Things have stabilized at the Hammocks Community Association near Miami more than three years after local prosecutors began filing criminal charges against previous board members for allegedly defrauding owners of more than $2 million in a financial fraud scheme. Every instance of financial fraud serves as a reminder, professionals say, of the importance of owner vigilance and the need for safeguards and controls.
Community association boards should act now to protect their communities from cybersecurity threats, and can use simple and inexpensive methods to protect sensitive data against cyber crime and breaches, according to an insurance expert. To protect themselves in case of an attack or breach, community associations also should research and invest in cyber crime insurance policies.
As property insurance rates are somewhat stabilizing in 2022, umbrella liability rates continue rising for common interest communities. New challenges are emerging in the insurance landscape, and it is imperative for board members and community managers to partner with credentialed and experienced professionals who will guide them through this social inflation crisis and will help them mitigate liability claims.
While large-scale cyberstrikes are most talked about, community associations should not consider themselves invulnerable. Each community should understand their risks, evaluate cybersecurity protection, and decide whether specialized insurance is worth the cost.
