Published in the Sun Sentinel
In an article published on June 28 in the Sun Sentinel, Ball Janik LLP Special Counsel Stephen Hauptman and Associate Jake Scott discuss how Florida homeowners, condominium associations, and homeowners associations should prepare for hurricane season before a storm appears on the forecast from a legal perspective. The article highlights the importance of reviewing insurance coverage, documenting property conditions, maintaining buildings and common areas, and taking proactive steps to reduce property damage and avoid insurance disputes.
“The problem is that by the time a storm is approaching, many of the most important preparedness decisions should already have been made. Whether you live in a single-family home, condominium or townhome community, the steps you take before a storm can significantly reduce property damage, improve safety and help avoid insurance disputes afterward,” Hauptman and Scott wrote.
Hauptman and Scott explain that homeowners should review their homeowner’s policy, windstorm coverage, flood insurance, deductibles and coverage limits before a storm arrives. They also advise property owners to create a current inventory of personal property, save important records in a secure cloud-based location, clean gutters and drains, inspect roofs, trim trees and secure outdoor furniture.
“Perhaps most importantly, residents should remember that hurricane preparedness is not a one-week exercise. It is an ongoing process that begins long before a named storm develops in the Atlantic,” Hauptman and Scott write.