Contributed by Michael Cuglietta
Whether it is a hurricane colliding into the Blue Ridge Mountains, wildfires incinerating large swaths of Los Angeles County, or a raging flood in Texas, natural disasters are occurring more frequently — and more violently than ever before. In 2024, there were 27 weather events in the U.S. that caused at least $1 billion in damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The only year that topped that was in 2023, which set a record with 28 such events.
Community associations caught in the path of extreme weather find the devastation lingers long after the storm has passed. Costly repairs have depleted reserve funds, exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities, and sent insurance premiums skyrocketing. Although it is not possible for associations to insulate themselves completely from catastrophic weather, there are lessons to be gleamed from those who have been hit that could help mitigate loss and protect owners’ investments.
Boarding up windows, securing furniture, and developing natural disaster prep policies and plans are all essential elements to consider, observers say. Along with physical preparations, Matthew Mercier, CMCA, CIRMS, national director of the community association division at CBIZ Insurance in Sarasota, Fla., says measures also should be taken to make the insurance claims process smoother in the event of damage.
Photo documentation is paramount. He recommends taking 360-degree photos of all common areas and head-to-toe drone footage of building exteriors. He recommends hiring a professional restoration firm to do the work and taking inventory of anything insured and keeping a record of the model number on appliances. If you have receipts, he says, that’s even better. Additionally, an engineering firm should be hired to make a detailed report documenting the shape of the building each year before the season begins so a community can push back if an adjuster denies a claim.
Following these steps could result in a more timely and accurate settlement. “You go from the bottom of claims to the top because an adjuster can knock it out easily. It’s just one less thing (the adjuster) must worry about,” Mercier says.
Experts say it is critical to keep up with maintenance and make as many upgrades as possible from a safety and insurance perspective. “Deferred maintenance is no longer an option. It’s not, ‘I don’t want to raise my assessments.’ You must raise your assessments. Everything costs more,” says Kimberly Lilley, CMCA, CIRMS. Her advice to boards is clear. “Your job is to spend money.”
Due in part to increases in costly weather events, insurance carriers are becoming more selective about who and, in some cases, what they insure. Boards need to consider the insurance repercussions of deferred maintenance in natural disaster prep. Experts say keeping on top of maintenance and upgrades will help keep communities in the good graces of insurance providers and hopefully lessen risks and keep costs controllable.
When shopping for insurance, the early bird gets the worm, according to Lilley. Brokers can start submitting documents to carriers 90 days before the renewal date. She suggests boards stay on top of the process and confirm brokers submit documents on time. Make sure brokers also inform carriers about any upgrades made that might mitigate risk and prove associations have initiative, understand risk management, and want to partner with insurance providers in keeping communities safe, Lilley adds.
Associations that withstand Mother Nature’s wrath will be the ones that are well funded, keep on top of repairs and upgrades, obtain adequate insurance, and have systems in place if and when they find themselves in the path of a natural disaster. Taking proactive measures can help associations weather costly and sometimes devastating events.
Michael Cuglietta is a freelance writer based in Orlando, Fla.
>> Read more about natural disaster preparations in Common Ground July/August 2025.
>> See CAI’s statement and resources on the recent flooding in Texas.
