power, etc. If you don't know where the shutoffs, breakers, or fire extinguishers are, don't wait until you need them to find out. Find out now!
2. Call your president or, in his absence, a Board Member, and give him the details of what happened so he handle the association's area of responsibility and can decide if it is necessary to call the association's insurance company.
3. Call your home owner's insurance company right away. Get a claim number if possible and ask when the adjuster will be out to make a report. Let the president know as soon as you know.
4. While you are waiting for a response from the insurance company, take lots of pictures and video if you can. If you can't, then ask a neighbor who has a camera to take them for you. I have offered to do it in my association. I'll do it for you too if you can't find anyone.
5. Write a handwritten or typed statement about the casualty. Ask yourself the following questions and write the statement around them:
WHO WAS INVOLVED- EYEWITNESSES, PARTICIPANTS, ETC.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED - WHAT WERE YOU DOING AT THE TIME.
WHEN DID IT HAPPEN - EXACT DAY, DATE, AND TIME?
WHERE DID IT HAPPEN -KITCHEN , LIVING RM, UNDER SINK, ETC.
HOW DID THE CASUALTY ACTUALLY OCCUR?
WHY DID THE CASUALTY HAPPEN?
Having this statement will be of invaluable help to both your insurance company and the president and will result, along with the pictures and video, in getting your home repaired much sooner.
NOTE! DO NOT CALL THE PUBLIC ADJUSTER!!!
If you have questions about any of the above, you can call myself, Ed Black (forgive me Ed :-) ), or others who are in the know, call your president if you are an owner, and most important of all, call your home owner's insurance company representative immediately following the casualty.
Hope this helps for now. The insurance committee will have a much better comprehensive model for everyone when it is complete.
Hope this helps a bit!
Lee 561-202-8460
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